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This week's news in brief
Strike toll doubles
The number of working days lost to strike action doubled this year. The Office of National Statistics recorded days lost to strikes in the year up to October, not including the firefighters dispute, doubled to just over one million. www.ons.gov.uk
PPP deal agreed
A landmark public private partnership deal was signed last week to upgrade part of the London Underground. The Tubelines consortium will fund refurbishments and repairs on the Underground's Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines in return for a 30 year revenue stream. Read next week's issue for an interview with Tubelines' HR director Andy Goode
Parents' rights pushed
Ministers have launched a campaign to remind millions of parents that they will soon be able to demand more flexible working hours from their employers. A telephone hotline will advise workers about their new rights. www.dti.gov.uk
Flexibility choice
A third of jobseekers would rather have flexible working options than receive extra cash, according to research by the Department of Trade and Industry. The survey, carried out in conjunction with recruitment website reed, also finds almost half of the 4,000 respondents look for flexible working hours when hunting for a new job. www.reed.co.uk
New jobs disappoint
More than half of employees strongly regret accepting a new job immediately after joining a new organisation, finds a survey. The study also reveals 26 per cent of respondents voluntarily left within one month because they were so disappointed with their treatment. www.uknetguide.co.uk
