UK – Employers remain cautious about hiring amid political uncertainty

UK employers’ confidence in making hiring and investment decisions remained stable in the quarter ended June 2019 when compared to the previous rolling quarter, staying at net +1, according to the latest Jobs Outlook from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation.

At the same time, the net balance...

UK – Recruitment agency workers allowed exploitation of more than 40 workers

Two recruitment agency workers based in the UK allowed the exploitation of workers who were being controlled by a gangmaster.

According to the BBC, there were 41 "extremely vulnerable" Romanians found after raids in Liverpool in March 2018. The raids were organised to tackle suspected labour...

World – Robert Half revenue rises in second quarter but growth slows in international markets

Second-quarter revenue rose 5.6% at Robert Half International Inc. (NYSE: RHI) on a same billing-day, constant-currency basis to $1.51 billion, ahead of market estimates.

Temporary gross margins expanded driven by better pricing and lower payroll taxes.

UK – Empresaria trading update: net fee income up 6% in constant currency

Empresaria Group published a trading update today for the six months ended 30 June 2019 reporting net fee income growth of 7% and 6% in constant currency. 

Net fee income by sector was broken down as follows. 

Netherlands – Competition authority says freelancers can make agreements on pay

The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets announced yesterday that freelancers can make collective agreements about their pay in order to obtain a minimum income.

The Authority’s draft guidelines refers to freelancers and self-employed persons without employees. Its guideline is in line with...

Switzerland – Michael Page Swiss Job Index sees 15.2% increase in July

The number of advertised throughout Switzerland grew by 15.2% in July 2018, year-on-year, according to the Michael Page Swiss Job Index. Monthly growth across Switzerland stood at 1.1%.

Swiss Romande led monthly growth with an increase of 5.8% while job vacancies increased by 0.4% in German-speaking Switzerland...

Ireland – Job vacancies tumble in Q2: Irishjobs.ie

The number of job vacancies in Ireland decreased by 4% during the second quarter of 2019 when compared to the same period last year, according to the Q2 2019 IrishJobs.ie Jobs Index.

When compared to the previous quarter, total job vacancies fell by 2%.

The Index said the drop in vacancies was due to the...

Spain – Madrid court rules Deliveroo riders are employees, not freelancers (Reuters)

A Madrid court ruled yesterday that couriers for online food delivery firm Deliveroo are company employees, not just freelancers, reports Reuters. The ruling paves the way for workers to demand a formal contract and corresponding benefits. Gig economy workers such as food couriers do not receive full...

World – Randstad Q2 revenue dips due to weakness in Europe

Randstad (RAND: NV) today reported revenue for the second quarter ending 30 June 2019 of €5.9 billion, down 1.7% on an organic basis compared with €6.0 billion a year ago. The results were slightly below analysts’ forecasts.

Revenue was hit by challenging macroeconomic conditions in Europe, with...

UK – Resource Solutions Group completes acquisition of Sopra Steria’s UK recruitment business

Paris-based Sopra Steria (EPS: SOP) announced that it completed the sale of its recruitment subsidiary in the UK to Resource Solutions Group’s subsidiary Sanderson Recruitment.

The deal was first announced in June 2019.

According to Resource, the deal will boost Sanderson’s group revenue to more than...