Lucy Burton

London

Employment Editor and Columnist at The Telegraph

Employment editor and columnist @telegraph.

Articles

Gen Z want schools and universities to prepare them for war

3 days ago | yahoo.com | Lucy Burton

Nearly half of Generation Z want schools and universities to do more to prepare them for a career in defence. According to a new poll, 48pc of 18 to 24-year-olds want more military opportunities during their schooling, as they respond to rising geopolitical tensions. The survey, carried out by Boston Consulting Group (BCG), also found that since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, more than three quarters of the general public want the Government to grow its defence industry.
The reign of the office snowflakes must end now

3 days ago | aol.co.uk | Lucy Burton

From being given the wrong coloured cup to not having her banana cut in the right way, my toddler is in the habit of being offended by almost anything and everything. But she is in good company. As it turns out, the so-called terrible twos really linger. Adults are having tantrums over ludicrous things everywhere, throwing their proverbial toys out of the pram not only at home but also at the workplace. What once would have been considered embarrassing is now encouraged.
Gen Z want schools and universities to prepare them for war

3 days ago | telegraph.co.uk | Lucy Burton

The BCG findings showed that while a fifth of Gen Z think working in the defence sector is a strong and meaningful career, around half see it as a good career, but an ethically complicated one. The results have been published as the defence industry battles a recruitment crisis, with the Royal Air Force forced to close stalls at university job fairs earlier this year following student protests.
The reign of the office snowflakes must end now

3 days ago | telegraph.co.uk | Lucy Burton

"Mental health is a very difficult thing to deal with," says one boss. "In the old days, the issue was timekeeping, which was specific. When it's not specific, it becomes very difficult to handle. "Let's say there's a performance issue - if the person then says, 'sorry I can't cope because I've got X condition and you're now putting too much pressure on me', how are you supposed to respond? "That's the issue, really - how do you tell if someone is gaming the system?
Unions prepare for battle as Farage threatens Doge-style crackdown

4 days ago | telegraph.co.uk | Lucy Burton

Reform wooed workers as it swept local elections, but now it's coming after council jobsWhen Unite, Labour's biggest union backer, ran a private poll of its members before last year's general election, the results were eye-opening. Although Labour led, union chiefs were alarmed to discover growing support for Nigel Farage's Reform.
Angela Rayner’s flexible working push ‘threatens national security’

6 days ago | yahoo.com | Lucy Burton

Angela Rayner’s push to make it easier to request flexible working poses a threat to national security, Lords have warned. Conservative peer Lord Sharpe of Epsom said that the Employment Rights Bill, which promises to give employees a day-one right to request flexible working, could “unintentionally create significant risks to national security” unless it excluded Britain’s security services.
Angela Rayner's flexible working push 'threatens national security'

6 days ago | telegraph.co.uk | Lucy Burton

Lord Sharpe said: "The national security landscape is dynamic and fast-moving and requires the utmost flexibility, discretion and responsiveness from their employees."He was among a number of peers who raised concerns about the reforms as the House of Lords continued to examine individual parts of the Bill on Thursday. The legislation, which is being overseen by Ms Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister, will strengthen the power of workers and trade unions.
NHS worker wins £30,000 after being compared to Darth Vader

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Lucy Burton

An NHS employee has been awarded almost £30,000 after being compared to Darth Vader by a colleague, an employment tribunal has ruled. The tribunal heard how Lorna Rooke, a blood donation worker, was offended after a colleague took a Star Wars-themed personality test on her behalf and told colleagues how the results showed she had a Darth Vader-type personality.
Working fathers are being crushed in high-cost Britain

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Lucy Burton

Could a $5,000 (£3,766) baby bonus for new mothers convince more Americans to have kids? The idea is being considered by Donald Trump’s administration and the president might think it sounds like a good idea. But the maths don’t add up. If that was offered in Britain, which is one of the most expensive in the world for childcare and housing, that one-off cash-prize would barely even cover one month of nursery and mortgage repayments.
Working fathers are being crushed in high-cost Britain

1 week ago | telegraph.co.uk | Lucy Burton

Traditional gender roles are ingrained in our society from the beginning of a child's life. New fathers often start parenthood with the worst statutory paternity leave entitlement in Europe - a measly two weeks - before finding that they have fewer flexible working options than female colleagues when they do return to work.