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European Edition
4th June 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Dutch companies turn to automation amid staff shortages

Almost 64% of companies in the Netherlands face staff shortages, according to Statistics Netherlands (CBS). Many are now opting for automation, with 30% of firms using technology like AI to address vacancies. This marks a shift from last year, when attracting talent was the primary strategy for 25% of companies. Large firms and those in the information sector are leading in automation efforts. CBS noted that over 75% of entrepreneurs are also focusing on improving productivity, hindered by economic uncertainty and high costs.
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TECH & TOOLS

67% of HR leaders are already using AI. Is your team one of them?

AI has crossed the tipping point in HR — and the data proves it. A new global survey of over 1,000 HR and people operations leaders reveals that two-thirds of teams have already reached intermediate or advanced AI adoption. The benefits are real: 56% say AI has cut onboarding time, 50% report lower operating costs, and high-growth organisations are twice as likely to call AI adoption a top priority. The teams that aren't moving fast risk being left behind.

Download the free report to see exactly where HR leaders are investing in AI — and how you can do the same.

Download the free report

 
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WORKFORCE

Amsterdam coalition plans major cuts

Amsterdam’s new centre-left administration plans €344m in cuts and budget changes, alongside €292m in investment up to 2030. The GroenLinks-PvdA alliance, Progressief Nederland, and D66 will cut the equivalent of 2,500 full-time council jobs by 2031, raise tourist tax to 20%, increase parking fees and remove 10,000 parking spaces. Under-17s will get free public transport, while housing plans include 68,000 new homes by 2030 and tougher action on excessive rents. GroenLinks leader Zita Pels said the city faces “big challenges to produce a council that services its residents.”

Online adverts for UK starter jobs halve over past decade

The number of UK starter jobs advertised online has roughly halved over the past decade, from 139,300 a week in 2016-17 to just 71,100 in 2025-26. This comes as a study by the Centre for Social Justice reveals British employers have hired 27 young workers from outside the EU for every British person taken on. The think tank said "starter roles" have been "simply vanishing", with migrants employed instead. Separate analysis by Oxford University's Migration Observatory found 64% of hospitality roles in London have been filled by migrants. Country-wide, 31% of hospitality roles are now held by foreign nationals, and 34% of admin and support roles are now held by non-UK citizens.
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PRODUCTIVITY

Professional services firms face productivity crisis

Research by Unit4 reveals that over 25% of client-facing staff in professional services firms spend significant time on manual administrative tasks instead of core client work. The report, commissioned by Pierre Audoin Consultants, found a quarter of professional services organisations have yet to automate more than 20% of their core systems. Such operational inefficiencies are causing frequent project delays for 30% of firms worldwide. Donna Dobson, director of professional services at Unit4, noted: "Professional services firms are facing possibly the biggest inflection point in a lifetime as technology disruption and volatile economic conditions encourage clients to re-evaluate their use of consulting expertise."

Grant Thornton rolls out Anthropic AI

Grant Thornton UK is set to implement Anthropic's generative AI service, Claude, across its workforce in June, backed by a £500m investment. The initiative aims to shift focus from routine tasks to higher-value advisory roles. Malcolm Gomersall, chief executive of Grant Thornton UK, commented: "Clients don't pay for process; they pay for judgement." The firm plans to provide training and governance frameworks for safe AI use. Additionally, Grant Thornton will be opening a 'Digital Experience Centre' in London later this year where clients will be able to learn how to use technology to improve business operations.

World Cup could take employees’ eyes off the ball

UKG research estimates the World Cup could cost global employers $17bn in lost productivity, as 37% of workers plan to change their schedules during the tournament. The survey of 8,000 employees across eight countries found 27% may arrive late, leave early or miss work, while 14% expect to secretly stream matches during work hours. The expanded tournament, hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico, will feature 48 nations and 104 games. Suresh Vittal, chief product officer at UKG, said: “Productivity drops, customer experience suffers, and morale takes a hit.”

AI investment surges among HR pros

Half (50%) of HR professionals in Romania are now investing in AI to enhance workplace efficiency. This marks a notable rise from 36% in 2025 and is nearly in line with the European average of 51%.
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WORKPLACE

Meta scales back employee monitoring plan

Meta has revised its strategy for collecting employee data, including mouse movements and keystrokes, following significant staff pushback. In an internal memo, the company acknowledged concerns regarding personal data privacy, battery life, and the need for more control over data capture. "While we remain confident in the privacy protections we put in place at launch, we have heard your concerns," the memo stated. This change reflects Meta's response to employee feedback on its AI training data practices.

Bullying culture exposed in Finnish Interior Ministry

The Finnish Interior Ministry is facing serious allegations of workplace bullying and a toxic atmosphere, as revealed by a recent inspection conducted by the Finnish Supervisory Agency. Annika Nyman-Koskinen, an occupational safety inspector, confirmed the inspection followed requests from staff representatives. Employees described a long-standing culture of fear and irregularities. Permanent Secretary Matti Sarasmaa stated: "We want the Ministry of the Interior to be a good and safe workplace for everyone." The inspection report will be completed in late June, prompting the ministry to assess necessary actions.
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STRATEGY

AI in performance management: a double-edged sword

Mercer's report, “Reimagining Performance Management In The Age Of AI,” revealed that 60% of HR leaders feel performance management is ineffective. The report highlights that AI-enabled performance management can reinforce existing biases by prioritising easily measurable activities over essential but less visible work. Michelle Battersby, President of Peanut, noted: "Organizations misunderstand that caregivers, mothers especially, are not less ambitious." The report suggests that AI tools could benefit working mothers if they assess outcomes fairly, rather than reinforcing traditional biases around speed and visibility.
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TAX

Slovakia's tax system under scrutiny

Peter Slávik, a tax expert from TAX LAW, warned that Slovakia's proposed tax reforms could harm small businesses. He noted that the General Prosecutor Maroš Žilinka's plan to lower the threshold for criminal prosecution of tax fraud to €700 is excessive. Slávik stated: "We have reached a point where we neither punish people nor collect the money." He emphasised that the real issue lies in the state's tax administration and collection methods, which need reform to effectively address tax fraud and improve compliance.
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

British Land taps Oxford Properties for CEO

British Land appointed Joanne McNamara as CEO, making her one of few female leaders in the FTSE 100 real estate sector, succeeding Simon Carter. She will join from Oxford Properties - the real estate arm of a Canadian pension fund.
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HEALTH & WELLBEING

New health solutions for employees unveiled

Signal Iduna and MedLife have formed a strategic partnership to launch innovative corporate health solutions. This collaboration aims to meet the evolving needs of companies seeking integrated care, prevention, and employee health management. The new offering, Signal Enterprise MedLife, provides direct access to MedLife's healthcare network, enhancing cost predictability and simplifying processes for companies. Daniela Casapu, Member of the Executive Board of Signal Iduna, said: "This partnership represents a strategic expansion of our portfolio." MedLife's Corporate Division Director, Laurențiu Giușcă, noted the importance of technology and prevention in this new model.
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INNOVATION

Four startups join Orange Fab program

Orange Romania has welcomed four new startups into its Orange Fab acceleration programme, which supports technology companies with growth potential. The selected startups focus on key areas like cybersecurity, smart infrastructure, and healthcare. Ana Ciobanu, Startup Programs Manager, said: "We believe that innovation creates value when technology has a tangible impact." The programme, active for nine years, aims to assist both mature and early-stage startups in developing their products and business models, providing access to resources, mentoring, and the Orange 5G Lab for testing solutions.
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INTERNATIONAL

China's spies target Western secrets

The Five Eyes intelligence alliance has issued a rare alert about China's aggressive recruitment of spies. Beijing is reportedly offering thousands of dollars to individuals with access to classified information, aiming to gain military, political, and economic intelligence. This unprecedented warning highlights the risks posed to Western soldiers and democratic processes. Intelligence officials noted that targets are often approached through professional networking sites. Security Minister Dan Jarvis urged military personnel to heed the advice from the National Protective Security Authority to avoid compromising security.
 
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