Europe – Euro area and EU28 unemployment rates fall in December

The euro area (EA19) seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate stood at 7.9% in December 2018, down from 8.6% in December 2017. This remains the lowest rate recorded in the euro area since October 2008, according to Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

The EU28 unemployment rate was 6.6%...

Netherlands – MPs reject an increase to the probationary period (Dutchnews.nl)

Dutchnews.nl reports that plans to increase the probation period for new employees in the Netherlands from two to five months in an effort to encourage employers to offer workers a permanent contract will not gain a majority in the Dutch Parliament. The plan, which was proposed by Minister of Social...

World – ManpowerGroup fourth-quarter revenue falls; suggests Europe is slowing down but not in recession

Fourth-quarter revenue fell 0.7% on a constant currency basis at ManpowerGroup Inc. (NYSE: MAN). Chairman and CEO Jonas Prising cited a more challenging environment, particularly in Europe. ManpowerGroup also reported that its results were affected by the sale of its language translation business in...

World – SIA names its first Chief Operating Officer, Ursula Williams

Ursula Williams has been appointed the first Chief Operating Officer of Staffing Industry Analysts, overseeing all the company’s commercial operations. The promotion took effect 1 January 2019.

“Ursula’s people-first, highly customer-focused mindset and strategic strengths continue to be of great...

UK – BBC director admits pushing staff into becoming freelancers

BBC director general Lord Tony Hall admitted during an evidence section with the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that his staff were forced to set themselves up as personal services companies (PSCs).

Hall has publicly apologised to staff who have been forced to change their employment status, causing...

Poland – Work Service to sell its Czech and Slovakian units

Polish contract, RPO, and outsourcing company Work Service announced that it has begun the process of selling its foreign subsidiaries including Work Service Czech Work Service Slovakia, as well as Work Service SK, and Work Service Outsourcing Slovakia, which are part of Work Service Slovakia.

Work Service...

People – CV-Library, Alma Career, Onezeero

UK-based jobs site CV-Library announced key changes to its management team. Founder Lee Biggins, who has held the position of sole Managing Director since 2013, has taken on a new role as CEO, while Deputy Managing Director, John Salt, is now Managing Director. Salt previously worked as Group Sales &...

World – Robert Half Q4 revenue up 10% amid robust market, skill shortage

Fourth-quarter revenue rose 10.1% at Robert Half International Inc. (NYSE: RHI) amid a robust labour market and demand fueled by the skills shortage, according to the company. Revenue was up 10.3% on a constant-currency, same-billing day basis.

Temp staffing revenue rose 7.1% in the fourth quarter while...

France – Synergie Q4 revenue boosted by domestic and international operations

Paris-based staffing firm Synergie reported fourth-quarter revenue rose 5.1% to €659.2 million. The group reported growth in both domestic and international operations.

France – Groupe Crit fourth-quarter revenue rises 2%

French staffing firm Groupe Crit reported revenue increased by 2.0% in the fourth quarter when adjusting for constant currency and acquisitions to a total of €632.7 million.

The company also reported revenue for the full year 2018 of €2.49 billion, up 3.7% when adjusting for constant currency and...