January Hero Highlight news round-up

Businesses want their employees back in the office

L’Oréal head Nicolas Hieronimus has raised concerns about the lack of attachment, passion, and creativity among remote workers. Hieronimus believes that being in the office fosters serendipity and interpersonal connections, asserting it’s fairer to workers, particularly those with limited space or young children. While some experts support Hieronimus’s perspective, emphasising the importance of preventing isolation in remote workers, others argue that the impact of remote work depends on individual employees and the company’s support systems. A People Management LinkedIn poll indicates 84% of respondents disagree with Hieronimus, highlighting the ongoing debate on the benefits and challenges of remote work.

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Paternity leave changes, what you need to know

The UK government has released draft regulations allowing fathers/partners to split statutory paternity leave into one-week blocks starting March 8. Flexibility increased to take leave any time in the first year. Critics argue the UK still has the least generous paternity leave in Europe, and changes may have limited impact. Employers are urged to adapt systems and update policies. Debate continues on whether the amendments go far enough to promote gender equality. Some call for longer paternity leave with increased pay to support gender balance in parenting.

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Rising costs are making SMEs wary

ACCA’s research on SMEs identifies three key challenges: rising costs, workforce and talent management, and the evolving ESG reporting agenda. With 58% of SMEs concerned about higher costs, the report emphasises the need for innovative financial strategies. Workforce challenges include increased job vacancies and talent acquisition difficulties. The study highlights a growing requirement for ESG information but notes a gap in SMEs’ ability to manage and generate such data. The report recommends adopting digital technologies, sustainable practises, and talent development to help SMEs navigate these challenges successfully.

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Is there anything we can do to help our staff with financial wellness?

The post-holiday financial strain on employees is evident with high ‘buy now, pay later’ usage. Employers can support staff by developing financial wellbeing policies, providing signposts to advisory services, enhancing health and wellbeing programmes, and considering alternative benefits like employee assistance programmes or flexible work hours. The focus should be on open communication and understanding employee needs.

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