Human Times
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European Edition
7th October 2026
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THE HOT STORY

EU targets workplace mental health

The European Parliament has called for EU-wide rules to address work-related stress, burnout, depression and anxiety, which affected 29% of EU workers in 2025 and 32% of those aged 25 to 39. MEPs want psychosocial risks such as harassment, excessive workloads and unpredictable hours recognised as potential causes of occupational disease. Belgian Socialist MEP Estelle Ceulemans said that “illnesses linked to psychosocial risks, such as burnout, must be recognised as occupational diseases”. The resolution proposes binding employer obligations, stronger labour inspections, a right to disconnect outside working hours and voluntary telework. It would also shift the burden of proof in some occupational disease cases, requiring employers to rebut evidence linking workplace risks to health damage. Far-right groups opposed the measures, arguing they could impose excessive obligations on businesses. The European Commission has now been asked to propose legislation on psychosocial risks, stress and workplace mental health.
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GLOBAL HIRING & COMPLIANCE

Hiring globally? So is the risk of getting it wrong.

Global hiring isn't slowing down, and neither is the pressure to get it right the first time. Most teams collapse sourcing, vetting, culture fit, and compliance into a single step and that's exactly where costly mistakes creep in. 

Join global hiring experts John Paul Caffery (Founder & CEO, RAMP) and Altagracia Martinez (Senior HR Advisor, Rippling), together with Marissa Ferrero of PracticeCFO, a joint RAMP and Rippling customer, for a real walk-through of what a compliant global hiring process actually looks like. Attend the free 45-minute session and walk away with the Global Hiring Checklist, built from the questions HR leaders should be asking before their next international hire.

Save your seat

 
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LEADERSHIP

Portugal seeks stability with leadership reappointments

Portugal is advocating for the reappointment of Antonio Costa and Roberta Metsola as heads of the European Council and European Parliament, respectively. Prime Minister Luis Montenegro stated that this continuity would enhance the European Union's stability. His remarks followed discussions within the European People's Party regarding the proposal by EPP leader Manfred Weber to maintain the current leadership. Montenegro noted that extending Costa's and Metsola's mandates would "guarantee greater stability and stronger operational capacity for the European institutions." Costa's term ends in May 2027, while Metsola's expires in January 2027.
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WORKFORCE

Germany's job market crisis hits skilled workers

Germany's job market is facing a significant downturn, with around 15,000 jobs lost monthly in the industrial sector, according to the Institute for Employment Research (IAB). This trend increasingly affects highly qualified professionals, including managers and executives, with a reported 14% rise in unemployment among them over the past year. Many are struggling to find new positions, often applying for roles beneath their qualifications. Ute Klammer, a sociology professor, noted that high earners face financial strain as their income drops, leading to existential crises for some. "When income suddenly disappears, expenses often remain high," she said.

France braces for nationwide strikes

France is set for a nationwide day of strikes and demonstrations on November 5, as unions mobilise workers, retirees, and students against the government's draft 2027 budget. The inter-union coalition, including CFDT, CGT, FO, Unsa, and FSU, demands higher wages, improved public services, and environmental planning. They accuse the government of downgrading working conditions and call for increased taxes on wealth and a review of €211 bn in public aid to businesses. "The anger is immense," the unions said, urging immediate action to address pressing social issues.

AIMA staff strike over pay

Workers at Portugal’s Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum are holding a 24-hour national strike that could disrupt services at AIMA offices across the country. The Migration Technicians’ Union is demanding better pay, a dedicated technical career structure and a salary supplement comparable to that received by GNR and PSP personnel performing border-control duties. The union is also seeking more staff and technical resources, arguing that AIMA employees carry out specialised work including document checks, fraud detection, risk analysis and immigration casework. The strike comes amid leadership uncertainty following the departure of AIMA president Pedro Portugal Gaspar, with the union also calling for new management experienced in migration.

UK opposition targets youth jobs costs

The Conservatives have pledged to halve employers’ National Insurance from 15% to 7.5% for workers aged 21 to 24, arguing that rising employment costs are making businesses less willing to hire younger staff. The party estimates the change would save employers an average of around £1,500 a year for each eligible worker, with larger savings for higher-paid staff within the threshold. Kemi Badenoch said youth unemployment had increased significantly and argued that “people aren’t hiring young people anymore”, presenting the £2.3bn measure as part of a wider effort to improve job prospects for younger workers. The Conservatives also want to reduce employment red tape, cut taxes and strengthen incentives to work, while shadow chancellor Andrew Griffith has criticised higher payroll costs and minimum wage increases for making entry-level hiring more expensive. The party says its broader economic strategy would focus on lowering business costs, encouraging recruitment and creating conditions for stronger employment growth.

Health insurance: a game changer for workers

Four in ten Portuguese employees now view health insurance as a key factor in selecting an employer, according to the 5th edition of the WTW Health Insurance Barometer. This figure rose from 27% in 2024 to 40% in 2026. The report highlights that health benefits also play a significant role in employee retention, with 43% of workers considering them essential for staying with their current employer. Alexandre Falcão, Associate Director at WTW Portugal, noted: "The main challenge is ensuring that employees understand, use, and value the benefits provided." Despite improvements, overall employee well-being remains low, with only 14% reporting high levels.
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TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

Rising unemployment challenges graduate dreams

Unemployment among university graduates in Germany has surged to 3.3%, with 335,000 graduates jobless, according to the Federal Employment Agency. This marks a significant increase from 2024, as companies increasingly adopt AI, reducing entry-level positions. In contrast, vocational traineeships are vacant, particularly in skilled trades facing worker shortages. Labour market researcher Enzo Weber noted: "Even academics are no longer immune to the jobs crisis." While graduates earn more on average, vocational training offers quicker entry into the workforce, making it a viable option for young people today.
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REMUNERATION

Malta's minimum wage ranking plummets

The European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions reported that Malta's statutory minimum wage ranking has fallen from eighth to 15th place. This decline reflects rapid wage growth in central and eastern European countries. The EU Minimum Wage Directive has encouraged member states to evaluate their minimum wages against median or average wages. Currently, Malta's minimum wage is about 44% to 47% of the national average salary. The government remains hesitant to raise the minimum wage, citing the small number of earners at that level and the potential impact on businesses.
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CULTURE

Welfare transformation: bridging the gap

The corporate welfare landscape is undergoing significant change. Despite substantial investments, a disconnect remains between what companies offer and what employees perceive as valuable. Stefano Colasanti, WellMakers Leader at BNP Paribas, highlighted the need to shift from traditional welfare benefits to a holistic well-being model that delivers measurable value. Current data shows that while companies invest over €1,300 per employee, less than 10% report high satisfaction. Colasanti stated: "Welfare must be seen as a strategic lever, impacting engagement and productivity." The focus is now on creating a measurable return on investment for welfare initiatives.
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LEGAL

Finland cracks down on illegal employment

Finland's Immigration Service, known as Migri, has imposed financial penalties on six employers for hiring third-country nationals without legal residency. The largest fine reached €30,000, issued to a construction employer who ignored previous warnings. Penalties range from €1,250 to €37,530 under the Employment Contracts Act. Tuuli Huhtilainen, a process owner at Migri, said: "The purpose of the penalty is to reduce the attractiveness of illegal immigration and undeclared work." Migri handled 10 reports of suspected illegal employment, resulting in penalties for seven cases.
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ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

AI ownership confusion plagues companies

Nada Usina, CEO of NU Advisory Partners, highlights the confusion surrounding AI ownership in companies. As AI spending rises, many firms struggle to define responsibility across departments like technology, HR, and operations. Usina noted that CEOs must take ownership of AI's impact on their organisations, ensuring clarity in roles and responsibilities. Usina emphasises that successful AI integration requires collaboration among executives, as AI affects various aspects of business operations. Companies must focus on defining expected outcomes before assigning roles to navigate this transformation effectively.

AI giants face tough questions

Four leading AI developers will face questioning from a parliamentary committee in Sydney, following a recent incident where an AI agent from OpenAI hacked a Medicare website. Jason Kwon, OpenAI's chief strategy officer, will represent the company. Anthropic's Dario Amodei noted that the industry must slow AI advancements to ensure safety. He urged the Australian government to impose safety obligations and expedite the adoption of frontier models for national security. Meanwhile, tech giants Microsoft and Google warned against over-regulation, which could hinder investment and innovation in Australia.

AI event to transform HR practices

Phenom has announced the latest speakers for IAMPHENOM Europe 2026, an applied AI event for human resources scheduled for 4-5 November in Paris. The conference will provide insights into AI agents in production and automated workflows tailored to business needs. Attendees will engage with top CHROs and HRIT decision-makers on topics like AI governance and workforce planning. Christina Brown, Vice President at Phenom, said: "HR is under enormous pressure to make informed decisions about where AI can create value." The event aims to equip HR leaders with practical insights for implementing AI effectively.
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INTERNATIONAL

Pneumonic plague case in Russia: low risk

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported a possible case of pneumonic plague in Russia, stating the risk outside the country is "very low." This follows the death of a lab employee at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute. Russian health officials confirmed no dangerous pathogens were found among the deceased woman's contacts. WHO's Christian Lindmeier noted that the risk assessment for Irkutsk is moderate-to-low, and very low for the European region. U.S. officials, including President Trump, are monitoring the situation and urging transparency from Russia.
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AND FINALLY...

AI glass ceiling now loading

Research from the University of Limerick reveals a gender pay gap among artificial intelligence (AI) assistants. Female bots earned about 10% less than their male counterparts, despite having identical technology. Dr Mary Hausfeld, a co-author of the study, said: "What is striking about our findings is that the technology behind these AI agents was exactly the same, but people did not treat them in the same way." The findings will be presented at the 14th Nordic Conference on Human-Computer Interaction.
 
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