Human Times

European Edition

3rd December 2025

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THE HOT STORY

RTL to cut 600 jobs in Germany

European broadcaster RTL, part of media conglomerate Bertelsmann, plans to cut about 600 full-time jobs in Germany. The cuts are equivalent to roughly 10% of the broadcaster's German workforce. RTL Germany CEO Stephan Schmitter said the cuts would be implemented in a socially responsible manner through a special severance program and early retirement arrangements. "The media market is undergoing profound change,"Schmitter observed.

Reuters

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TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

Accounting firm looks to place trainees on secondments in hospitality

London-headquartered accountancy firm Azets plans to enhance the skillsets of its trainee accountants by collaborating with the UK's hospitality sector, and is in talks about securing secondments for them. CEO Peter Gallanagh has emphasised the need for accountants to develop soft skills as technology and AI reshape the profession. He said: "Historically, the focus was on financial accuracy and compliance. I'm not saying we lose any of that, but that's now being done by AI and automation." He added: "Many accountants like to be in front of their computer or locked up in a room . . . they can't be like that. They need to be front of house." At a time when other UK accountancy firms have reduced their graduate intake - KPMG, EY, PwC and Deloitte have all cut back over the last two years - Azets increased its intake by 15% in 2025, hiring 384 graduates.

The Times

STRATEGY

Omnicom to cut 4,000 jobs in IPG takeover

Omnicom will cut more than 4,000 jobs and fold several well-known advertising agency brands as part of an immediate restructuring following the completion of its $13bn takeover of US rival Interpublic (IPG). Reuters notes that the ad industry is under threat as artificial intelligence reshapes creative production and tech giants such as Meta make it easier for businesses to develop ads at scale and speed. IPG laid off about 3,200 employees in the first nine months of 2025, and Omnicom last year reduced its staff by 3,000 to about 75,000. "Advertising and technology sectors are undergoing contraction now. It's a tough job market. This announcement makes the market even more crowded," observed eMarketer analyst Ross Benes.

Ad Age

Financial Times

Reuters

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Norway wealth fund to support Microsoft AGM shareholder proposal

Norway's $2trn wealth fund has announced its intention to support a shareholder proposal at Microsoft's annual general meeting advocating for a report on the human rights risks associated with the company's operations in countries with significant human rights concerns. Additionally, the fund, which is Microsoft's eighth-largest shareholder with a 1.35% stake, plans to vote against the re-election of CEO Satya Nadella as chair of the board, advocating for a compensation structure that includes shares locked for five to ten years. The fund emphasised the importance of addressing "material sustainability risks" and has a history of opposing executive pay structures deemed excessive.

Reuters

LEGAL

EU diplomats arrested in fraud probe

Former EU chief diplomat Federica Mogherini and Stefano Sannino, a senior EEAS official, have been arrested during an anti-fraud investigation. Belgian police conducted raids at the European External Action Service and the College of Europe, where Mogherini currently serves. The investigation focuses on potential fraud linked to the EU Diplomatic Academy's training programme for junior diplomats, which was awarded to the College of Europe. The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) suspects that confidential procurement information may have been improperly shared. The EPPO has lifted diplomatic immunity for the investigation, which is ongoing.

Financial Times

The Daily Telegraph

WORKFORCE

Luxembourg's construction sector faces ageing crisis

The construction sector in Luxembourg is ageing, with the average worker's age now 42.7 years, according to a report "Workers are getting wrinkles" by Fondation Idea. The sector is losing its appeal to younger workers due to stagnant wages and demanding conditions. As older workers continue to retire, the sector faces a looming labour shortage, with an estimated 5,000 workers expected to step away in the next five years. Joe Gomes from the OGBL union emphasised the need for improved wages to attract younger talent.

Luxembourg Times

ECONOMY

Stellantis CEO welcomes German move on EU emissions

Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa has endorsed Germany's initiative to relax EU car emissions regulations, saying that such changes are crucial for revitalising the continent's struggling automotive sector. With the European Commission set to reveal a supportive package for the industry on December 10, Filosa noted the importance of flexibility regarding plug-in hybrids and combustion engines amidst challenges including slow electric vehicle adoption. Filosa and Stellantis Chairman John Elkann highlighted the pressing need for regulatory modifications to prevent an “irreversible decline” in the European car industry.

Reuters

RISK

Spain fights to protect pork industry from swine fever outbreak

Spain is battling to maintain its pork exports after the country’s first outbreak of African swine fever in 30 years prompted several countries to limit purchases from Europe’s biggest pig meat producer. Japan and Mexico have suspended all imports of pork and pork products, while China has introduced an embargo on products from the Barcelona region. The disease has led to strict measures across the European Union, and is currently present in Poland, Germany, Italy, Czechia, Slovakia, Estonia, Romania, Croatia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Greece, Latvia, and Lithuania.

Spanish News Today

Financial Times

INTERNATIONAL

Law firm settles long-running lawsuit with sacked HR executive

Alicia Gleeson, the former chief people officer at Slater & Gordon, has reached a settlement with the private equity-owned law firm after alleging that it underpaid employees and wrongfully terminated her. The lawsuit was filed in Australia's Federal Court last year, and the settlement was finalised last week, with both parties agreeing to cover their own legal costs.

Financial Review

India demands installation of government app on all smartphones

India’s telecoms ministry has said Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, and other smartphone manufacturers must ensure that new handsets come installed with a government cybersecurity app, raising concerns about privacy. The Sanchar Saathi app would give Indian authorities access to the phone's call log, memory, and camera. For devices already in the supply chain, manufacturers should push the app to phones via software updates. Apar Gupta, director of the Internet Freedom Foundation, described the app as "disproportionate, legally fragile, and structurally hostile to user privacy and autonomy”. Apple has reportedly indicated that it will resist the mandate, while others, including Samsung, are still reviewing the order.

Business Standard

Financial Times

Reuters

The housing crisis is pushing Gen Z into crypto and economic nihilism

A US study has found that reduced work effort, increased leisure spending and investment in risky financial assets are all disproportionately common among young adults who face few home-ownership prospects.

Financial Times

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