UK – MPs urge Mike Ashley to cut ties with Transline

UK MPs have called on Sports Direct founder Mike Ashley to cut ties with employment agency Transline, which supplies workers for the sports retailer’s Shirebrook warehouse.

Iain Wright, Labour MP and chair of the Commons Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) select committee, wrote to Ashley saying...

UK – Unemployment rate remains steady following Brexit, wage growth slows

The unemployment rate in the UK remained at 4.9% in the period ending in July, the same as the previous period and down from 5.5% from the same time last year. This period covers the first full month following the EU Referendum, according to data from the Office of National Statistics.

The data showed...

EU – Employment rises in Euro Area for Q2 2016

The number of persons employed increased by 1.4% in the euro area (EA19) and by 1.5% in the EU28 in the second quarter of 2016 compared with the same quarter in the previous year, according to data published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

 Compared with the same quarter...

Germany – Working in temporary sector increases chance of permanent employment

A recent study by the Institute of Employment Research (IAB) in Germany shows that working in the temporary sector increases the chances of permanent employment.

IAB researchers studied temporary workers between 2005 and 2014 and found that Germans who were previously unemployed and took up temporary...

World – Most employers plan to increase hiring in Q4 2016

The majority of employers intend to increase hiring in 42 out of 43 countries and territories through the end of the year, according to the latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey.

The survey states that employer hiring confidence remains strong despite uncertainty associated...

Netherlands – Monster issues statement on MediaNews’ opposition of Randstad takeover bid

Job board operator Monster Worldwide has issued a statement regarding MediaNews Group’s (MNG) continued opposition to Randstad’s announced $429 million takeover bid.

Monster Worldwide stated:

“MNG is not offering Monster stockholders anything for their shares. Instead, MNG, whose ownership in Monster...

World – OECD unemployment rate stable with Spain seeing biggest improvement in Euro area

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development unemployment rate was stable for the second consecutive month, at 6.3%, in July 2016, 1.8% below the January 2013 8.1% peak.

Within the euro area, the unemployment rate fell the most in Spain (down 0.3% to 19.6%) compared to the previous...

UK – FCSA welcomes Minister’s call for probe against Hermes

The Freelancer and Contractor Services Association (FCSA), a trade association representing the UK's specialist contractor accountancy services providers, has welcomed the Business Minister Margot James’ move to ask tax inspectors to investigate alleged complaints of low pay of self-employed couriers...

UK – Construction market rebounds but still faces ongoing skills shortages

The construction market is on the rebound, but ongoing skills shortages continue to pose a threat, according to an analysis by construction and rail recruitment specialist One Way.

One Way found that the majority of building firms have overcome the initial hesitation shown following the Brexit announcement,...

Italy – Gi Group acquires TACK and TMI

Italian staffing firm Gi Group has acquired global training and consulting companies TACK and TMI.

TACK is headquartered in the UK and operates through an international network of partners in 60 countries, from 54 global offices, designing and delivering training and consulting solutions in 35 languages...