Human Times

European Edition

15th September 2026

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THE HOT STORY

Older UK employees hang on for longer

Employment rates for Britons aged 65 and over are at a record high, as longer life expectancy, improved health, the rise in flexible working since the pandemic and cost-of-living pressures all combine to encourage a delay to retirement. The number of Britons in this group topped 1.7m earlier this year - at a time when youth joblessness is close to its highest rate in more than a decade, with almost a million 16-24 year-olds out of work or education. Baby-boomer workers postponing retirement is having a “knock-on effect” on how many jobs are being created for young people, and the UK is contending with what the Bank of England calls a “low hire, low fire” labour market which helps to exclude youth. Meanwhile, AI is viewed to be of most benefit to the older generation. “We have a number of clients who’ve actually approached us saying, ‘we just want to get rid of some junior staff and replace them with AIs’,” says Alessandro De Arcangelis, senior research and policy analyst at law firm Lewis Silkin. “There is more pressure to rely on more senior workers.”

Bloomberg

THE NEW TALENT EQUATION

AI adoption is accelerating, but measurable impact is not.

Organizations worldwide are rapidly adopting AI across Talent Acquisition and workforce planning. Yet while implementation is accelerating, measurable business impact and workforce readiness are struggling to keep pace. New research from Everest Group, based on interviews with senior TA and HR leaders, reveals that many organizations have moved beyond experimentation, but few have successfully translated AI investments into meaningful transformation.

Although AI is already improving efficiency, automating routine tasks, and supporting better decision-making, significant barriers remain. The research explores where organizations are seeing tangible results, why progress often stalls before lasting change is achieved, and how workforce readiness has become a critical factor for success.

Download the report to discover where AI is creating value today, what is preventing organizations from realizing its full potential, and how leading companies are turning AI adoption into measurable business outcomes.

Download the report

STRATEGY

Germany seeks UniCredit guarantees over Commerzbank takeover

German finance minister Lars Klingbeil has met UniCredit CEO Andrea Orcel to seek guarantees over the future of Commerzbank, as the Italian lender prepares to complete a takeover of its Frankfurt-headquartered rival. "It is of paramount importance to the federal government that Commerzbank can continue to fulfil its vital role in financing the German economy," Klingbeil said after the meeting. "We expect Commerzbank to remain a listed company headquartered in Frankfurt and to continue its strong focus on financing small- and medium-sized businesses." German finance ministry spokesperson Maximilian Kall added: "The most important [point] of all . . . regards the over 40,000 employees. We want to protect their interests."

WORKFORCE

Dutch unions seek 5.5% pay rise to tackle high inflation

Trade unions in the Netherlands are calling for a 5.5% pay rise for next year to counteract high inflation, which is currently at 3.3%. FNV, the country's largest labour union, announced its request ahead of the parliamentary session and Budget Day. The union is calling for a basic pay increase and an additional flat payment of €80 monthly for low earners. Jacqie van Stigt, FNV's interim collective bargaining co-ordinator, said: "We see that inflation is rising . . . while productivity is rising, companies are making big profits." FNV also wants to discuss the use of AI in the workplace during collective labour agreement talks. "We see billions being invested worldwide in the further development of AI, and it is also playing an increasingly important role in Dutch workplaces. Our members see that it mainly increases their workload and is being used as an excuse for reorganisations. The introduction of new technology must therefore be properly managed, with 'people before machines'," Van Stigt said.

NL Times

DutchNews.nl

REMUNERATION

European financial firms narrow boardroom pay gap with North America

European financial services companies increased average nonexecutive director pay by 10% in 2025 to $314,148, more than double the 4.5% increase in North America, according to EY. The increase narrowed Europe’s pay gap with North America, where average remuneration reached $350,847, to 10.5% from 15% in 2024, as European firms competed more aggressively for senior talent and international experience. Wealth and asset management recorded the strongest pay growth, at 11.5%, compared with 6.5% in insurance and 4.5% in banking. Europe nevertheless continued to have the widest gender pay gap among the regions studied, with female nonexecutive directors earning 39% less than men, compared with gaps of 30% in Asia-Pacific and 7.1% in North America. Globally, average chair remuneration increased 14% to $755,136, while pay for other nonexecutive directors rose 5.8% to $296,706.

Wall Street Journal

CORPORATE

Novo Nordisk rebrands to ‘Novo'

Novo Nordisk is rebranding itself as "Novo" and updating its corporate culture in a bid to regain market share in the obesity drug sector. The Danish pharmaceutical company described the shift as the start of a new chapter amid fierce competition from Eli Lilly and pressure from investors to introduce new blockbuster products. Novo said it aims to implement new principles focused on clarity and efficiency in its operations. The rebranding campaign, encapsulated by the slogan "Lasting Health Starts Now," seeks to foster trust and relevance with the public. Novo Nordisk will remain the legal name of the company, which has historical roots dating back to a 1989 merger. The company is set to unveil its updated business strategy on September 21.

CNBC

ECONOMY

ING economists warn on Dutch growth

Economists at ING have warned that the Netherlands may not be able to sustain its recent economic growth, highlighting a shortage of labour, infrastructure, and investment as key challenges. Their report says increased government spending has primarily cushioned economic shocks rather than bolstered long-term stability, and infrastructure maintenance has been neglected. Meanwhile, political instability and an ageing population could further complicate future growth prospects, and a tight labour market, an aging population, and lower immigration likewise make it “hard to see where the extra labour hours will come from to produce substantial further growth.”

NL Times

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION

Share of female fund managers falls for the first time in eight years

The proportion of female fund managers has decreased to 12.6%, marking the first decline in eight years, according to Citywire's Alpha Female Report. The number of women in this role fell to 2,283 from 2,371. Sophie Downes, co-author of the report, commented: "The decline is not an isolated anomaly, but the outcome of long-standing failures in how women are supported."

The Times

LEGAL

French court strikes down burkini ban

A court in Nice has overturned a ban on burkinis at beaches in Mandelieu-la-Napoule, saying the prohibition violated fundamental freedoms. The court found that the municipality's justification - claiming burkinis threaten public order - lacked evidence. The judges noted that only two incidents from over a decade ago had been cited, and concluded there was no proof that burkinis posed any risk to beach-goers. The town's conservative mayor has repeatedly renewed the ban since its imposition in 2012.

Daily Sabah

RISK

Ukraine ready to de-escalate if Russia halts strikes

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that his country is prepared to halt attacks on Russian energy infrastructure if Moscow reciprocates. The announcement followed US President Donald Trump's claim of an agreement between the two nations. Zelensky highlighted the increasing intensity of Russian strikes on Ukraine's rail network, which he described as worsening weekly. He noted that while Ukraine is ready to support de-escalation, there has been no genuine indication from Russia to end the conflict. In his daily address, Zelensky highlighted "a strong proposal from the United States regarding a mutual halt to strikes on critical infrastructure," adding: "If this can become the first de-escalatory step – stopping Russian strikes on our critical infrastructure, and ours in response – then Ukraine is ready to support de-escalation."

France 24

INTERNATIONAL

Micron's Taiwan workers to receive rewards worth up to 68 months of pay

Micron staff in Taiwan are to get bonuses worth up to 68 months of pay for fiscal 2026 as the US semiconductor manufacturer contends with widespread support among union members for a strike. The company said the payouts were its strongest ever; more than 60,000 employees globally will receive fiscal 2026 rewards “following an extraordinary year.” The Taoyuan union said it was still seeking changes to Micron’s rewards system that would allocate 15% of operating profit to workers' bonuses.

CNBC

OTHER

Growing calls for action against smart glasses

Calls for action against smart glasses are intensifying in Europe following reports of covert filming of women and girls. Norway's capital Oslo banned the glasses in schools last week as the government weighs regulation of their use and considers a ban on features that enable facial recognition in public. France's CNIL data protection watchdog has urged "vigilance," and a UK petition is demanding a ban on their sale. Smart glasses manufacturer Meta said it has implemented measures to prevent misuse, but critics remain sceptical. The European Commission says it is monitoring the situation, with a report on the glasses' social acceptability expected soon.

France 24

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