Industry & Company News

International Day of Persons with Disabilities aims to promote an understanding and focus on the dignity, rights, and well-being of persons with disabilities, and draws attention to the benefits of an inclusive and accessible society for all. Find out about the ways to acknowledge and celebrate this day as well as cultivate an inclusive workplace.

Christmas Jumper Day is an annual fundraising campaign in the UK and Ireland organised by the charity Save the Children. This year, it falls on Thursday 8 December 2022. Find out more about what is involved, how you can help and how to donate within.

'Who are you?' This a routine, mundane question that many of us get asked every time we introduce ourselves to someone. I reply with the rehearsed show I know all too well. 'I'm an outspoken, proud British Pakistani, a social and political inequalities researcher with an MSc and £20,000 scholarship from the London School of Economics (LSE), one of the contributing campaigners to the Justice 4 You campaign, a keen explorer and always found with a book by my side'. That’s quite a mouthful, but one that I feel projects an excellent picture of the Usman most people see today. But, a part of me is missing from the rehearsed show – that I’m a neurodivergent. Full article within.

Welcome to the REC’s Recruitment Industry Status Report over 2021-2022. Every year we survey recruitment businesses across the UK to bring you the latest figures for the value and size of the staffing industry and the number of people we place into work. Read the full report within.

The NFFO Executive Committee has appointed Mike Cohen to take over as Chief Executive of the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations, when current CEO Barrie Deas retires at the end of April 2023. Thewlis Graham Associates are delighted to have worked with the NFFO on this assignment and wish Mike well in the new role. Read the full article within.

Winter solstice is seen as a time of hope, when days become longer and nights shorter. It is also a time to review and reflect on both a personal and a business level. Read the full article within.

The latest KPMG and REC, UK Report on Jobs survey, compiled by S&P Global, showed that labour shortages and concerns over the economy impacted recruitment in November. Notably permanent placements fell for the second consecutive month, and temp billings rose only modestly. Meanwhile, overall vacancies expanded at the softest pace for 21 months. Although candidate supply moved closer to stabilisation, dropping at the softest pace since April 2021, it continued to fall at a historically strong rate overall. Competition for scarce workers and the rising cost of living continued to push up starting salaries and temp wages in November. That said, rates of inflation continued to ease, hitting their lowest for 19 and 18 months, respectively. Full report within.

In September-November 2022, business confidence in the UK economy fell by a further 1% from the previous rolling quarter to net: -70, a new record low. At net: -71 in November, the barometer has been in negative territory for 13 months. Employers’ confidence in making hiring and investment decisions fell by 2% compared to the previous rolling quarter to net: -29. Similarly, the barometer has been in negative territory for 8 months. Read full article within.