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European Edition
29th April 2024
 
THE HOT STORY
Germany's unemployment expected to rise to highest level in almost a decade
Germany's economic weakness is expected to lead to a surge in unemployment, reaching the highest level in almost a decade, according to a study by the German Economic Institute (IW). The study reveals that unemployment will average just under 2.8m this year, the highest since 2015. However, it is still below the peak in 2005 when almost 4.9m people were unemployed. Companies' employment plans do not indicate any growth for the rest of the year, with the number of newly registered vacancies falling to its lowest level in five years. Germany's unemployment rate is projected to rise to 6% this year. Despite the economic downturn, the number of employed individuals rose by 340,000, attributed to labour hoarding. However, as the period of weakness extends, staffing levels may need to be adjusted, impacting companies' competitiveness.
WORKPLACE
UK employers scale back on flexible jobs
UK employers are reducing the number of flexible job opportunities, which could hinder the reintegration of inactive individuals into the workforce and undermine the recent increase in women's working hours, according to data from Reed Recruitment. The decline in flexible job postings, including those offering part-time and remote work, poses challenges for the government's efforts to ease labour market tightness. Employers are becoming stricter about when and where people work, with a decline in work-from-home jobs and a rise in hybrid positions. Experts argue that part-time and flexible-hour jobs are crucial for attracting people back to work. However, employers are now less likely to offer flexibility compared to during lockdowns.
HEALTH & WELLBEING
KLM employees allowed to wear sneakers at work
KLM employees will soon be allowed to wear sneakers at work. The airline is responding to the demand for more comfortable work shoes, as wearing sneakers under a uniform becomes increasingly common in the industry. Stewardesses already have a choice about the height of their heels, but now they will also have the option to wear sporting shoes. However, employees are only permitted to wear sneakers with trousers, and the colour of the uniform determines which colour sneakers they can wear. The sneakers must be made from smooth (artificial) leather and have a white sole. KLM collaborated with the Dutch clothing brand Filling Pieces to develop its own shoe. This change will take effect from May 6. "Wearing sneakers under a uniform is becoming increasingly common at airlines and suits the current times," said a spokesperson for KLM.
HIRING
KPMG withdraws UK job offers as visa requirements get tougher
KPMG in the UK has revoked job offers from some foreign graduates after tougher visa requirements came into force. Tighter restrictions on immigration have seen minimum salary requirements for skilled worker visa recipients rise from £26,200 (€30,500) to £38,700. Analysis shows that the average yearly salary for a graduate trainee at KPMG ranges from £29,000 to £35,000. Graduates who had their offers revoked were told they could request to transfer to a different graduate programme this year.
RISK
Dutch tax authorities restrict employee access after corruption risks found
Tax authorities in the Netherlands have restricted employee access to internal systems, after a KPMG report revealed that the tax administration was not sufficiently aware of corruption risks. The State Secretary for Tax, Marnix van Rij, announced that the administration is responding to the report's conclusions by limiting employee access to information and enhancing monitoring capabilities. These changes are expected to improve security but may result in delays in providing services to taxpayers. The tax office is taking action to address the corruption risks and ensure a more secure environment.
LEGAL
Male museum worker loses sexism claim after judge finds he treated men and women differently
A male museum worker in Northern Ireland has lost his sexism claim after a judge found that he treated men and women differently in the workplace. Jonathan McMurray claimed he suffered sex discrimination, saying he was subjected to "an abusive rant about gender" during which he was accused of "doing the ****ing bloke thing" in front of visitors at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum in Cultra, County Down, in 2019. However, the judge concluded that McMurray had "irritated" his female co-workers with his behaviour towards them and that the "rant" had not happened as described. The judge noted that McMurray's behaviour at work had been different when talking to men compared to women. The tribunal also dismissed McMurray's claim that his employers should have spotted his autistic spectrum disorder. In his ruling, the judge said: "If anyone had difficulties dealing with the opposite gender, it appears to have been the claimant."
CYBERSECURITY
Cisco says hackers have breached government networks globally
Cisco Systems has said that hackers have subverted some of its digital security devices to break in to government networks globally. The company's Adaptive Security Appliances, which combine various digital defense functions, were found to have vulnerabilities that were exploited by a group of hackers known as "UAT4356." Cisco described the group as a "sophisticated state-sponsored actor" and urged customers to update their software immediately. The breaches date back to earlier this year. Cisco also warned that the hackers were interested in attacking network devices from Microsoft and other vendors. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has not confirmed evidence of this activity affecting U.S. government networks.
TAX
Billionaires should pay 2% wealth tax, G20 ministers say
The world's 3,000 billionaires should pay a minimum 2% tax on their fast-growing wealth to raise £250bn a year for the global fight against poverty, inequality, and global heating, according to ministers from Brazil, Germany, South Africa, and Spain. They argue that a 2% tax would reduce inequality and raise much-needed public funds after the economic shocks of the pandemic, climate change, and military conflicts. The ministers are calling for more countries to join their campaign and French economist Gabriel Zucman is working on the technical details of the plan, which will be discussed by the G20 in June. Mr Zucman commented: "Billionaires have the lowest effective tax rate. Having people with the highest ability to pay tax paying the least - I don't think anybody supports that."
INTERNATIONAL
DHL Express to pay $8.7m to settle discrimination lawsuit
DHL Express has agreed to pay $8.7m to settle a race discrimination lawsuit filed by the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The lawsuit accused DHL's US arm of assigning undesirable delivery routes and heavier lifting to Black employees. The settlement also requires DHL to review and revamp its work assignment policies and internal worker complaint procedures. The EEOC alleged that white drivers who objected to routes in high-crime neighbourhoods were often replaced by Black employees, who were more likely to witness crimes. Additionally, Black workers were reportedly given more physically demanding tasks compared to their white counterparts. The settlement, the largest announced by the EEOC since March 2022, will benefit 83 Black workers who participated in the lawsuit. DHL denied any wrongdoing and stated that it does not tolerate discrimination. As part of the settlement, DHL will undergo monitoring by former EEOC commissioner Leslie Silverman for four years.
Half of Singapore workers would quit jobs requiring more office work, survey finds
Half of Singapore workers are willing to quit their jobs if they are required to work in the office more often, according to a survey by Randstad. The survey found that Gen Z employees were most likely to feel this way. The study also revealed that workers prioritise work-life balance over salaries, even amid concerns about inflation and the rising cost of living. The Singapore government has recently announced that all employers must have a process in place for workers to request flexible work arrangements. The survey also highlighted the importance of social and environmental issues in the workplace, with respondents expressing a desire to work for companies that are sustainable and promote diversity and inclusivity.
World sees near breakdown of international law amidst flagrant rule-breaking, Amnesty says
Amnesty International has warned of a near breakdown of international law due to flagrant rule-breaking, multiplying armed conflicts, and rising authoritarianism. The organisation's annual report highlights the disregard for international rules and values by powerful governments including the United States, Russia, and China. Agnes Callamard, Amnesty's secretary general, described the level of violation as "unprecedented." The report emphasizes the increasing backlash against women's rights and gender equality, as well as the potential threats posed by unregulated technological advancements. Amnesty International is calling for urgent action to protect human rights and uphold international law.
OTHER
World's first Sikh court launches in UK
The world’s first Sikh court has been launched in the UK amid claims that secular judges lack expertise to deal with the religion's sensitivities. Launched last weekend at a ceremony at the Old Hall at Lincoln's Inn in London, the court will operate as an alternative dispute resolution forum for British Sikhs caught in family and civil disputes. Although likely to reignite debate over religious courts, including sharia and Beth Din dispute resolution systems, which operate in the UK for Muslims and Jews, Baldip Singh, one of the court's founders, stressed that it was not a religious tribunal. Unlike Islam and Judaism, Sikhism does not have its own legal code. He said that its purpose will be "to assist Sikh families in their time of need when dealing with conflict and disputes in line with Sikh principles." The new court will operate remotely and in person, and will comprise 30 so-called magistrates and 15 judges, of whom most will be women. The magistrates will mediate between parties to negotiate a settlement, as well as directing them to a course to help them to work on specific issues.
 


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