Human Times

European Edition

16th October 2026

Together with

THE HOT STORY

European workers face growing mental health risks

Nearly 45% of European workers face workplace mental health risks, according to the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA), while 44% report severe time pressure or excessive workloads. Work-related depression costs the EU more than €100bn annually through absenteeism, lost productivity, healthcare and wider social costs. William Cockburn, EU-OSHA executive director, identified persistent stigma and reluctance to discuss mental health as major barriers to prevention. He stressed that psychological risks should receive the same systematic assessment as physical workplace hazards. Esther Lynch, general secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation, called for preventative measures addressing working conditions rather than placing responsibility on individuals. Despite legal requirements, only 45% of workers are consulted about workplace stress. The European Commission has launched its Healthy Workplaces campaign to improve risk management, employee participation and awareness. Roxana Mînzatu, executive vice-president for social rights and jobs, said healthier workplaces could reduce sickness absence, staff turnover and pressure on healthcare systems, describing the benefits as "a win-win for everyone."

Euro News

CROSS-BORDER INDEX

Every country scored on how complex it is for employers to send staff abroad

For HR and global mobility teams, cross-border work does not start with booking a flight. It starts with a legal assessment, but tighter visa rules, changing compliance requirements and expanding reporting obligations make every business trip or assignment harder to get right.

The new WorkFlex Cross-Border Index removes the guesswork. Based on almost 2 million analysed travel days from more than 500 companies, it shows where compliance needs the most lead time before a project timeline or client commitment is set.

Check how your company's target markets score →

WORKFORCE

Older Romanian workers defy retirement age

Research by HR solutions provider SD Worx reveals that 42% of Romanian employees aged 55 and over are willing to work beyond retirement age, compared with 32% across Europe. Older Romanian workers report greater job satisfaction than younger colleagues, at 84% versus 72%, while 86% feel sufficiently energetic to perform their roles effectively. They also demonstrate stronger job security, with 64% confident about automation compared with 51% of younger employees. However, only 30% regularly use AI tools, and 31% feel adequately supported in preparing for technological change. Although 46% express little interest in formal training, 63% remain keen to develop their skills. With 49% of Romanian HR decision-makers experiencing recruitment difficulties and Europe's workforce projected to shrink by 12% between 2022 and 2070, the findings highlight the importance of retaining experienced employees, improving age-inclusive development opportunities and adapting workplace support to an ageing workforce.

Business Review

German 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 affects not only lower-skilled workers but also highly qualified professionals, with a 14% rise in unemployed executives over the past year. Many individuals, including Lukas Meier, are struggling to find new roles despite their qualifications. Nils Schmidt, head of the Association for Skilled Workers, noted that job seekers now require resilience and flexibility, as the search for employment is taking longer than before. "Most find jobs again," he said, "but often in different roles."

Handelsblatt

Labour shortages plague Central Europe

Central European countries are facing significant labour shortages, with the Czech Republic projected to lose 500,000 workers by 2045 due to demographic shifts. Currently, the Czech market is short by 250,000 workers, impacting growth. Jan Sotona from the Czech Chamber of Commerce noted: "Labour shortages are a long-term structural problem." Slovakia, Hungary, and Poland also experience similar issues, with varying reliance on foreign workers. While some countries seek to recruit abroad, Hungary has restricted foreign labour, raising concerns about economic impacts.

Balkan Insight.com

Luxembourg pushes for pension increase

The Chamber of Employees (CSL) in Luxembourg has proposed a draft bill to increase the minimum pension by nearly €300, raising it to €2,706.71 monthly by 1 January 2027. The CSL highlighted that a 40-year insurance career does not guarantee protection against poverty in retirement. They noted that almost 80% of minimum pension recipients are women, whose average pension is 40.8% lower than men's. The CSL estimates the annual cost of this increase at over €30m, or 0.4% of pension expenditure, arguing it is essential to prevent pensioners from falling into poverty.

Luxembourg Times

New fund aims to tackle youth unemployment

The Work Foundation at Lancaster University has proposed a community jobs fund to create employment opportunities for more than 50,000 young people across 80 local authorities facing weak labour markets. The proposed roles would provide socially valuable work for up to 25 hours weekly, lasting 12 to 36 months and paying at least the national minimum wage. The initiative would complement the Government's Youth Guarantee programme, particularly in areas affected by long-term economic decline and limited employment opportunities. Ben Harrison, the Work Foundation's director, warned that "additional action is going to be needed to deliver lasting change in weaker local economies". Kash Sunghuttee, senior programme manager at Right to Succeed, highlighted the importance of personalised support, skills development and employer involvement.

The I

HIRING

AI misuse in job interviews revealed

Two-thirds of employers report students misusing artificial intelligence (AI) in job interviews and assessments, according to the Institute of Student Employers (ISE). The survey found that 66% of employers detected AI use without disclosure or permission. While 62% accept AI for CV and cover letter assistance, students are warned against using it later in the hiring process. Stephen Isherwood, joint chief executive of ISE, said: "AI has become problematic for everyone in the hiring process." The ISE's 2026 employer survey noted a 4% increase in recruitment this year, following an 8% drop in 2025.

Daily Mail

Hiring trends shift in Romania

In the first nine months of 2026, hiring in Romania continued, albeit at a slower rate compared to the previous year. The retail, food, transport/logistics, and financial sectors showed the most activity, according to data from eJobs.ro. Companies are still actively seeking candidates, indicating a resilient job market despite the slowdown. "The most dynamic sectors remain crucial for employment opportunities," said an industry expert.

Romaniapress

ZF English

Reform UK slams Big Four layoffs

Reform UK's Robert Jenrick has condemned Deloitte and KPMG for laying off British staff while hiring foreign workers. He stated that Deloitte laid off 800 UK employees but hired 8,800 foreign workers over five years. KPMG also faced scrutiny for sponsoring 1,100 visas while cutting 900 UK jobs. Both firms have made significant redundancies due to pandemic overhiring and economic challenges. Jenrick pointed to the need for large employers to prioritise British workers. He stated: "We want to see large employers take on more Britons and highly skilled workers." Deloitte and KPMG declined to comment.

City AM

LEGAL

Foreign workers underpaid at school project linked to organised crime

A labour exploitation scandal has emerged at the Helsinki branch of the nationwide Valteri organisation, which includes Valteri School Ruskis and the Swedish-language Skilla school, involving unpaid wages and false employment records. The Construction Union (Rakennusliitto) found that 30 workers were misclassified as self-employed, with many receiving below-standard wages. Allegations also include a subcontractor managed from an Estonian prison. Toni Malmström, a senior expert at the union, said: "Companies violating labour agreements gain an unfair advantage." The union has since placed Varatek under a boycott due to unresolved wage disputes.

Helsinki Times

Court rules in favour of ex-Air Malta HR chief

Roberto Cristiano, former chief officer of human resources at Air Malta, has been awarded €33,333 in unpaid performance bonuses by the First Hall of the Civil Court. The court ruled that Air Malta failed to establish performance targets as required by Cristiano's employment contracts. Despite the airline's claims that corporate performance indicators were not met, the court found that it did not fulfil its contractual obligations to set individual key performance indicators (KPIs) for Cristiano. The airline must also pay legal interest and court expenses. Judge Henri Mizzi presided over the case.

Independent

STRATEGY

TomTom slashes jobs to boost profits

TomTom is reducing its workforce by around 200 jobs as part of a reorganisation aimed at enhancing efficiency and profitability. The navigation system provider announced this decision in its third-quarter update, citing the need to become "more focused, faster, and more scalable." The company noted that revenue figures are falling short of expectations for 2025. TomTom said: "This move is essential to boost profitability by the end of the year."

NL Times

CORPORATE

Lufthansa eyes full takeover of TAP

Lufthansa is preparing to acquire the remaining 50.1% stake in the Portuguese airline TAP. Financial chief Till Streichert announced that the company has proposed a non-binding offer to the Portuguese government for its shares. In return, Lufthansa would offer up to 5% ownership in the airline. CEO Carsten Spohr highlighted potential synergies of €450m from the acquisition. However, analysts noted that TAP's recent financial struggles and regulatory approvals could delay the deal. The government in Lisbon may take until 2028 to decide on the proposal, while Spohr hopes for a quicker resolution.

Handelsblatt

ECONOMY

Greece's 2027 budget: a mixed bag

Greece's 2027 Budget introduces significant changes affecting households, including pension increases, wage hikes, and adjustments to social insurance contributions. Approximately 2.5m pensioners may see their pensions rise by 2.8% to 2.9%, while private-sector employees could benefit from a minimum wage increase and reduced contributions. Public-sector workers are set to receive a €500 Christmas payment. However, the overall impact on purchasing power remains uncertain due to inflation and rising living costs. Bill Giannopoulos, a Junior Editor at Greek City Times, noted: "The key issue will be whether additional income translates into meaningful purchasing power improvements."

GreekCitytimes

The Human Times is designed to help you stay ahead, spark ideas and support innovation, learning and development in your organisation.

The links under articles indicate original news sources. Some links lead directly to the source material. Others lead to paywalls where you may need a subscription. A third category are restricted by copyright rules.

For reaction and insights on any stories covered in the Human Times, join the discussion by becoming a member of our LinkedIn Group or Business Page, or follow us on X.

Online

Advertise

This e-mail has been sent to [[EMAIL_TO]]

Click here to unsubscribe