Aviva’s Working Lives report shows both employers and employees have continued to welcome the Government’s decision to introduce auto-enrolment for company pension schemes. Three in five employers (61%) in Q1 2016 agree with making the workplace the focus for automatic pension savings – a slight increase from 58% in Q1 2013. Approval rises to 74% […]

A third of people aged over 50 who are employed in the private sector are now planning to retire later than they previously hoped, Aviva’s latest Working Lives report reveals. The 2016 report – which comprises research among UK private sector employers and employees – has a particular focus on workers aged over 50, following […]

According to research commissioned by the government, three quarters of pregnant women and new mothers have experienced discrimination at work, with one in nine losing their job as a result. The Guardian reports that the research found there has been a huge spike in pregnancy discrimination since 2005, when only 45% of women said they […]

When it comes to fostering an environment that employees can thrive in, there are a few key things to consider, according to an expert panel interviewed by The Guardian. Here are the highlights. Show off your strengths Attracting the right talent is all about presenting a welcoming and trusted brand. User-generated content such as online […]

After receiving hundreds of entries, PAs from across the country and indeed from across the globe have been recognised as the best in the industry in Pitman Training’s SuperAchiever Awards 2016. The nominees have now been shortlisted to reveal PAs from Croydon, Manchester, Bristol and South Africa to be in the running for the hotly […]

Research shows that we make decisions about others within seconds of meeting them, so first impressions are paramount. Luckily, Positive Impact Coach Deborah Ogden will be on hand at the next PA Life Training Day to teach attendees how to create a strong personal brand. Deborah’s session, titled “First impressions, impact and influence”, will teach […]

Original research from recruitment firm Robert Walters has revealed that women in secretarial and support roles are the most likely to pursue training or further education during a career break (often to have children, but also for a host of other reasons), with 43% saying that they had compared to just 23% of women in […]

It has long been known that back pain is a major cause of work absence in the UK, but how many employers are aware that four in 10 believe work has caused it? In a recent survey by backpainhelp.com, 38% of people in the UK claimed that work caused their back or neck pain and […]

When you spend the majority of your time at work with your co-workers, it’s important to be able to get along with them. Here, Carol Williams from iMindQ presents her top five tips for building positive relationships with your colleagues. 1 Listen up – When you’re having a conversation with your colleagues, really listen to […]

Those of you who stopped to see us at this year’s PA Show and International Confex had the chance to enter a competition to win a £100 Red Letter Days voucher. We’re pleased to announce that our winner is Helen Meikle, EA at Macmillan Publishing. When Helen received the news from PA Life Magazine Club […]

In addition to putting senior-level PAs in touch with a range of useful suppliers, this year’s PA Life Summit promises to deliver top-notch seminar content for attendees. The event’s opening presentation comes courtesy of Marguerita King, Owner of Personal-Assistant-Tips, who’ll be talking about ‘The Executive PA as a Person of Influence’. Margeurita has trained Executive […]

Working from home is an experience meant only for the strong-willed. One day here and there is usually fine for most, but when it starts stretching into days and weeks, some people can’t handle the isolation and productivity goes out the window. Metro recently summed up some of the crazy things people do as a […]

The first organisation formed specifically to be a one-stop-shop for workplace health has launched its digital platform with the support of key expert organisations. The Better Health at Work Alliance (BHWA) is an industry-led, one-stop resource designed to make finding expertise and services easy so that implementing workplace health practice becomes a simple and obvious […]

Experience soaring state rooms or first-class personal service at Hampton Court Palace or choose the newly re-furbished Britannia Stadium to make your next event a success with our March Conference Top Picks. Stoke City FC (pictured above) With executive catering for more than 1,000 people, a variety of function suites to choose from and a […]

The launch of the new Lifetime ISA could shift employer views on workplace savings schemes for younger workers, employee benefits consultancy Portus says. Under-40s can invest up to £4,000 a year tax-free in Lifetime ISAs from April 2017 to benefit from a 25% Government bonus on savings made before age 50 and take out the […]

The Association of Serviced Apartment Providers (ASAP) is delighted to announce the first three serviced apartment booking agents to be quality accredited under it’s new Agent programme. James Foice, Chief Executive of the ASAP, comments: “I am very pleased to announce that SilverDoor, The Apartment Service and Room-B have successfully achieved full compliance and have […]

The term “millennial” refers to a person born between 1980 and 1994 – also known as Generation Y. This group will make up half of the global workforce by 2050 and already there are quite a few stereotypes of the generation out there. But Guardian reporter Aisha Gani says they’re simply not true (mostly). 1 […]

Keith Prowse, the UK’s leading corporate hospitality provider, has announced that Emily Roux, daughter of Michel Roux Jr and granddaughter to Albert Roux OBE, will join the family dynasty for the first time at the Investec Derby and The Championships at Wimbledon. Setting out to make her own mark in the culinary world, Emily will […]