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Posts by Institute for Employment Studies

"Despite a modest fall in unemployment, the UK labour market remains weak overall. Economic inactivity has risen, with fewer people actively looking for work. Following early signs of stabilisation, vacancies and payrolled employment have fallen, with early estimates indicating a drop of over 14,000 retail jobs. Real pay growth has continued to slow, with annual regular pay growth up just 0.2% in December 2025 to February 2026, meaning wages are barely keeping pace with living costs. Amid heightened global instability and economic uncertainty, it's vital that the government works with employers to rebuild momentum in the labour market and support people back into work."

"Despite a modest fall in unemployment, the UK labour market remains weak overall. Economic inactivity has risen, with fewer people actively looking for work. Following early signs of stabilisation, vacancies and payrolled employment have fallen, with early estimates indicating a drop of over 14,000 retail jobs. Real pay growth has continued to slow, with annual regular pay growth up just 0.2% in December 2025 to February 2026, meaning wages are barely keeping pace with living costs. Amid heightened global instability and economic uncertainty, it's vital that the government works with employers to rebuild momentum in the labour market and support people back into work."

Comment from IES Chief Executive @naomiclayton.bsky.social on the just-announced monthly Labour Market Statistics from the Office for National Statistics.

1 day ago 0 1 0 0
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📢New research! This latest ReAct report explores how AI tools are being introduced and used within Restart delivery, examining both the operational processes behind implementation and the experiences of staff and customers engaging with these tools. Read more: bit.ly/4cbPukM

1 week ago 1 1 0 0
Quote from Emily Kramers, "I believe employers can gain a great deal from hiring older workers and I would encourage them to be open-minded about engaging with older applicants interested in reinventing their career, and consider the value of transferable skills and what extensive life experience may bring to an organisation. And for those looking to change course, I would say that it’s never too late to give it a try!"

Quote from Emily Kramers, "I believe employers can gain a great deal from hiring older workers and I would encourage them to be open-minded about engaging with older applicants interested in reinventing their career, and consider the value of transferable skills and what extensive life experience may bring to an organisation. And for those looking to change course, I would say that it’s never too late to give it a try!"

With the State Pension age rising to 67, Emily Kramers considers what’s needed to drive the recruitment and retention of older workers, drawing on personal experience to demonstrate the process of a career change in later life and the positive impact of age diversity at work: bit.ly/4ms84si

1 week ago 1 0 1 0
Quote from Duncan Brown, "Despite some additions, this general alignment with the current gender reporting regime should substantially reduce the workload for UK employers, both compared to the set-up-from-scratch preparation involved for complying with the 2017 regulations, and in comparison with European employers."

Quote from Duncan Brown, "Despite some additions, this general alignment with the current gender reporting regime should substantially reduce the workload for UK employers, both compared to the set-up-from-scratch preparation involved for complying with the 2017 regulations, and in comparison with European employers."

The publication of more details on pay transparency proposals in the UK & EU appears to have incurred diametrically opposed reactions from employers. In this blog Duncan Brown provides more insights, & suggests employers continue to implement greater pay transparency & understanding: bit.ly/3Q75awP

2 weeks ago 0 0 0 0

Today is #WorldAutismAwarenessDay2026 and to mark it we are highlighting IES's work on neurodiversity in the workplace, a range of our resources on this is available here: bit.ly/4s5qEHL Also a reminder of the invitation to join our webinar on good work for autistic women on April 29th (see below).

2 weeks ago 0 0 0 0
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Join us on April 29th for an evidence-based webinar examining what good work looks like for autistic women. The session explores recent IES & UCL research & considers how employers, HR professionals & managers can better understand, support and empower autistic women in the workplace: bit.ly/4bJ9quW

3 weeks ago 0 1 0 1
Qute from Nick Lisardopoulos, "The jobs market is witnessing a “double squeeze” of economic stagnation (leading to employer caution) and the rapid integration of generative AI that seems to be automating some of the entry-level tasks traditionally used to train new workers. Until economies expand and create demand for new skills and expertise, the market will likely continue to face a volatile period of suppressed hiring."

Qute from Nick Lisardopoulos, "The jobs market is witnessing a “double squeeze” of economic stagnation (leading to employer caution) and the rapid integration of generative AI that seems to be automating some of the entry-level tasks traditionally used to train new workers. Until economies expand and create demand for new skills and expertise, the market will likely continue to face a volatile period of suppressed hiring."

In a new blog, based on an article originally published by Adzuna, Nicholas Litsardopoulos examines the current crisis in UK graduate employment, reflecting on the factors which have led to it, and identifying the actions and policy priorities which could provide possible solutions: bit.ly/3PA0teZ

3 weeks ago 1 0 0 0
Quote from Astrid Allen, "Single parents don’t want special treatment. They want fair access to good work, the ability to progress, and the chance to contribute fully without being penalised for the structure of their family. Flexible working (done well) can unlock that."

Quote from Astrid Allen, "Single parents don’t want special treatment. They want fair access to good work, the ability to progress, and the chance to contribute fully without being penalised for the structure of their family. Flexible working (done well) can unlock that."

In a new blog that looks at the challenges facing single working parents, Astrid Allen reflects on the rise of ‘flexism’ in the workplace, considers ways that employers can offer more support around flexible working, and details evidence of the organisational benefits of doing so: bit.ly/4caq9rb

3 weeks ago 0 0 0 0
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“Unemployment remains at a five-year high as more people are looking for work. Payrolled employment continues to fall in retail and hospitality, alongside other parts of the private sector, while real pay growth is slowing. Youth unemployment is at its highest rate in 10 years and continues to rise among 18-24-year-olds. The new hiring incentives announced by government this week to encourage employers to recruit young people can have a positive impact if well-designed. However, given the scale and urgency of the challenge, more must be done to address wider challenges and boost jobs, while ensuring young people across the country have access to the support they need."

“Unemployment remains at a five-year high as more people are looking for work. Payrolled employment continues to fall in retail and hospitality, alongside other parts of the private sector, while real pay growth is slowing. Youth unemployment is at its highest rate in 10 years and continues to rise among 18-24-year-olds. The new hiring incentives announced by government this week to encourage employers to recruit young people can have a positive impact if well-designed. However, given the scale and urgency of the challenge, more must be done to address wider challenges and boost jobs, while ensuring young people across the country have access to the support they need."

Comment from IES Chief Executive @naomiclayton.bsky.social on the just-announced Labour Market Statistics from Office for National Statistics.

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"We welcome the new measures and much-needed investment to ensure that every young person can access meaningful employment opportunities. Well-designed wage subsidies can have a positive impact on youth employment, particularly when they are targeted and straightforward for employers to use. The expansion of apprenticeships for young people is also crucial: apprenticeships are a proven route for young people to build skills and move into good careers. To make the most of this investment, it is essential that the incentives are supported by clear and consistent messaging, strong employer engagement, the right wraparound support for young people, especially those facing the greatest barriers, and effective cross departmental coordination. We look forward to working with government and employers to ensure these measures translate into high quality opportunities that change young people’s lives for the better."

"We welcome the new measures and much-needed investment to ensure that every young person can access meaningful employment opportunities. Well-designed wage subsidies can have a positive impact on youth employment, particularly when they are targeted and straightforward for employers to use. The expansion of apprenticeships for young people is also crucial: apprenticeships are a proven route for young people to build skills and move into good careers. To make the most of this investment, it is essential that the incentives are supported by clear and consistent messaging, strong employer engagement, the right wraparound support for young people, especially those facing the greatest barriers, and effective cross departmental coordination. We look forward to working with government and employers to ensure these measures translate into high quality opportunities that change young people’s lives for the better."

Comment from IES Chief Executive @naomiclayton.bsky.social on the just-announced measures by Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden on the major new employment drive to create 200,000 new jobs and apprenticeships for young people.

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Quote from Dr Duncan Brown, "Internal career development is definitely ‘back’ for many other employers at the core of their workforce plans. But as well as securing a re-investment in training and development beyond the ranks of a few individual ‘stars’, the challenge for many HR professionals is developing the more extensive and culture-driven approaches required to support future career paths through rapidly changing organisations and contexts."

Quote from Dr Duncan Brown, "Internal career development is definitely ‘back’ for many other employers at the core of their workforce plans. But as well as securing a re-investment in training and development beyond the ranks of a few individual ‘stars’, the challenge for many HR professionals is developing the more extensive and culture-driven approaches required to support future career paths through rapidly changing organisations and contexts."

In a new blog to mark National Careers Week, Duncan Brown considers how clear, accessible and supported the career paths are that UK employers currently offer, both to young people and the general workforce, and suggests ways employers can improve. Read the blog: bit.ly/47cN1Dw

1 month ago 0 0 0 0
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In our webinar to mark #InternationalWomensDay, Dr. Meenakshi Krishnan & Naomi Clayton considered the wide range of factors leading to the slow progress in improving gender equality in the workplace and what practical steps organisations can take to change this. Recording and slides: bit.ly/4bq4fzO

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"Today’s Spring Statement underlines just how urgent it is to step up reform of our employment support system. With revised unemployment figures expected to peak at over 5.3% this year, the UK is facing clear and persistent labour market challenges that demand a more ambitious and inclusive approach to helping people into work. The picture for young people is even more concerning, with youth unemployment hitting its highest rate in a decade. We need government to implement bold reforms that match the scale of the challenge, and a renewed commitment from government to ensuring every young person has the opportunity, support and pathways they need to thrive in work. The urgency could not be clearer.”

"Today’s Spring Statement underlines just how urgent it is to step up reform of our employment support system. With revised unemployment figures expected to peak at over 5.3% this year, the UK is facing clear and persistent labour market challenges that demand a more ambitious and inclusive approach to helping people into work. The picture for young people is even more concerning, with youth unemployment hitting its highest rate in a decade. We need government to implement bold reforms that match the scale of the challenge, and a renewed commitment from government to ensuring every young person has the opportunity, support and pathways they need to thrive in work. The urgency could not be clearer.”

Comment from IES Chief Executive @naomiclayton.bsky.social on the Spring Statement, announced by government earlier today.

1 month ago 2 1 0 0
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This new IES report for Standard Life UK looks at the role of employers in pension saving, and what they can do beyond the legal requirements in the automatic enrolment system, especially to support low-to-middle earners balance affordability and adequate retirement provision. Read: bit.ly/3ZS2AfZ

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"Unemployment is edging upwards as hiring remains weak. Payrolled employment continues to fall, though at a slower rate, and vacancies appear to have stabilised. Rising unemployment and weak hiring means that there are more people looking for fewer jobs and, outside the pandemic, the unemployment-to-vacancy ratio is the highest in 10 years. Young people are being hit hardest, with youth unemployment at its highest in a decade. The government needs to work with employers to boost jobs and encourage hiring, while expanding support to help people find work."

"Unemployment is edging upwards as hiring remains weak. Payrolled employment continues to fall, though at a slower rate, and vacancies appear to have stabilised. Rising unemployment and weak hiring means that there are more people looking for fewer jobs and, outside the pandemic, the unemployment-to-vacancy ratio is the highest in 10 years. Young people are being hit hardest, with youth unemployment at its highest in a decade. The government needs to work with employers to boost jobs and encourage hiring, while expanding support to help people find work."

Comment from IES Chief Executive @naomiclayton.bsky.social on the just-announced Labour Market Statistics.

2 months ago 0 1 0 0
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📢 Webinar invitation! To mark International Women's Day we invite you to join us as we unpack the real reasons behind a stall in momentum for women's career progression and what practical steps organisations can take to change this. Register & event info: bit.ly/3MDrLzN

2 months ago 0 0 0 0
Webinar slides: Persistent race inequalities in the UK's labour market and how to address them in your workplace | Institute for Employment Studies (IES)

To celebrate #RaceEqualityWeek we are posting outputs promoting the theme of #ChangeNeedsAllofUS. These slides address the continuing issue of persistent race inequalities prevalent in the UK labour market and how they can be tackled in the workplace. www.employment-studies.co.uk/resource/web...

2 months ago 0 0 0 0
Quote from Dr Alexandra Nancarrow, "The ability to accurately map and understand provision at a local level is important for not only helping young people find and access support but it also enables local authorities and support organisations to identify crucial gaps in support. This knowledge has the potential to decrease the fragmentation within the support system while also improving the design of services that can effectively meet diverse and complex needs of the individuals who require the support the most."

Quote from Dr Alexandra Nancarrow, "The ability to accurately map and understand provision at a local level is important for not only helping young people find and access support but it also enables local authorities and support organisations to identify crucial gaps in support. This knowledge has the potential to decrease the fragmentation within the support system while also improving the design of services that can effectively meet diverse and complex needs of the individuals who require the support the most."

Young people transitioning from education to employment face a complex support system. In this blog Dr Alexandra Nancarrow examines how mapping of services can help young people access the right support, and enable local authorities to make positive changes: bit.ly/4jSLM1i

3 months ago 0 0 0 0
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In the UK there are around 700,000 people with an #autism diagnosis & many #autistic women & girls are undiagnosed. This toolkit is the result of in-depth research with working autistic women & details guidance for organisations, HR & line managers: bit.ly/4qy5h20 @ucl.ac.uk

3 months ago 2 1 1 1
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Amplifying Employee Voice for the Future of Work - 26/02/2026 10:00:00 What is the potential for employee voice to deliver on the Good Work Agenda of the UK Government and how can regional and national policymakers and employers devise policies to amplify employee voice ...

Event invitation! 26 Feb, London, free to attend. The Employment Rights Act has focused attention on the importance of strengthening workplace relations & this conference brings together lead researchers. Keynote speakers: Jonny Gifford & Nita Clarke OBE. bit.ly/463paFE

3 months ago 0 1 0 0
"The labour market is continuing to weaken. Payrolled employment has fallen by over 90,000 in the last quarter – the largest fall outside the pandemic. Vacancies appear to have stabilised but remain well below the pre-pandemic peak. Unemployment remains at the highest rate in four years at 5.1% and there are still 2.1 million people who are outside the labour force who want to work. "Increases in unemployment have been largely driven by young people who have been affected by the slowdown in hiring, and the youth unemployment rate is the highest it’s been in 10 years, including the pandemic. The government needs to work with employers to create more job and training opportunities for young people, encourage hiring and to increase support so they can access those opportunities."

"The labour market is continuing to weaken. Payrolled employment has fallen by over 90,000 in the last quarter – the largest fall outside the pandemic. Vacancies appear to have stabilised but remain well below the pre-pandemic peak. Unemployment remains at the highest rate in four years at 5.1% and there are still 2.1 million people who are outside the labour force who want to work. "Increases in unemployment have been largely driven by young people who have been affected by the slowdown in hiring, and the youth unemployment rate is the highest it’s been in 10 years, including the pandemic. The government needs to work with employers to create more job and training opportunities for young people, encourage hiring and to increase support so they can access those opportunities."

Comment from IES Chief Executive @naomiclayton.bsky.social on the just-announced Labour Market Statistics from ONS.

3 months ago 0 1 0 0
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New report! This literature review for CITB covers research into the challenges faced by the construction industry in recruiting & retaining employees, and recommendations for engaging with specific groups in order to address this. Read report & summary: bit.ly/3NeYawJ

3 months ago 0 0 0 0
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Where recruitment processes have been adapted to focus more on social values, intending to attract the right people, some organisations faced challenges with a proportion of hires that struggle to balance values-driven behaviour with the target-driven nature of employability work. This highlighted the need for a balanced recruitment criterion that includes values, resilience, and performance orientation. Offering job shadowing opportunities can help prepare people for the reality of the role to ensure the right people are moving through the recruitment process.

Where recruitment processes have been adapted to focus more on social values, intending to attract the right people, some organisations faced challenges with a proportion of hires that struggle to balance values-driven behaviour with the target-driven nature of employability work. This highlighted the need for a balanced recruitment criterion that includes values, resilience, and performance orientation. Offering job shadowing opportunities can help prepare people for the reality of the role to ensure the right people are moving through the recruitment process.

The recent ERSA conference enabled the ReAct team to reflect on the employment adviser role via a workshop with 25 employment support professionals. This paper covers the findings and includes insights on future recruitment and retention of advisers. Read: bit.ly/4jFbKFD

3 months ago 1 0 0 0
Quote from Emily Kramers and Rosie Gloster, "A key insight emerging from this and similar projects is the need to anticipate, measure, and genuinely value the wider benefits of learning and to ensure these benefits are built into how success is defined and communicated."

Quote from Emily Kramers and Rosie Gloster, "A key insight emerging from this and similar projects is the need to anticipate, measure, and genuinely value the wider benefits of learning and to ensure these benefits are built into how success is defined and communicated."

In a new blog Emily Kramers and Rosie Gloster look at the wider benefits of adult learning, and specifically how these apply to learning English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) for participants in the Restart employment support programme. Read more: bit.ly/3LpQc3e

3 months ago 1 0 0 0
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This new research paper from Dr Zofia Bajorek & Dr Alison Carter looks at group coaching, exploring the purpose and impact of workplace group coaching and the benefits for organisations and employees.
Read the paper: bit.ly/3YzXp3G
Access the coaching research collection: bit.ly/4qMsHjJ

3 months ago 1 0 0 0
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NICEC Seminar: Social class - a ramp and a barrier to career aspirations, decision making & pathways Online

In this forthcoming NICEC workshop, IES researchers Dr Kyla Ellis Ellis and Kate Alexander will share findings from research exploring the role of social class in career decision making, using the construction sector as a case study. Learn more here: www.nicec.org/events/nicec...

3 months ago 2 1 0 0
Quote from Nick Litsardopoulos, "If the central problem is the distribution of income between labour and capital, or within the labour force itself, then policies must also address capital concentration, market power, and institutional frameworks shaping how economic gains are shared."

Quote from Nick Litsardopoulos, "If the central problem is the distribution of income between labour and capital, or within the labour force itself, then policies must also address capital concentration, market power, and institutional frameworks shaping how economic gains are shared."

In a new blog, originally published by Adzuna, Nicholas Litsardopoulos takes an in-depth look at productivity, its relationship to pay and how it is measured, and identifies recommendations to help tackle the current economic stagnation in the UK. Read more: bit.ly/49l8ASI

3 months ago 1 0 0 0
Quote from Meenakshi Krishnan, "After a year of politicised noise and uncertainty, 2026 will reward organisations that treat EDI as core business infrastructure, not a PR device."

Quote from Meenakshi Krishnan, "After a year of politicised noise and uncertainty, 2026 will reward organisations that treat EDI as core business infrastructure, not a PR device."

In a new blog, Dr Meenakshi Krishnan reflects on 2025 in terms of the rapidly changing face of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in the workplace, and identifies the key EDI trends for the coming year. Read more: bit.ly/4qEGo46

3 months ago 0 0 0 0

More widely it needs to boost employer confidence and create the conditions for growth, while widening access to employment support. @employmentstudies.bsky.social

4 months ago 0 1 0 0
"The labour market continues to weaken. The unemployment rate has increased to the highest rate in four years and unemployment rates for men match peak rates during the pandemic. Payrolled employment has fallen by nearly 90,000 over the last quarter – the largest fall since the pandemic. Vacancy numbers have decreased slightly, which means more people are competing for fewer jobs. We need to boost employer confidence and expand support for the 2.1 million people who are outside the labour force but want to work. The youth unemployment rate is now higher than it was during the pandemic and is at its highest rate in ten years. As the government reviews the causes of record unemployment and inactivity among 16-24 year-olds, it needs to continue to build on the Youth Guarantee to ensure that all young people can access the support they need."

"The labour market continues to weaken. The unemployment rate has increased to the highest rate in four years and unemployment rates for men match peak rates during the pandemic. Payrolled employment has fallen by nearly 90,000 over the last quarter – the largest fall since the pandemic. Vacancy numbers have decreased slightly, which means more people are competing for fewer jobs. We need to boost employer confidence and expand support for the 2.1 million people who are outside the labour force but want to work. The youth unemployment rate is now higher than it was during the pandemic and is at its highest rate in ten years. As the government reviews the causes of record unemployment and inactivity among 16-24 year-olds, it needs to continue to build on the Youth Guarantee to ensure that all young people can access the support they need."

Comment from IES Chief Executive @naomiclayton.bsky.social on the just-announced Labour Market Statistics from ONS.

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