Disabled and neurodivergent employees face ‘barriers’ in the workplace
How accommodating is your working environment when it comes to disabilities, chronic health conditions and neurodivergence? New research suggests that there is room for improvement in many UK businesses, with staff experiencing microaggressions, harassment and bullying at work. Disclosure and adjustments Four in 10 people (40%) in the UK with disabilities, chronic health conditions […]
Big rise in women’s average retirement age
Women in the UK are stopping work later in life, and on average both sexes now retire at the same age. But many people who are currently in work have no idea when they will retire — and that includes those over 55. Seven-year shift in retirement The average age of retirement for women has […]
Asking prices fall as Budget hits buyer demand
There was a drop in asking prices for homes coming on to the market this month, but market activity remained stronger than last year. Property website Rightmove reports that average new seller asking prices were down by 1.4% (£5,366) in November. It’s a bigger fall than the 0.8% decline usually seen at this time of […]
Preventing and tackling work-related stress
Staff shortages, unclear instructions, poor teamwork, short deadlines… all these things (and more) can cause workers to feel stressed and anxious at work. This, in turn, can lead to lower productivity and higher sickness absence and staff turnover. Employees suffering from work-related stress, depression or anxiety take an average of 19.6 days off work each […]
‘Lost’ pension savings rise to £31.1bn
Millions of workers across the UK are at risk of missing out on a chunk of their retirement savings because they have lost track of older pension pots. Almost 3.3 million pension pots are currently unclaimed, according to research by the Pensions Policy Institute (PPI), sponsored by the Pension Attention campaign. These lost pensions are […]
Rush of home buyers expected ahead of stamp duty change
People buying a new home in England and Northern Ireland will pay more in tax from next April, after new Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed that the stamp duty holiday will end on 31 March 2025. It means that home sales are likely to jump early next year as buyers rush to complete their purchase before […]
Employees value flexible working over wellness benefits
For an organisation to thrive, its employees need to be healthy and happy. But new research suggests that when it comes to investing in employee wellbeing, employers are putting their budgets and energies into the wrong areas. The survey conducted for Investors in People (IIP), the people management and employee wellbeing accreditation organisation, found a […]
Demand for targeted support at retirement
The pension freedoms have given people the flexibility to manage their pension savings in a way that works best for their individual circumstances and goals. Yet less than a third of those accessing their pension plan discuss their options with a regulated financial adviser. With the UK government and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) currently […]
Drop in mortgage costs boosts home sales
A fall in mortgage rates to the lowest level in 15 months is supporting a rebound in the property market, with home sales agreed up by a quarter compared to a year ago. Data also shows a rise in mortgage approvals as affordability has improved. But which way will mortgage rates go over the next […]
UK startups plan to revamp their employee benefits
Business of all sizes need to look after their employees. Beyond ensuring a safe working environment and paying a fair wage, that means providing working conditions and employee benefits that help staff to stay healthy and happy and to perform at their best. The smallest UK firms increasingly recognise the value of employee benefits for […]