Employment News

Employers ‘aren’t bothering to verify candidates’ CV claims’

People Management – 18 January

A recent BBC investigation has revealed that numerous employers and HR teams are not verifying the qualifications on applicants’ CVs and many employees are falsifying qualifications and degrees. According to Research by the Risk Advisory Group, 32% of the CVs they analysed from 25-32 year olds ‘had been falsified’.

46% have access to a flexible working scheme

Employee Benefits – 17 January

In a recent survey of 2,000 UK employees, Paymentsense discovered that less than half of those surveyed have a flexible working arrangement, with 59% believing their work life impacted them seeing friends and family and visiting the doctor. However, 73% of respondents overall believed they had a good work-life balance.

Fired Google employee James Damore files reverse discrimination lawsuit

DW – 9 January

James Damore, a former Google employee who was fired for making comments about fewer women working in the tech industry due to biological differences, is now arguing that he was unfairly dismissed. Damore has filed a 161-page class action lawsuit, claiming that Google is favouring minorities over ‘male and Caucasian employees’.

Should the situation at the BBC be a cause for concern amongst employers who are preparing to publish their gender pay gap information?

Lexology – 9 January

Womble Bond Dickinson look at the recent BBC gender pay gap scandal, and discuss its potential ramifications. The article distinguishes the difference between an equal pay gap and gender pay gap and discusses the next steps for the BBC in the wake of Carrie Gracie’s resignation.

Updated guidance on pregnancy and maternity discrimination from ACAS

Lexology – 8 January

ACAS have published updated guidance on pregnancy and maternity discrimination after seeing in 2017 a 10% rise in calls relating to the matter. ACAS recommendations include distinguishing between normal absences and those relating to pregnancy, and informing employees on maternity leave of any training or promotion opportunities.

Pensions News

DB white paper delayed to spring

Professional Pensions – 15 January

On 11 January, it was announced that the government’s white paper on defined benefit (DB) security and sustainability has been postponed until spring. This will now come over a year after the green paper was first delivered, which claimed there was ‘no systemic affordability problem with DB schemes’.

Carillion collapse sends pension schemes to lifeboat

FT Adviser – 15 January

Carillon, one of the government’s biggest contractors, has collapsed, leaving their 13 final salary schemes in disarray. The defined benefit (DB) schemes of the company will now enter the Pension Protection Fund (PPF). According to the FT Adviser, it is still uncertain how the benefits of members will be affected.

2018 retirees expect an average annual income of £19,900

Employee Benefits – 12 January

Research conducted by Prudential has revealed that employees planning to retire can expect an average income of £19,900, nearly a 10% rise on the average for 2017. Of the 9,896 people surveyed, 50% believed they would have enough money to retire comfortably, whilst 27% thought they would not have enough.

State pension coffers 'will be empty' by 2033 without govt support

Professional Adviser – 9 January

A report by the Government Actuary’s Department (GAD) has suggested that the National Insurance fund, which is used to pay out the state pension, will run out by 2033. The GAD has predicted that in approximately 15 years the Treasury will need to step in to ensure people continue to receive a pension.

Esther McVey becomes fifth work and pensions secretary in two years

Professional Pensions – 9 January

Following Theresa May’s 2018 cabinet shuffle, Esther McVey has been appointed the new Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: the fifth person to take on the job in two years. Jon Greer, the Head of Retirement Policy at Old Mutual Wealth has expressed concerns that issues such as retirement and pensions need long term solutions and may be suffering due to the constant change in leadership.