Ireland – GDP forecasts revised down, but positive jobs outlook

Ireland’s GDP is now forecast to grow at a rate 3.7%, down from a previous forecast of 3.9% growth, according to the Irish Business and Employer Confederation’s Q4 Quarterly Economic Outlook. The 2017 GDP forecast was also lowered to 2.8% from 3.2%.

The organization, which represents Irish business,...

Russia – Economic troubles create outsourcing opportunities in this town (AP)

A former Soviet industrial town called Voronezh is finding success with high tech outsourcing as the Russian economy hit a rough patch amid sanctions and low oil prices, according to The Associated Press. The ruble’s troubles have made Voronezh tech workers less expensive and allowed them to compete...

Italy – Leading Staffing firm files for bankruptcy (ANSA.it)

The Court of Modena has confirmed the bankruptcy of the temporary staffing agency Trenkwalder Italia and appointed a trustee, Sido Bonfatti, according to an article in ANSA.it. 

In mid-October Trenkwalder Italia, which is not a subsidiary of the Austrian-based Trenkwalder Group, made arrangements...

Global – Microsoft completes $26 billion LinkedIn acquisition

Microsoft Corp. (NASD: MSFT) completed its $26 billion acquisition of online networking company LinkedIn Corp. (NYSE: LNKD) on 8 December. Microsoft first announced the deal with LinkedIn in June and the European Union gave its approval on 6 December.

“Over the past few months, the LinkedIn and Microsoft...

Germany – Economy on upward path; favourable labour situation

German economic growth is continuing on an upward path, according to a projection by the Bundesbank.

“Its main driver is buoyant domestic demand, which is being bolstered by the favourable situation in the labour market and by rising household income,” said Bundesbank President Jens Weidmann

However,...

UK – Order pickers’ salaries jump 49% in pre-Christmas rush, report finds

Order pickers’ salaries took a “massive” upturn last month, according to Blue Arrow, a recruitment firm specialising in the catering, driving, industrial and office sectors. The recruiter’s November sector report found pickers’ average salary rose 48.7% year over year to £23,427.

However, when...

UK – MD and Rrecruitment firm escape prosecution

The High Court ruled that Northampton Recruitment is innocent of vicarious liability in a fight that left one person with permanent brain damage. The incident took place at 3 a.m. in a hotel following a Christmas party when the managing director of the firm, John Major, twice struck a sales manager,...

UK – SThree publishes trading update, gross profit growth driven by continental Europe

SThree PLC (STHR: LSE) released a trading update for the year ending 30 November 2016.

Group gross profit was up 2%, on a constant currency basis (CC), compared to the previous year and ahead by 6% (CC), excluding the Energy division. The company saw growth in Continental Europe, with an increase of 13%...

UK – Capita announces plan to cut more than 2,000 jobs, issues second profit warning (The Times)

Capita (CPI: LSE) the provider of business process outsourcing solutions and professional support services, has stated that it would cut more than 2,000 jobs and has issued a second profit warning in less than three months, reports The Times. Capita also announced that it would be selling its Asset Services...

UK – Rise in number of NEETs to lead to a new era of assessments by employers

The rise in the number of NEETs in the UK, people aged 16 to 24 who are not in education, employment or training, means employers must revaluate assessment processes sooner rather than later, according to global talent acquisition and management firm, Alexander Mann Solutions.

Responding to the latest...