…in brief

This week’s news in brief

Jobs gains set to drop

A Manpower survey of more than 2,000 companies across 19 industries predicts
that the first months of 2002 will show the steepest quarter-on-quarter fall in
employment in the 33-year history of the research. The "net job
gains" figure has dropped from 20 to 0, equalling the fall recorded in
1999.  www.manpower.co.uk

SWT strike continues

South West Trains drivers are due to continue their strike today over
alleged abuse of disciplinary procedures. This follows three 24-hour strikes
yesterday and Thursday and Friday last week by more than 2,000 of SWT’s station
staff and guards over pay and conditions.  www.rmt.org.uk

Golden age for execs

A record 14 company executives received golden handshakes of over £1m in
2001. The Labour Research Department, which conducted the study, said this is
by far the highest number of seven-figure sums traced in regular surveys it has
conducted.  www.lrd.org.uk

MSF calls for pay audit

The MSF union is pushing for equal pay for women in 2002 by demanding equal
pay audits from employers. The union has written to 10,000 employers demanding
that they carry out the audit. It aims to survey every UK company in the sector
by the end of 2002.  www.msf.org.uk

Health perk is popular

Private health insurance is the most desired benefit among staff in
financial and professional services. A study by recruiters Joslin Rowe found
more than six out of 10 staff in the sector put healthcare above other perks.
Just over half say flexible benefits are important and 49 per cent cite
contributory pensions.

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Consult to cut danger

Companies that canvass employees for their views on health and safety can
cut down on accidents, claims a Health and Safety Executive study, Firms can
create a positive attitude towards good practice and make significant
improvements by including workers’ ideas and involving them in enforcing
H&S rules.  www.hse.gov.uk