At a glance: reward and benefits headlines this week 31 December 2021 - 6 January 2022
Here are the headlines you might have missed between 31 December 2021 and 6 January 2022.
Top ten HR trends for the 2022 workplace
Forbes: As we enter 2022, changes in how we work, where we work, who we work with, why we work, and the technologies we use are in continual flux. Many of these changes started prior to the pandemic, were accelerated by it, and have become permanent aspects of the workplace. Here is my countdown of what you should include on your HR roadmap for 2022. Read more
WFH staff won't use heating due to price hikes
HR Grapevine: Whilst many remote workers have found that commuting costs have flattened due to working from home, it seems that other costs are becoming an increasing concern for many, especially throughout the winter months. In fact, more than one in five employees will not turn the heating on while working from home due to concerns around energy costs. Read more
Mental health first aiders will be a must on the journey ahead
The HR Director: UK businesses are committing greater efforts and finances to the provision of mental health support in the workplace in response to Covid and “The Great Resignation”. A new survey of 1,000 key decision makers in business revealed what companies are doing in order to combat the mental health crisis. Read more
Mental ill-health made up half of work-related illness in last year, research reveals
People Management: More than 800,000 people experienced work-related stress, anxiety or depression in 2020-21, a new report from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has revealed, with 451,000 of those being newly reported this year. Read more
One in four staff plan early retirement at age of 60
Employee Benefits: A quarter (25%) of people planning to retire early have a target to leave work on their 60th birthday, research has revealed. The survey of 2,000 people by insurance provider Aviva also found that 17% of those who had already chosen to exit the workforce ahead of receiving their state pension had done so at the age of 60, making it the most common time to do so. Read more
Men need workplace menopause support too
The HR Director: Three quarters (74%) of HR leaders believe that all male employees should be encouraged to better understand menopause to support their menopausal colleagues. Research also highlighted that 68% of HR leaders felt that, when relevant, men should be able to access menopause support to help their partner. Read more
Long-term rise in mental-health related fit notes at work due to pandemic isolation
City A.M.: A long-term increase of around 5 per cent in the proportion of fit notes issued for mental health reasons is a direct result of increased anxiety around working during the pandemic and three harsh lockdowns in the UK, according to new data shared exclusively with City A.M. Read more
Are we experiencing the death of the office friendship?
HR Grapevine: A recent poll by Gazprom Marketing & Trading found that 21% of respondents thought working from home had affected their mental health, with 41% saying that not being able to socialise with colleagues is what they missed most. Read more
Desktop PC sales rebound as pandemic work evolves
Wall Street Journal: Demand for desktop computers has increased as some employees return to the office, and others consolidate their work-from-home setups. Read more
Parents struggling with childcare costs
HR Magazine: One in eight (13%) British workers has had to opt for part-time hours to manage the cost of childcare. A survey by comparison website MoneySuperMarket of parents of 0-14 year-olds also found that nearly two in 10 (18%) use savings to pay for daycare, and one in 10 (9%) manage the expense by using a credit card. Read more
Warning over worker welfare on 2022’s first day ‘not back in office’
Workplace Insight: The 4th January was the first working day of 2022 for many employees, but due to ongoing working from home restrictions the majority will not be attending their usual workplaces. According to the latest research from the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM), the majority (73 percent) who took a break over Christmas were content or excited to return to the office this week. Read more
Government trials framework to help people with autism find work
Personnel Today: Jobcentre Plus sites are testing an autism framework that is hoped to help more people with autism find, retain and progress in fulfilling jobs. Work coaches will have a role in educating employers about the additional requirements job candidates with autism might require. Read more
New bill seeking auto-enrolment extension to be introduced to parliament
Corporate Adviser: In Parliament today, Richard Holden, MP for North West Durham, will seek to introduce a Private Members Bill calling for working 18-year-olds to be automatically enrolled, and for the £10,000 earnings trigger to be scrapped, so that low-income workers can benefit from automatic enrolment into their company pension. Read more
U.K. employers encouraging staff to try ‘Veganuary’
Benefits Canada: U.K. employers are encouraging staff to try a vegan diet for the month of January. More than 75 organizations have signed on to the “Veganuary” workplace challenge, which encourages employees to try a diet free of animals or animal-derived products for the first 31 days of 2022. Read more
Guidance released to assist employers with hybrid working
SHRM: The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has published new practical guidance on hybrid working. The guidance covers areas as varied as recruitment, health and safety, and ensuring policies and practices are inclusive and fair. Read more
Above all else health and wellbeing support should be comprehensive
The HR Director: With health and wellbeing being better understood and appreciated, we predict that 2022 will see an even greater number of employers extend their employee benefits programmes. Read more
Utilise health and wellbeing support to give staff the January reboot they desperately need
HR News: Employees have had a very unsettled time recently. The New Year is a good opportunity to re-set and to offer staff the boost they need to be able to face 2022 with a positive and productive outlook. Read more
How HR can support staff hit by pension age chaos
HR Grapevine: A new survey has revealed that the majority of fortysomethings are unaware that the age they can claim their private or workplace-based pension is set to rise from 55 to 57 in six years’ time – a significant change that could affect them. Read more