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The Latest Bulletin

Modern slavery

Modern slavery

Governments, regulators and investors are taking a much greater interest in what organisations are doing to combat modern slavery and the exploitation of people both within the workforce and within company supply chains. Modern slavery is considered a key element of environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters. It is an issue of interest to investors, policymakers and regulators, who are looking to boards to report externally on their policies and actions. This factsheet looks at HR’s role in tackling modern slavery, and the steps that can be taken to prevent it. Click here to read more
Dr Neil Thompson
May 7, 2024
‘Work first’ can work better

‘Work first’ can work better

'Work first' is a core idea that underpins the UK's employment and welfare systems, and effective ‘work first’ orientated systems have long-term, paid employment as the primary goal for people interacting with them. This is the right objective, but with work entry rates for unemployed benefit claimants falling, health-related inactivity rising sharply and millions of people not claiming benefits locked out of support, urgent improvement is needed to reach it. For the unemployed, the Jobcentre has become a Universal Credit (UC) monitoring service rather than an employment service. By updating DWPs own figures, we estimate that the department now spends £350 million a year on monitoring claimants, the equivalent of over half of the annual spend on work coach salaries.…
Dr Neil Thompson
May 7, 2024
‘Brilliant’ plans to improve child social care ignored by ministers

‘Brilliant’ plans to improve child social care ignored by ministers

The poet and broadcaster Lemn Sissay has accused ministers of ignoring “brilliant” recommendations to improve the “dysfunctional” children’s social care system in England because they are not vote winners. Sissay, whose bestselling memoir My Name Is Why was a reflection on his own childhood in care, said the government had “cherrypicked” from the 2022 MacAlister review, despite the report putting forward costed recommendations that would save money in the longer term. Click here to read more
Dr Neil Thompson
May 7, 2024
Neil Thompson’s Lessons for Living – Conflict can be constructive

Neil Thompson’s Lessons for Living – Conflict can be constructive

Conflict can range from mild disagreement to violent confrontation, and, especially in its stronger forms, can be extremely destructive. However, it would be a significant mistake not to recognize that, in the right circumstances and if handled skilfully and confidently, conflict can actually be constructive. This is because carefully controlled conflict can spur innovation, free people up from tramline thinking, generate considerable learning, provide opportunities for people who have previously been at loggerheads with one another to respect one another, allow us to see situations from new perspectives, and so on. Conflict can be understood to be like fire. If it is controlled and handled carefully, it can be very productive and helpful, but if allowed to go unchecked, can…
Dr Neil Thompson
April 23, 2024
UK Poverty 2024

UK Poverty 2024

The UK is entering this election year with unacceptably high levels of poverty, appallingly high for some groups. We need a coherent plan with creative policies to end poverty in the UK. This report looks at the current situation across different groups and regions, and the future prospects for poverty in the UK. Click here to read more  
Dr Neil Thompson
April 23, 2024
Stress contagion: Does observing others’ anxiety affect you?

Stress contagion: Does observing others’ anxiety affect you?

When you observe a person who is stressed, sometimes you begin to feel stressed yourself, even if you are not doing anything stressful. Consider a scenario in which you’re watching someone give a presentation and they are noticeably anxious. You may start to feel the same increase in heart rate or sweaty palms that they are feeling. How does this stress contagion work? A recent study conducted by the Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour at the University of Konstanz in Germany explores this question and finds that observing stress in others leads to higher levels of stress hormones like cortisol. The findings of this study can be particularly helpful in managing stress in the workplace. Click here…
Dr Neil Thompson
April 23, 2024
Wellness action plans

Wellness action plans

Wellness Actions Plans are an easy, practical way of helping you support your own mental health at work. And if you're a manager, allowing you to support the mental health of your team members. We have 3 guides for employees available: Guide for people working in a workplace Guide for people working remotely Guide for people who are hybrid working We also have a guide for line managers to help you implement Wellness Action Plans across your team. Click here to read more
Dr Neil Thompson
April 23, 2024