Business News Round Up (28/09/2020)
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Business leaders worry about long-term impact of working from
As new measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 come into effect across the UK, research from LinkedIn highlights that business leaders are concerned that the longer employees work from home, the harder it will be to get them back into offices when they reopen. More than two-thirds (68%) of executives say that employees have become fearful about workplace safety and are increasingly vocal about their concerns (63%), and 38% expect that they will be resistant to going back. Leaders have reason for concern – additional research from LinkedIn finds that less than a quarter (24%) of UK workers say they would willingly return to workplaces when they reopen. 60% of employees say their biggest worry is exposure to others who may not be taking safety guidelines and precautions as seriously, and 42% are concerned about working in close proximity to other colleagues.
Tech giant CGI has launched a new framework for businesses that can accelerate adaption
Scottish businesses and organisations are being urged to develop their technological capabilities in preparation for the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic. As the disruption caused by coronavirus continues, global technology giant CGI has put forward a wide-ranging framework for tackling the crisis and saving the economy. Lindsay McGranaghan, vice-president of CGI in Scotland, is now calling for companies to take advantage of the insights in the report to help them adapt and thrive in the “new normal”. The white paper has been drawn up by CGI’s president and CEO George D Schindler and outlines his belief that it is more important than ever to focus on how to create value in the face of unprecedented change.
Recruiters face testing times as employment worries mount
A survey in July by HSBC Professional Services found that four out of five UK recruiters were predicting a drop in income this year of anywhere between 15 to 30 per cent. The majority were already cutting costs and taking up financial support from the Government to stay afloat. Of those questioned, 85% were using the Government’s income tax and VAT deferment schemes, and 40% had secured an emergency coronavirus loan. Some had cut costs through reductions in staffing and remuneration. The difficulties were highlighted by international recruitment firm Hays, which has offices in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. Releasing its annual results for the year to the end of June, the group reported a 63% decline in pre-tax profits as global fees tumbled by 11%.
Greater Manchester energy agency set to launch
A new energy innovation agency (EIA) is to be established between three Greater Manchester universities, local government, and industry, with the aim of kick-starting a decade of clean energy growth to meet the region’s 2038 carbon neutral target. The University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University and University of Salford will apply their energy and environmental research expertise, working with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and SSE Enterprise. The agency will act as an intermediary between the region’s environmental research output, industry innovators, the energy supply pipeline and stakeholders in Greater Manchester, to close the current innovation gap to zero carbon.
https://www.insidermedia.com/news/north-west/greater-manchester-energy-agency-set-to-launch
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