Gig Economy Illustration iStock monkeybusinessimages

Working in precarious times: the gig economy and zero-hours contracts

Insecure work, whether through zero-hour contracts or through platforms operating within the gig economy, has come under fire in some quarters for driving high levels of worker stress and anxiety. But others point to the flexibility it provides to workers – particularly if they are students or have caring responsibilities – as well as to employers in sectors with fluctuating demand.

By Kerry Reals on 02 December 2024

Mike Robinson 3 Med

How can we support our people better in a changing world?

At the end of November, I had the privilege of presenting top-performing organisations with our prestigious Sword, Globe and Shield of Honour awards, recognising their achievements in health, safety, environmental and wellbeing management. It’s something I relish doing every year, and this time was no exception.

By Mike Robinson FCA, British Safety Council on 04 December 2024

Discarded Vapes iStock Benjamin Robinson

Unsafe disposal of millions of vapes a week causing environmental damage and rise in lithium-ion battery fires

More than eight million vapes are thrown away or recycled incorrectly every week in the UK, resulting in environmental damage and an increased risk of lithium-ion battery fires, according to non-profit group Material Focus.

By Kerry Reals on 19 December 2024

News

Discarded Vapes iStock Benjamin Robinson

Unsafe disposal of millions of vapes a week causing environmental damage and rise in lithium-ion battery fires

More than eight million vapes are thrown away or recycled incorrectly every week in the UK, resulting in environmental damage and an increased risk of lithium-ion battery fires, according to non-profit group Material Focus.

By Kerry Reals on 19 December 2024

Istock 536015879 Credit Danielrao

UK workplaces among the unhealthiest in Europe, finds new study

By Belinda Liversedge on 26 November 2024

Features

Evacuation Chair In Use 500 Wide Min

Emergency evacuation for people with mobility issues: why we must do better

With research revealing poor understanding among many businesses of their duty to have arrangements in place to safely evacuate mobility-impaired people, it’s time for the government to educate building owners about their obligations and mandate the provision of evacuation equipment, to ensure a safe evacuation for everyone.

By Gerard Wallace, Evac+Chair International on 01 August 2023

Prosecutions

BAM Nuttall skip HSE

BAM Nuttall fined £800,000 after death of worker on wind farm construction site

Engineering firm BAM Nuttall has been fined £800,000 over the death of a labourer during the construction of a wind farm on the Shetland Islands.

By Kerry Reals on 19 December 2024

Opinion

Thumbs Up Race Equality iStock/PeopleImages

Mandatory ethnicity pay gap reporting: closing the gap towards race equality at work

For nearly 30 years, Business in the Community (BITC) has been working with employers across the UK to help create a fairer world, where everyone feels valued and has equal opportunities for progression, regardless of their background. However, while we have seen many businesses taking vital steps in the right direction, there is still a long way to go before true race equality can be achieved at work and we are tapping into all the talent, skills and potential available. And every employer needs to play their part in getting there.

By Sandra Kerr CBE, Business in the Community (BITC) on 09 December 2024