This week’s news in brief
Investment decline
The prolonged decline in UK business investment has continued into the third
quarter of 2002, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics.
Business investment fell by 2.8 per cent between the second and third quarters
of 2002 – the seventh consecutive drop – with the decline 12.4 per cent
compared to the same quarter last year. www.statistics.gov.uk
Stress law welcome
More than three-quarters of staff support legislation to help reduce stress,
according to a report by the CIPD. A quarter of the 1,000 employees polled say
their job is very stressful, with stress highest in the public sector,
particularly the NHS and local government. Legislation to reduce stress
includes the introduction of work councils, limiting working hours and the
right for staff to claim work-related stress damages. www.cipd.co.uk
UK students miss out
UK students are missing out on top jobs in Europe because they lack the
skills or the right attitude, a new study claims. The survey of 5,000 students across
Europe reveals that the British are less likely to speak a foreign language,
and less inclined to leave friends to work abroad. Just 36 per cent of British
students believe they have what it takes to succeed abroad, compared to 63 per
cent Europe-wide. www.hobsons.co.uk
Las Vegas winner
The winner of the recent CBA Recruitment/PersonnelToday.com competition to
win a holiday in Las Vegas has been drawn at random and is Alison Campbell, HR
manager at Thames Water. Alison wins four nights in Las Vegas, staying at the
world famous Sahara Hotel. Congratulations to Alison, and our thanks to CBA
Recruitment for their generous sponsorship. www.cbarecruitment.com
