World – Gattaca responds to Reuters’ article, US Department of Justice request

Gattaca plc reported last week that it is responding to a request from the US Department of Justice regarding China-based telecom company Huawei, but could not offer further comment. The announcement was in reference to a Reuters article on an investigation of Huawei that mentioned the company.

“In...

Ireland – Country needs dramatic increase in engineers: report

Ireland must dramatically increase its supply of engineering graduates and apprentices, according to a report by Engineers Ireland. More than 6,000 openings for engineering jobs are expected this year, and 94% of engineering employers consider a shortage of experienced engineers to be a barrier to growth...

UK – Government opens consultation on private-sector IR35 independent contractor tax rules

The UK government is moving ahead with plans to expand IR35 off-payroll rules covering taxation and independent contractors to the private sector. Tuesday, HMRC opened a consultation to gather comments from stakeholders on the proposals for regulation of the private sector use of personal service contractors....

UK – Perm and contingent vacancies for professionals down 4% in January

Vacancies for permanent professionals fell 4% year over year in January while vacancies for contingent professionals also fell 4%, according to a report released today by Staffing Industry Analysts on behalf of the Association of Professional Staffing Companies.

Still, APSCo reported there were pockets...

World – NES Global Talent revenue rises to more than £800 million

NES Global Talent reported revenue rose to more than £800.0 million in its fiscal year ended 31 October from approximately £700.0 million in the previous year, while gross profit was £107.5 million.

The UK-based recruitment firm reported EBITDA rose 29% to £42.9 million.

NES Global also completed two...

Netherlands – Randstad Innovation Fund joins chatbot funding round (Venturebeat)

Randstad nv’s innovation fund was an investor in a US$7.6 million funding round for chatbot firm Wade & Wendy, Venturebeat reported. The chatbot company also recently signed a multi-year deal with Randstad Sourceright. Total funding raised by Wade & Wendy now totals US$11.6 million; the Randstad...

Northern Ireland – Report finds 60,000 jobs at high risk of automation

Nearly 60,000 jobs in Northern Ireland are at high risk of automation, according a study released last month by the Nevin Economic Research Institute. In addition, 58% of all jobs are at risk of substantial change over the medium term because of advancements in automation technology.

Overall, the study...

Germany – Employment holds steady in January compared to last year

The number of employed persons in Germany rose by 1.1% in January compared with the same month last year, Statistiches Bundesamt, the German federal statistical office, reported Friday. The year-over-year rate of change was similar to the previous two months. In total, 44.7 million were employed in Germany...

Europe – UK politicians must decide on Brexit pathway now says German business leader

If the British government can’t find a majority in its lower house this month, then the Brexit process should be stopped, said Joachim Lang, director of the Federation of German Industries, in a statement last week. Stopping the process would be better than an unregulated Brexit with massive economic...

Germany – Adecco on the 18-month temp assignment limit: Staffing Quote of the Week

“The new [German] regulations that limit the temporary staffing maximum assignment duration at 18 months became effective in October of 2018. It meant that associates with a tenure longer than 18 months either need to be hired by the client directly or redeployed to other clients,” said Hans Ploos...