Employee Engagement

One-third of UK employers to cut pay rises in 2025 amid rising employment costs

A recent survey by Towers Watson reveals that a third of UK employers plan to scale back pay rises in 2025, citing rising employment costs following last year’s budget changes. The National Insurance Pulse Survey showed that salary budgets fell...

GoTo enhances contact centres with AI-driven quality management

GoTo has introduced AI Quality Management for its GoTo Connect Contact Centre—the latest tool that leverages generative AI to automate reporting and analysis. This solution transforms how businesses train and coach their customer service teams by delivering instant, actionable insights. “With...

Elon Musk’s shake-up, hidden hustles, and the widening class pay divide

Musk’s federal workforce overhaul sparks controversy Elon Musk, appointed by President Trump to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), has ordered federal employees to list their weekly accomplishments or face resignation. The directive, announced on X, has sparked backlash, with...

Hospitality industry braces for job cuts amid tax hike

A significant number of hospitality businesses are preparing to cut jobs in response to an upcoming increase in employer National Insurance contributions, which will take effect in April. A recent survey by the British Beer and Pub Association, the British Institute...

Challenges for UK businesses: legal risks, job cuts, and ROI justification

Workplace ‘banter’ poses legal risks for employers    Workplace banter continues to challenge businesses, with 57 tribunal cases last year linked to discrimination and harassment, according to GQ Littler. Allegations included racist, sexist, and inappropriate remarks, often dismissed as harmless jokes. Employment...

HR under scrutiny, experience trumps location and closing the 50+ gender pay gap

Leaders voice doubts about HR and marketing effectiveness  Nearly half (45%) of business leaders question professionalism in HR, marketing, and sales, according to the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM). Professional development is seen as key to improving perceptions. HR professionals must...

The modern workplace: forced office returns, pretty privilege, and gen Z’s self-diagnosis

UK workers face increasing office attendance mandates  Nearly 90% of UK workers are now required to come into the office more frequently, according to Virgin Media O2’s latest report. Most employees must attend on Mondays and Wednesdays, with nearly half also...

CX at large: travels of a globetrotting consultant

Welcome to the first post in CXM’s new regular series. A CX-inspired travelogue that keeps tabs on customer experience practitioners as they deliver their services to businesses around the world. First up is Ian Golding, a long-time friend of CXM...

Gen Z employees push for less office time, embrace remote work

A new study by The Times revealed that only 10% of Generation Z employees (ages 18-27) are interested in working full-time in the office, and more than half admit they feel less industrious than older generations. The study focused on the...

Redundancies on the rise as employer costs soar 

According to new research by the CIPD, almost a third (32%) of UK employers are planning redundancies or reducing hiring due to rising employment costs. This shift marks the highest increase in redundancy plans in the past decade, excluding the...

Voodooism protected, Labour MPs’ WhatsApp scandal, and AI restrictions in workplaces  

Voodooism recognized as protected religious belief in UK tribunal  An employment tribunal ruled for the first time that voodooism is a protected religious belief under UK workplace equality laws. The decision came in the case of a council worker who sued...

One in ten sales pros will secretly juggle multiple jobs by 2028

According to Gartner, by 2028, one in ten sales professionals will leverage AI-driven efficiency to work multiple jobs secretly. As artificial intelligence continues to automate routine tasks, sellers will find themselves with surplus time—some of which may lead to “overemployment,”...