Employment law news in brief - June 2026

Government launches 300,000 placements in drive to boost youth employment

The government has announced 300,000 new work experience and training placements to help young people into jobs and tackle rising youth unemployment.

The Department for Work and Pensions said the opportunities will be available across sectors including construction, health and social care, and hospitality, giving participants the chance to build skills and gain practical experience. 

Ministers will deliver the placements over the next three years as part of a £2.5 billion youth employment support package. The scheme forms part of the government’s “Youth Guarantee”, which aims to ensure every young person has access to work or training opportunities. 

The initiative comes as figures show that more than one million young people are not in education, employment or training. A recent independent review into youth unemployment warned that a lack of work experience remains a major barrier to entering the workforce. 

The placements will combine traditional work experience with Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs). These short, government-funded courses provide training, hands-on workplace experience and a guaranteed job interview for participants.

Poll suggests shift in workplace attitudes to sexual harassment

New polling published by Acas indicates that recent international media coverage of sexual harassment may be contributing to improvements in workplace culture across Great Britain.

The YouGov survey of 1,000 workers, conducted between 5 and 11 February 2026, found that 24% of respondents believed such coverage had helped improve their workplace environment. A further 46% neither agreed nor disagreed, while 12% disagreed and 18% said they did not know. The results were weighted to reflect business size and regional distribution.

Acas said the findings point to some positive movement in attitudes but emphasised that employers must continue to take proactive steps to address sexual harassment at work.

Acas urges employers to prepare workplace policies ahead of World Cup

Acas has urged employers to plan ahead for the 2026 World Cup, warning that clear workplace arrangements are essential to manage potential disruption during the tournament.

The workplace expert said many employees will want to follow matches, attend events or stay updated on results, particularly as games will take place between 11 June and 19 July across North America. UK kick-off times are expected to range from 5pm to 5am due to time differences. 

Acas advised organisations to put simple agreements in place covering holiday requests, sickness absence and flexible working before the tournament begins. 

Employers may wish to take a flexible approach to time off where possible, although requests should be handled fairly and consistently. At the same time, staff have been reminded that it may not always be possible to approve leave. 

The organisation also warned against inappropriate behaviour linked to match viewing, including attending work under the influence of alcohol. Employers have been encouraged to remind staff of workplace rules and disciplinary policies during the period.

Most graduates in work or study despite slight dip in employment

New official statistics show that 87% of graduates from 2023–24 were in work or further study 15 months after leaving higher education, indicating continued resilience in the graduate labour market.

Data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) found that 57% of graduates were in full-time employment, a slight fall from 59% the previous year. A further 25% combined work with study, while 5% were engaged in further study only. 

However, unemployment rose modestly, with 7% of graduates out of work compared with 6% previously, and a further 7% reported other activities such as travelling or caring responsibilities. 

Among those in employment, 75% were working in highly skilled roles, with science graduates more likely to secure such positions than those from non-science disciplines. 

The figures also show improving pay outcomes, with the median salary for graduates in full-time UK employment rising to £30,000, up from £28,500 the year before.

Temporary hiring improves as employers scale back permanent recruitment

Demand for temporary workers rose sharply in May as UK employers cut back on permanent hiring amid ongoing economic uncertainty, according to new labour market data.

The latest Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and KPMG report found that permanent placements fell at the fastest rate since July 2025. 

In contrast, temporary staff billings recorded their strongest increase in more than three years, reflecting a shift towards short-term hiring as organisations seek greater flexibility. The strongest growth in temporary hiring was reported in southern England, while London also saw increases, albeit at a slower pace. By contrast, permanent recruitment declined across most regions, with the Midlands and the south experiencing the steepest falls. 

The data also highlights a weakening labour market more broadly. UK job vacancies fell to 705,000 in the three months to April, a 7.1% annual drop and the lowest level recorded in five years. 

Working mothers face greater stress and burnout

Working mothers in the UK are significantly more likely than fathers to experience stress and burnout due to caring responsibilities, according to new research from Deloitte.

The survey of more than 2,000 working parents highlights a clear imbalance in how work and family pressures are distributed, with women more likely to report negative impacts on their wellbeing. 

Key findings include:

• 64% of working mothers feel overwhelmed by responsibilities, compared with 38% of fathers
• 66% of mothers report burnout, versus 47% of men
• 57% of parents feel mentally exhausted or burnt out overall
• One in four parents use nearly two weeks of annual leave each year for caring responsibilities; and
• 56% of parents avoid taking sick leave if they have recently taken time off to care for someone.

The findings also reveal uneven expectations in the workplace, with employers more likely to expect mothers to deal with last-minute childcare issues. Women are also more likely to need flexible working arrangements when returning from leave.

AI reshaping jobs faster than organisations adapt, report finds

Artificial intelligence is transforming jobs and workplace skills faster than organisations are adapting, according to new research from Boston Consulting Group (BCG).

The global survey of more than 11,000 workers found that 72% believe AI has already significantly changed the skills required in their roles, while 47% now spend more time managing and directing AI than carrying out tasks themselves. 

AI adoption continues to accelerate, particularly among frontline employees, with 74% now using the technology regularly. However, the report highlights a gap between productivity gains and organisational change, as many businesses struggle to translate time savings into measurable value. 

Although 42% of regular users say AI saves them at least a full working day each week, most report receiving little guidance on how to use that additional time effectively. 

The findings also reveal a mixed impact on employee experience. While 67% of regular users say AI has improved job satisfaction, 41% report increased mental strain, creating what researchers describe as a “paradox” where AI makes work both easier and more demanding.

Toolkit launched to place disabled voices at centre of PIP review

The government has launched a new engagement toolkit to ensure disabled people play a central role in shaping the Timms Review of Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

The Department for Work and Pensions said the resources will help organisations run workshops and events with disabled people and those with long-term health conditions, enabling them to share their experiences and views. 

The initiative follows the closure of the review’s Call for Evidence on 28 May, which received around 38,000 responses. Ministers will now expand engagement to capture further insight from across the country. 

The toolkit includes ready-to-use materials and a “Workshop in a Box” to support sessions exploring three key areas: the purpose of PIP, the experience of applying for the benefit, and how decisions are made. Organisations can submit feedback from these sessions until 17 July.

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