It’s the time of year when seasonal festivities are in full swing and thoughts are inevitably turning to family, friends, celebrations and time away from work.
It is also the time of year when many of us look back and wonder just where the year has gone. Is it just me or does this year feel like it’s absolutely flown past?
Looking back at all that has happened over the past 12 months, it is perhaps not surprising that it feels like it has hurtled past at such a pace. From President Donald Trump’s inauguration in January and his numerous jaw-dropping (in my opinion) announcements and policy proposals, to the UK’s triggering of Article 50 in March and subsequent Brexit negotiations, the world has, at times, seemed an uncertain and unstable place with the potential for further economic and political change to come.
In the world of employee benefits and reward, meanwhile, we have seen organisations respond to changes such as ongoing developments in technology, the government’s changes to salary sacrifice arrangements, as well as begin to prepare for next year’s introduction of legislation including gender pay gap reporting and the General Data Protection Regulations.
As ever, some employers have taken this a step further, by also reporting on factors such as ethnicity pay data, for example. It is organisations such as these that are responsible for driving the agenda forward, and in some cases, shaping new ways of thinking and bringing about much-needed evolution and innovation.
So, while the over-riding sense of change looks set to continue, the opportunities this presents should not be overlooked.
Wishing you all a happy and healthy festive season. See you in 2018!
Debbie Lovewell-TuckEditorTweet: @DebbieLovewell
