World – European Union approves Microsoft-LinkedIn deal

The European Union approved Microsoft's $26 billion acquisition of LinkedIn Corp. yesterday, after the software giant agreed to safeguards to assuage antitrust concerns.

The European Commission, the bloc's executive arm, said it was clearing the deal on the condition that, post-merger, Microsoft allowed...

Slovenia – Employers urge government to reduce tax burden and make labour laws more flexible

Slovenian business representatives have called on the government to reduce tax burdens on employers, make labour laws more flexible and to tackle red tape for continued growth in the future, reports the Slovenian Press Agency.

The business representatives, who come from different companies across the...

Sweden – Country needs immigrants to solve labour shortages (SVT Nyheter)

Sweden needs 64,000 immigrants annually if it wants to prevent labour shortages from impeding economic growth, reports SVT Nyheter.

Sweden’s employment agency (Arbetsförmedlingen) director general Mikael Sjöberg has stated that a labour shortage will start to hurt Sweden’s growth as early as next...

UK – Professional salaries in London set to increase in 2017

Average starting salaries for professional roles in finance and accounting, financial services, technology and administration in London will grow by 1.9% in 2017, according to the Robert Half 2017 Salary Guide.

Starting salaries for accountancy and finance roles are predicted to rise on average by 2%...

UK – Legal firms expect workloads and headcount to increase due to Brexit

UK legal firms’ workloads and headcounts are set to rise as a result of Brexit, according to a recent survey from legal recruitment specialist Clayton Legal.

 The survey showed that 62% of respondents indicated that they anticipate workload will increase in at least one of their specialisms now...

UK – Firms respond with concern over published IR35 public sector reforms

Draft legislation for the public sector IR35 reforms was published yesterday and several firms have responded concernedly to the publication of the documents. IR35 legislation reforms were proposed recently during the Autumn Statement.

Julia Kermode, chief executive of The Freelancer & Contractor...

Switzerland – Allegis Group acquires The Stamford Group

Allegis Group acquired Switzerland-based The Stamford Group. A staffing, recruiting and services organisation targeting the IT, engineering, banking and life science sectors.

The Stamford Group, founded in 2001, operates two brands. Stamford Consultants provides recruiting business and technology personnel...

UK – FDYL signs venture agreement with Woodrow Mercer (Business Desk)

FDYL, the Yorkshire-based financial consultancy and recruitment specialist, has signed a venture agreement to merge with recruitment firm Woodrow Mercer, reports the Business Desk. The deal will see FDYL become part of a division of Woodrow Mercer. "We are able to retain the personal involvement...

Ireland – Symphony Technology acquires TempBuddy

Private equity firm Symphony Technology Group has acquired TempBuddy, an Irish-based contingent workforce software provider, effective 23 November 2016.

The announcement was made today. The acquisition follows Symphony Technology’s acquisition of Bond International Software in November.

“The acquisition...

Ukraine – Boyden expands to Kiev

Boyden, the global executive search firm, has announced that it has opened a new office in Kyiv, Ukraine, further expanding its presence in Central and Eastern Europe.

Boyden Ukraine is led by Managing Partner Alexey Dolgikh.

“Our expansion into Ukraine is another strategic step in our firm’s expansion...