Human Times

European Edition

14th January 2026

THE HOT STORY

CEOs shoulder the burden alone

Chief executives are contending with "mounting pressure and [are] increasingly bearing the weight of that accountability alone" as other senior staff do not share the same urgency, according to a study by consulting firm AlixPartners. The survey of 3,200 executives across 11 countries revealed that 70% of CEOs are facing pressure from high levels of disruption or challenges to their businesses, while less than 40% of their C-suite colleagues share this sentiment. In the UK, over 40% of CEOs believe their leadership teams lack the agility to keep pace with their competitors. Warning of a "growing disconnect" at the top of businesses, Rob Hornby, co-CEO of AlixPartners, said: "Today's CEOs are full-time stakeholder managers, grappling with a relentless and increasingly complex wave of disruptive forces."

The Times

REPORT

Have Better Employee Conversations

Employee relations hinge on more than policies and processes. They depend on honest, human conversations.

This practical playbook shares 11 carefully crafted questions designed to help HR leaders move beyond rehearsed answers and surface what really matters to people at work. Whether you’re handling a performance discussion, supporting a new hire, or navigating a sensitive issue, the questions help reduce tension and encourage genuine dialogue.

Built for real-world HR interactions, the guide focuses on understanding motivation, concerns, and individual context, without turning conversations into interrogations. The result is stronger relationships, clearer communication, and more effective outcomes for both employees and the organisation.

Ideal for HR professionals looking to bring empathy, clarity, and confidence into everyday employee relations.

Download the playbook

STRATEGY

Citigroup set to cut about 1,000 jobs

Citigroup is set to cut about 1,000 jobs this week as part of a plan announced two years ago to reduce its workforce by 20,000 by the end of this year. “We will continue to reduce our headcount in 2026,” a Citigroup spokesperson said. “These changes reflect adjustments we’re making to ensure our staffing levels, locations and expertise align with current business needs; efficiencies we have gained through technology; and progress against our transformation work.”

Bloomberg

Reuters

ECONOMY

French farmers block Paris with tractors in protest against trade deal

French farmers have staged a second major tractor protest in Paris within a week, rallying against the EU-Mercosur trade agreement which they say undermines local agriculture by enabling cheaper, lower-standard imports from South America. Around 350 tractors, organised by the FNSEA union, converged near the Arc de Triomphe and the French parliament, demanding the deal be scrapped. Farmers plan further demonstrations, including at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on January 20th, as discontent grows over trade policy and broader agricultural challenges.

France24

Reuters

HIRING

UK job market faces uncertainty as demand drops

The UK's jobs market showed a decline in December, with both permanent and temporary positions falling. The KPMG and Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) survey indicated a four-month low in permanent placements and a rise in worker availability. Neil Carberry, REC chief executive, noted that business confidence must improve for hiring to recover. The unemployment rate reached 5.1% in Q4, the highest in four years, with predictions of it rising to 5.5%. Jon Holt, group chief executive of KPMG, said: "The jobs market is still signalling caution . . . [bosses] who have been prioritising increased investment in tech to improve resilience and productivity will be looking for signs of greater confidence in the wider economy before turning the hiring taps back on."

Defence jobs boom as Germany’s arms companies go on hiring spree

German defence contractors have gone on a hiring spree over the past four years, boosting employment by nearly a third, as the EU’s largest economy embarks on a massive rearmament.

Financial Times

HEALTH & WELLBEING

New EU-wide protections against PFAS in drinking water

Under new rules, EU member states must now monitor, in a harmonised way, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) levels in drinking water to ensure compliance with the new EU limit values under the recast Drinking Water Directive. They will also have to inform the Commission of these monitoring results. This includes data on exceedances of the limit values, incidents and any granted derogations. “PFAS pollution is a growing concern for drinking water across Europe. With harmonised limits and mandatory monitoring now in force, Member States have the rules and tools to swiftly detect and address PFAS to protect public health,” said Jessika Roswall, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and Competitive Circular Economy.

European Commission

Menopause symptoms have economic consequences.

In Germany, over nine million working women are of menopausal age, and face symptoms that can hinder their productivity. A survey by Andrea Rumler from the Berlin School of Economics and Law found that menopausal symptoms cost the German economy approximately €9.5bn annually, resulting in 40 million lost working days. Many women feel unable to discuss these issues at work, with over half saying menopause is a taboo topic. Companies are urged to provide support, such as flexible working hours and education on menopause, to retain skilled workers. Rumler said: "Many women in this phase of life are suffering at work."

Deutsche Welle (EN)

LEGAL

Google employee in UK made redundant ‘for reporting sexual harassment’

Senior Google UK employee Victoria Woodall claims she was made redundant after she blew the whistle on a manager who had apparently told a female client about being a swinger and showed another an intimate picture of his wife. Woodall told an employment tribunal she was subjected to a campaign of retaliation by the company after whistleblowing on the man who was later sacked. Google denies retaliation against Woodall and argues she became "paranoid" after whistleblowing and began to view normal business activities as "sinister." Woodall says her boss subjected her to a "relentless campaign of retaliation."

The Times

BBC News

TECHNOLOGY

Law firm empowers juniors with AI

Law firm Ropes & Gray is allowing junior lawyers to spend 20% of their billable time on "hands-on AI exploration." The initiative aims to equip newly qualified and trainee solicitors with skills in testing AI tools and developing best practices. The firm will provide specialist training and mentorship from AI-savvy partners. Jane Rogers, a partner at Ropes & Gray, said the scheme will expand to the firm's European offices.

City AM

The Times

LEADERSHIP

Central bank chiefs unite behind Jay Powell amid probe into Fed chief

Central bank governors from 11 major institutions, including the European Central Bank, Bank of England, and Bank of Canada, have issued a joint statement backing U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jay Powell as he faces a criminal investigation into a $2.5bn Fed headquarters renovation. The show of solidarity comes amid concerns that the probe, launched by the Trump administration, threatens the Fed’s independence. Mr. Powell has called the investigation a political pretext to undermine monetary policy autonomy.

Financial Times

Reuters

INTERNATIONAL

Target faces hometown backlash as ICE detentions spark protests

US retailer Target is under growing pressure in its hometown of Minneapolis after federal immigration agents detained two US citizen employees at a suburban store, triggering protests and calls for the retailer to take a stand. Video of the incident went viral, prompting local officials and activists to demand that Target protect workers and shoppers from ICE actions on its premises. Though Target has yet to issue a public statement, it has advised staff to avoid interference with law enforcement and reinforced that agents need a warrant to access private areas. Similar incidents have occurred at other major retailers in the region, including Walmart and Home Depot, amid rising tension over federal immigration enforcement in public retail spaces.

CBS News

Wall Street Journal

Nigeria set to pass law that would regulate AI

Nigeria is set to pass legislation that would regulate artificial intelligence and provide regulators with new powers over data, algorithms and digital platforms. The National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill would mandate greater scrutiny for higher-risk AI systems and require developers to file annual impact assessments. The proposed law would establish ethical standards for transparency, fairness and accountability, and the regulator would be granted powers to demand information, issue enforcement directives and suspend or restrict AI systems that are deemed unsafe or non-compliant.

Bloomberg

The Human Times is designed to help you stay ahead, spark ideas and support innovation, learning and development in your organisation.

The links under articles indicate original news sources. Some links lead directly to the source material. Others lead to paywalls where you may need a subscription. A third category are restricted by copyright rules.

For reaction and insights on any stories covered in the Human Times, join the discussion by becoming a member of our LinkedIn Group or Business Page, or follow us on X.

Online

Advertise

This e-mail has been sent to [[EMAIL_TO]]

Click here to unsubscribe