Zoe Wickens
Zoe Wickens is a journalist with five years of experience writing for trade and business to business publications. She joined Employee Benefits as a reporter in May 2021 and writes news and features content for the website. She won the Willis Towers Watson pay, reward and employee benefits journalist of the year award in 2023. Before writing about the HR, reward and benefit industry she worked as a reporter for publications about the optical and eyewear market and the UK stock market.
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ArticleBAE Systems staff accept 6% pay rise and additional annual leave
More than 1,000 BAE Systems employees based at factories at Warton and Samlesbury have accepted a 6% pay rise following ongoing strike action.
ArticlePrimark increases retail employee pay across Great Britain
Clothing retailer Primark is to increase the hourly pay of retail employees located across Great Britain from 1 April.
Article32% of UK staff do not feel confident they will retire with a comfortable income
A third (32%) of UK staff do not feel confident that they will retire with a comfortable income, rising to 48% of workers aged 45-54, according to research by Barnett Waddingham, part of Howden.
ArticleTarget Group reports 18.34% mean gender pay gap
Digital transformation, software and business process outsourcing provider Target Group has reported an 18.34% mean gender pay gap, the lowest it has ever reported.
ArticleExclusive: 44% of employees want workplace recognition and appreciation
Almost half (44%) of UK employees want recognition and appreciation in the workplace, according to research by mental health training provider Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England.
ArticleRenfrewshire Council awarded menopause-friendly accreditation
Renfrewshire Council in Scotland has been awarded menopause-friendly accreditation as part of a commitment to make every employee feel valued, respected and able to thrive.
ArticleAdmiral Group to award 13,000 staff free share awards worth up to £1,800
Admiral Group has announced that it will award more than 13,000 employees free share awards worth up to £1,800 due to record profit performance.
ArticleMarine Products Scotland transitions to employee ownership trust
Marine Products Scotland has transitioned to an employee ownership trust (EOT) to secure its long-term future and place the business in the hands of its employees.
ArticleRosewood Hotel Group introduces global gender-neutral parental leave
Rosewood Hotel Group has launched a global parental leave policy that offers a minimum standard of 16 weeks of fully-paid parental leave across its international portfolio.
People MovesRailpen appoints Sian Myers as chief people officer
Railpen, manager of the railways pension scheme in the UK, has appointed Sian Myers to be its new chief people officer.
ArticleYorkhill Housing Association to begin 12-month four-day week pilot
Yorkhill Housing Association will begin a 12-month pilot of a four-day working week in April.
Article18% of job adverts promote at least one legal entitlement as a benefit
Nearly a fifth (18%) of job adverts have promoted at least one legal entitlement as a benefit, according to research by Reward Gateway | Edenred.
ArticleCalifornia hardware store has canine employee of the month
A hardware store in California, US has gone viral after a customer shared her experience with a friendly staff member, who happened to be a chocolate Labrador dog.
ArticleThe top 10 stories between 27 February - 5 March 2026
The top 10 stories between 27 February - 5 March 2026 on employeebenefits.co.uk:
ArticleMicrosoft, ADP and Workday among best companies for women in 2026
Microsoft, cloud-based HR management firm ADP and HR software platform Workday have been named as some of the best companies for women in 2026.
Article23% of women believe parental leave has slowed career progression
Just under a quarter (23%) of women who have taken parental leave feel their career progression has slowed as a result, according to research by HiBob.
ArticleGovernment launches gender pay gap and menopause action plans
The government has introduced gender pay gap and menopause action plans to support women to succeed at work.
Article44% of employers offer both enhanced parental leave and pay
Employee Benefits poll: Almost half (44%) of employers said they offer both enhanced parental leave and pay.
ArticleTesco employees to share £134 million payout from sharesave scheme
More than 22,000 employees at supermarket Tesco can share in a £134 million windfall following the performance of its sharesave scheme.
ArticleMarks and Spencer to increase pay by 6.4%
Marks and Spencer (M and S) will increase UK retail staff pay by 6.4% from 1 April.