UK – More freelancers, 64%, believe ‘no-deal’ Brexit would negatively impact them

A majority, 64% of UK freelancers believe a “no deal” Brexit would negatively impact their business, according to a survey of 660 freelancers by the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self Employed. When asked a similar question 12 months ago, only 44% of freelancers reported that Brexit...

Germany – Economy may be in recession (Business Insider)

The Germany economy may be in a recession, according to Business Insider. German industrial production fell by 1.9% in November, and year-over-year production hit a low of -4.6%, the biggest drop since 2008, according to Business Insider. German exports fell 0.4% in November. Data from Eurostat published...

Europe – Jaguar Land Rover, Ford, to slash thousands of jobs in Europe (France24)

France24 reports that thousands of auto sector jobs are set to be lost across Europe, Jaguar Land Rover and Ford. Jaguar Land Rover, owned by India-based Tata Motors, will axe approximately 4,500 mostly UK jobs, after a slump in Chinese sales last year. Meanwhile, US carmaker Ford said it planned a major...

UK – Government to review tax avoidance crackdown

The UK Government has promised that it will review the controversial tax avoidance crackdown on employees amid concerns that it could bankrupt contractors.

According to The Telegraph, Liberal Democrat MP Ed Davey secured an amendment to the Loan Charge in the House of Commons on Tuesday which would require...

Netherlands – Value Enhancement Partners acquires Actos Group

Amsterdam-based private equity firm Value Enhancement Partners (VEP) has acquired a majority interest in Dutch staffing firm Actos Groep (Actos Group).

Actos Group was created through the merger of specialist recruitment firms InQuest and Doxa. The company has offices in The Hague, Tilburg and Antwerp,...

Europe – EU28 unemployment falls to its lowest since 2000, euro area rate falls 0.8%

The EU28 unemployment rate stood at 6.7% in November 2018, down from 7.3% in November 2017. This remains the lowest rate recorded in the EU28 since the start of the EU monthly unemployment series in January 2000, according to figures published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union....

World – VMS and MSP provider ZeroChaos rebrands to Workforce Logiq

ZeroChaos this month rebranded to Workforce Logiq. The company said its new branding showcases its focus on business intelligence, artificial intelligence-powered innovation and recruiting models.

Workforce Logiq provides VMS and MSP services as well as independent contractor compliance and risk management,...

UK – Guidant Global: Nearly half of employers look internal to bridge skills shortages

Approximately 47% of businesses in the UK believe that developing staff internally will be their greatest opportunity from a talent management perspective over the next three years, according to a survey by Guidant Global.

The survey of 1,500 UK-based hiring managers also found that 78% of all respondents...

Netherlands – Flexfactory acquires temp employment agency Jobmax

Dutch HR services firm Flexfactory announced that it has acquired Netherlands-based temporary employment agency Jobmax Uitzendburo BV.

No further financial details were disclosed.

Jobmax, founded 19 years ago, mediates professionals in the Netherlands in sectors such as logistics, industrial, commercial...

UK – New permanent staff appointments grow at slowest pace since April 2017

UK employers hired permanent staff in December 2018 at the slowest rate since April 2017, according to the latest Report on Jobs from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation and accountants KPMG.

The report stated that strong demand for staff and greater efforts to secure suitable candidates quickly...