Businesses have found they can reduce absenteeism, improve staff morale and productivity and are better able to attract and retain top talent if they adopt more flexible working arrangements. The report from the REC’s Flexible Work Commission, published today, outlines the competitive advantage gained by businesses that adopt less...

Activity among European firms suffered its steepest contraction since June 2009, according to a recent survey.   The Markit Flash Eurozone Purchasing Managers’ (PMI) Composite Output Index fell to 45.9 in September, the lowest for 39 months, from 46.3 in August. The composite figure combines services and manufacturing activity, and...

Six in ten employers don’t offer any routes into their organisation for non-graduates. That’s according to new research by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), launched today at a Department for Work and Pensions Employer Forum hosted by the CBI. The research is the latest output from...

The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) is joining forces with business apprenticeship issuing authority Skills CFA to develop the first Advanced and Higher Level Apprenticeship in recruitment. As part of the Skills CFA’s Pan Sector Partnership that joins leading professional bodies in business skills including Chartered Institute of Personnel...

Global stock markets rise on US Fed stimulus plan. It followed the Fed’s decision on Thursday to inject $40bn (£25bn) a month into the US economy.   But fears over the global economy persisted as the International Monetary Fund and European Central Bank denied they were in bailout talks with...