Could a robot do your job?
The majority (76%) of British workers are worried that a robot could do their job. Taxi drivers, factory workers and even those working in shops think that the march of technology will eventually leave them on the scrapheap, according to a survey by Protecting. The poll of workers across all kinds of industries and professions also found that 56% feared their job could be mechanised within the next decade; and 18% said at least some of their work was already carried out by a machine. Only 24% said that they thought their job was "machine proof".
Real wage growth hits new heights
The latest Government statistics show that annual real wage growth is now at 2.7% - the highest it has been since 2007. And there are over 2.4 million more people working in the private sector than in 2010, with annual private sector pay growth now up to 3.3%. The vast majority of the rise in employment in the last year - 85% - has been in full-time work; and the UK's employment rate has seen the largest rise of any G7 economy over the last year.
IoD warns against EU corporation tax "straitjacket"
New EU proposals to harmonise corporation tax rules would hamper healthy tax competition between member states, the IoD has warned. Stephen Herring, IoD head of taxation, said: "Each European government faces different economic pressures and corporate tax is an important tool in helping them adjust to changing circumstances. The EU should not be trying to impose a straightjacket on its members."
SME managers need training to support remote workers
Despite widespread support for flexible working practices among SMEs, managers need training to manage remote workers, according to research by Regus. It has found that 82% of managers in small firms support the idea of flexible working but 67% say they need training to make it work. Richard Morris, UK ceo at Regus, said: "With its benefits to employers and workers, it's no wonder that businesses are increasingly offering remote working options to staff. However, the research findings emphasise the need for regular contact between managers and their team members, and the importance of measuring success by output."