“When you explicitly put shareholders at the top of the pecking order, the others don’t make out as well.”
Gig economy growth in America remains limited, with only about 15% of workers relying on alternative work as their primary income. Expert Rick Wartzman argues that universal basic income is unlikely without a cultural shift away from shareholder-focused individualism toward collective responsibility.
Before we fix the gender pay gap, let’s fix gender opportunities
A survey reveals that 98% of working mothers want part-time roles, yet only 8.7% of jobs paying £20,000+ offer flexible options. With 71% of respondents holding bachelor’s degrees, excluding highly qualified women from the workforce represents a significant loss of talent and economic potential.
The case for and against: should we get rid of unpaid internships?
Unpaid internships offer valuable work experience and industry exposure, particularly in competitive fields, though they raise concerns about excluding candidates who cannot afford to work without pay. This debate examines both the benefits and drawbacks of unpaid internships in modern workplaces.
The grey area of the parent trap and the failure of work to tackle it
Workplaces operate in two fundamentally different ways: task-oriented systems where work and life blur together, and clock-based systems that strictly separate work hours from personal time. This article explores how modern employment fails to accommodate the grey area between these models, and how this divide became artificially entrenched during the Industrial Revolution.
“It’s nice to have an ad-hoc conversation where you can help someone”
Freelance HR consultant Giles O’Halloran shares how he balances client calls, drop-in HR surgeries for SMEs, and ad-hoc consultations throughout his typical workday, showcasing the flexibility and variety of modern HR consulting.
Book review: Thinking Machines by Luke Dormehl
Luke Dormehl’s Thinking Machines explores the history and future of artificial intelligence, examining its impact on jobs and daily life. The book demystifies AI myths and explains how intelligent technology already exists in everyday applications, offering a clear introduction to the subject for business professionals and HR audiences.
Why employees resign: recognising disengagement, and what to do about it
Discover why employees resign based on Leigh Branham’s analysis of exit interview data. This guide reveals seven key reasons for disengagement—from unmet job expectations to poor management—and actionable strategies employers can use to improve retention and workplace engagement.
Recruiting for a role with an 85 year old legacy at stake
Great Ormond Street Hospital is recruiting a new Peter Pan Lead to manage the 87-year-old copyright legacy that J.M. Barrie gifted to the children’s hospital. The role requires expertise in licensing, intellectual property law, and unwavering commitment to preserving both the charity’s mission and Barrie’s original vision.
Unpicking Angela Merkel’s ‘connected’ leadership style
Angela Merkel’s response to the refugee crisis revealed her as a bold, values-driven leader willing to prioritize principle over short-term political gain. Her “connected leadership” style emphasizes authenticity, collaboration, and long-term purpose rather than opinion-poll calculations.
Book review: will the future workplace still need you?
This slim essay explores how artificial intelligence and automation may reshape the future workplace, arguing that traditional employment is being eroded by robotic workers. The author suggests focusing careers on leisure, health, teaching, and engineering sectors, though the review notes the book lacks persuasive evidence and practical career guidance.
Six questions to match candidate and employer expectations
Learn six key interview questions that reveal candidate priorities and motivations, helping employers assess compatibility with job requirements and company culture. These questions uncover applicant expectations around career growth, work environment and values to ensure a good match.
How to change the way you feel about work
Discover five measurable elements grounded in positive psychology that can transform your workplace experience by increasing motivation, engagement, and personal fulfillment while building organizational competitive advantage.
It’s time to remember the value that middle managers bring
There’s so much rich insight coming out of the academic sector that HR professionals need to know. At Academics’ Corner we feature the best HR researchers that tell you what they’ve found and what you need to do differently on the back of the research. Get connected to the academic sector through Academics’ Corner and […]
Job specifications – too many boxes to tick?
Job specifications often become overly detailed wish lists that narrow candidate pools unnecessarily. By focusing on core skills and transferable qualities rather than specific technical requirements, organizations can access more talented candidates and improve recruitment success.
The Science Museum has chosen a brilliant name for their staff members
The Science Museum in London calls its staff members “Explainers”—a job title that clearly communicates their core purpose of enhancing public understanding of science. This single word conveys the organization’s values, guides employee performance expectations, and helps leaders develop targeted training and hiring strategies based on specific communication and teaching skills.
UK salaries grow for first time since downturn
UK salaries rose 0.9% year-on-year in July, marking the first increase since the recession, according to jobs website Adzuna. The average advertised salary reached £33,873, while job vacancies grew over 25%, though London saw a slight decline in wages.
Social media screening – is it ethical?
Employers increasingly screen job candidates’ social media profiles during recruitment, raising ethical concerns about privacy and fairness. While recruiters argue public platforms allow legitimate candidate research, critics question where the line between necessary vetting and invasive monitoring should be drawn.
How will new technology affect the digital jobs market in 2014?
New technology is reshaping the digital jobs market in 2014, with emerging fields like Big Data and social media marketing expanding opportunities beyond traditional web development. The European Commission projects around 900,000 IT-related vacancies across Europe by 2015, reflecting rapid sector growth.
Why your job description is a lie
Job descriptions don’t capture the real challenges of work. Beyond formal duties, employees must manage change, navigate workplace politics, and collaborate across obstacles—yet this “hidden curriculum” goes unspoken and unrewarded, creating frustration and missed opportunities for support.
A guide to creating employment ads that stick to the rules
Learn how to create compliant employment ads that attract the right candidates without misleading applicants. Discover the Advertising Standards Authority rules, common violations like misleading job titles and salary claims, and best practices for writing effective recruitment ads.
