Human Times

European Edition

24th September 2026

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THE HOT STORY

AI forces companies to rethink entry-level hiring

AI is increasingly taking over tasks traditionally assigned to junior employees, raising concerns about career advancement and skill development for young workers. Tobias Green, founder of London-based ad agency Catalyst, notes that AI tools now enable one junior employee to manage five client accounts, reducing the need for multiple hires. The Open University’s 2026 Business Barometer report found that 51% of UK business leaders believe AI is changing hiring practices, with 19% reducing entry-level recruitment due to AI adoption. While AI is enhancing productivity, experts like Cheney Hamilton, director at UK research firm Bloor, warn that it may hinder the development of critical judgment skills in junior workers, arguing: “AI raises the floor of what a junior can produce, but it doesn't give them the judgement to know when the output is wrong.”

CNBC

THE NEW TALENT EQUATION

Why Augmentation Is Outperforming Automation

Artificial intelligence is transforming the way organizations attract, develop, and deploy talent. While many companies have focused on automation, new research from Talent Solutions RPO and Right Management, conducted by Everest Group, shows that the greatest value often comes from augmenting human work rather than replacing it.

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STRATEGY

VW and union 'to discuss concerns over restructuring next week'

Reuters reports that representatives for Volkswagen, IG Metall and the works ⁠council will meet in Hanover on September 30 to discuss the German automaker's ‌restructuring, after the union summoned management over concerns about the cuts.

Reuters

WORKPLACE

Culture shift is needed in UK workplaces

UK government advisor Sir Charlie Mayfield has told The Times he wants to see a shift in British workplace culture over sick leave. He says employees should directly inform their managers when unwell to foster open dialogue. Mayfield, lead author of the Keep Britain Working review, said: "It's very important that you're immediately establishing a contact, a dialogue, between the employer and the employee . . . So you can't just text, send a WhatsApp, or send an email. You've actually got to ring somebody up. It gives you the opportunity to have a conversation."

The Times

WORKFORCE

Agreement reached to call off Icelandair mechanics’ strike

Icelandair and the Icelandic Aircraft Mechanics’ Association (FVFÍ) have reached an agreement to suspend a planned strike. The deal allows for four weeks of focused negotiations, facilitated by the State Mediator, to establish a new collective bargaining agreement. Both parties expressed their commitment to work collaboratively during this period. “The parties have agreed to use the next four weeks for focused negotiations under a structured negotiation plan led by the State Mediator, with the aim of concluding a new collective bargaining agreement. During this period, the parties will work closely together to resolve the outstanding issues and create the conditions for a successful outcome,” a statement said.

Iceland Monitor

Greek Digital Work Card to cover 2.5m workers

Greece is set to extend its Digital Work Card system to an additional 500,000 workers across various sectors, raising the total covered by the measure to about 2.5m. Labour Minister Niki Kerameus said the system ensures that employees receive pay for their actual working hours while helping combat under-declared and undeclared work. It has already led to a 1,200% increase in declared overtime in some sectors. The expansion will occur in two phases, with full implementation starting in October and November 2026.

GreekCitytimes

LEGAL

UBS fined €5m for helping clients conceal savings from tax authorities

Swiss lender UBS has been fined €5m by the Dutch Public Prosecution Service for aiding clients in concealing undeclared savings from tax authorities. The case, which involves 12 clients, revealed that Credit Suisse - acquired by UBS in 2023 - filed 80 incorrect tax returns between 2005 and 2015. The investigation began in 2016, with prosecutors noting that Credit Suisse had previously assisted clients in using code names and setting up companies in tax-friendly jurisdictions. UBS said it has a zero-tolerance policy towards tax evasion and is satisfied to resolve the matter without admitting criminal liability.

NL Times

ECONOMY

OECD raises 2026 global growth forecast but warns of mounting risks

The OECD has raised its forecast for global economic growth in 2026 to 2.9% from 2.8%, as stronger-than-expected activity, including an AI-driven investment boom, has offset the impact of persistently high energy prices. The organisation has increased its US growth forecast to 2.2% this year and 2.1% in 2027, while raising its 2026 outlook for India to 7.1% and South Korea to 3.7%; however, it now expects Saudi Arabia’s economy to contract by 1.8%. G20 inflation is forecast to average 4.1% this year, prompting expectations for further modest interest rate increases, including a quarter-point Federal Reserve hike before year-end. The OECD has warned that prolonged high oil prices, El Niño-related increases in food prices, falling equities, and rising bond yields could weaken global growth to as little as 2.3% in 2027.

Bloomberg

Reuters

Wall Street Journal

RISK

Russian general vows to protect Auchan assets

Police Major General Andrei Krayushkin has been appointed to oversee the Russian assets of Auchan, Nestlé, and Lemana PRO. He said he aims to protect the retailers from drone attacks and ensure their operations continue uninterrupted. Krayushkin stated: "Purchasing, deliveries, store operations and the fulfillment of obligations to customers, suppliers and employees must continue without interruption". The Russian government transferred the assets to L.E.V. Management amid increasing drone strikes targeting retail logistics. The assets are valued at over R600bn ($7.14bn).

The Moscow Times

INTERNATIONAL

DoorDash settles worker underpayment allegations with New York City

Food delivery company DoorDash is to pay $131.5m to settle a New York City government investigation that found it underpaid or waited too long to pay workers. DoorDash will provide nearly $115m of relief to about 264,000 workers; the median payout is about $48. The firm accepted a $16.7m civil fine. Mayor Zohran Mamdani said the settlement was "part of a larger commitment to hold delivery companies accountable." Through its use of "greedy algorithms," Mamdani said DoorDash failed to comply with the 2023 city law intended to improve pay for delivery workers. "For years, DoorDash failed to count every hour ⁠worked by delivery workers," he said. "This was not a rounding error or an accidental mistake."

The Hill

Reuters

Italy supports women's cybersecurity project in Ethiopia

The Italian Embassy in Ethiopia has launched the Her CyberTracks training project, co-funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the European Union. The initiative aims to empower 60 female cybersecurity experts from over 29 African countries. The five-month programme focuses on developing technical and policy skills, alongside networking and mentoring opportunities. The project addresses the barriers women face in cybersecurity, and aims to create a more inclusive digital landscape. "Her CyberTracks aims to change this situation," said Luca Carpintieri, Chargé d'Affaires of the Italian Embassy, who attended the launch event.

ANSA.it

Korea reopens military service alternative for AI talent

South Korea will allow AI researchers to fulfil their military service at large corporate labs starting in 2027, reviving a programme that ended in 2013. Four companies – LG Electronics, Samsung Electronics, Samsung Medison and HD Hyundai Robotics – have been recommended to participate in the programme, according to Ministry of Science and ICT data obtained by Rep. Hwang Jung-a of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea. The initiative aims to retain top talent and strengthen the domestic AI industry. However, strict eligibility rules have left companies seeking fewer places, raising questions about the initiative's reach.

Straits Times

OTHER

Swedish prosecutors investigate election fraud claim

Swedish prosecutors are investigating potential election fraud that could lead to a re-run of the parliamentary vote in Dalarna, affecting 11 seats. The investigation, reopened due to new evidence, focuses on Mohamed Abdukardir Ali, a Left Party candidate, amid allegations of pre-marked ballots. Ali denied the claims, saying: "It's completely, completely wrong." The Election Review Board may decide on a re-run or recount if the results are deemed suspect. This would mark the first parliamentary election re-run in Sweden's history, although it is unlikely to change the overall balance of power.

U.S. News

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