The Employment Network

12/03/2026

Sometimes the biggest financial risks aren’t bad decisions, they’re missed updates ⚠️
A recent VAT tribunal case showed how easily businesses can fall foul of quiet legislative changes, even when using competent accountants. The result? Over £500k in VAT exposure and a £43k penalty all from something that slipped under the radar.
It’s a sharp reminder that compliance is a two-way street and that proactive finance talent makes a real commercial difference 💡

The best accountants don’t just process numbers. They track regulatory shifts, challenge assumptions, and protect businesses from costly blind spots.
In a market where payroll, tax and employment rules keep shifting, hiring finance professionals with their finger firmly on the pulse isn’t a luxury, it’s a competitive advantage 🚀

Check out this success story of a £40,000 VAT penalty appeal: https://heyor.ca/YvI5Zn

Franz Kafka could have devised the law changes and government practice that gave rise to the successful taxpayer appeal against a £43,438 VAT penalty in

11/03/2026

Great finance hires don’t just keep the numbers straight, they make businesses stronger. 💼

From payroll and bookkeeping to senior finance leadership, the right people bring proactive problem-solving, deep software knowledge and the confidence to spot risks early and opportunities faster. They improve processes, strengthen compliance, and make better decisions easier.

At The Employment Network, we connect employers with finance professionals who genuinely add value, not just fill seats.

Ready to reach out: https://www.theemploymentnetwork.co.uk/

10/03/2026

What can AI really do for employee benefits? 🤖✨

Most employers still think about AI purely in terms of productivity, but its biggest impact could be in how benefits are designed, delivered and experienced. AI can personalise benefits 🎯, highlight what matters most to employees 💡, improve communication 📣, and remove admin friction ⏱️. The result? A clearer, more engaging benefits experience that people genuinely value.

In a market where attraction and retention are driven by culture, wellbeing and flexibility, smarter benefits could become a powerful competitive edge 🚀. Employers who move early won’t just stand out, they’ll stay ahead.

Find out more, here: https://heyor.ca/dOKetZ

Artificial intelligence is revolutionising employee benefits delivery, offering data-driven insights and personalised experiences while automating administrative tasks.

05/03/2026

A recent tribunal decision has quietly signalled that remote and hybrid working can no longer be treated as a given, even for high performers. As flexibility tightens, roles that remove it risk shrinking their talent pool at exactly the moment competition for skilled professionals remains intense.

For employers, this creates a clear opportunity: organisations that genuinely balance flexibility with collaboration will stand out fast. In a cautious labour market, flexible working isn’t just a perk, it’s a differentiator that can pull talent away from slower-moving competitors.

More: https://heyor.ca/NXKfMp

A fifth of UK workers (21%) fail to take their full holiday allowance because of workplace pressures and demands, research has found.

04/03/2026

Thinking about your next move in finance? 💼

Whether you’re a payroll administrator, bookkeeper, finance manager, accountant or auditor, the right opportunity can completely change your career trajectory.
At The Employment Network, we work closely with high-quality employers across the UK to match finance professionals with roles that genuinely move the needle, from progression and flexibility to culture, salary and long-term security.

If you’re quietly exploring what else is out there, or actively ready for a new challenge, now’s a great time to take a look at what’s available. You might be surprised by what’s waiting 👀

Browse our latest roles or get in touch for a confidential chat: https://www.theemploymentnetwork.co.uk/job-board

03/03/2026

A recent tribunal decision has quietly signalled that remote and hybrid working can no longer be treated as a given, even for high performers. As flexibility tightens, roles that remove it risk shrinking their talent pool at exactly the moment competition for skilled professionals remains intense.

For employers, this creates a clear opportunity: organisations that genuinely balance flexibility with collaboration will stand out fast. In a cautious labour market, flexible working isn’t just a perk, it’s a differentiator that can pull talent away from slower-moving competitors.

More: https://heyor.ca/ObkfYg

The City regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority, has told thousands of employees to step up their return to its offices.

26/02/2026

👻 Ghost jobs aren’t just a candidate problem, they’re an employer risk
New research suggests a significant share of job adverts never convert into real hires. Whether intentional or not, roles left live without active hiring plans are quietly damaging employer trust.

For employers, this is a moment to pause and reflect:
🔎 Are live vacancies genuinely active and current?
🧭 Do job ads clearly reflect real requirements, timelines and intent?
💬 Are candidates kept informed when roles pause, change or close?

In a market where skilled talent has options, unclear or outdated listings don’t just waste candidate time they repel the very people businesses want to attract.

Transparent recruitment isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing the basics well, and protecting your employer brand in the process. Worth reviewing your vacancies through a candidate’s eyes.

Read more here: https://heyor.ca/ZXk5PB

Fake job adverts are widespread in the UK, raising concerns about recruitment transparency and the impact on jobseekers’ mental health.

25/02/2026

Senior finance professionals across Oxfordshire are taking stock of what they want next, not just a new title, but a role that genuinely fits their experience, values and long-term ambitions.

The market has shifted. Employers are being more selective, and senior candidates are doing the same. That means the best opportunities aren’t always the loudest or most visible, they’re often the ones where businesses are quietly looking for trusted finance leaders who understand modern systems, regulatory change, payroll complexity and the commercial reality behind the numbers.

If you’re established in finance, payroll or accountancy and open to exploring what’s next in Oxfordshire, a discreet conversation can make all the difference. The Employment Network works closely with organisations that value experience, leadership and clarity and with professionals who want their next move to be the right one, not just the next one.

Stop by our latest roles: https://www.theemploymentnetwork.co.uk/job-board

24/02/2026

🏆 Why smart employers study benefits trends (not just set them)

With the Employee Benefits Awards 2026 deadline extended, it’s a timely reminder that the organisations winning recognition aren’t just offering more benefits, they’re offering better-aligned ones.

Across categories like financial wellbeing, mental health, pensions and recognition, the common thread is this: benefits that actively support long-term retention and engagement, not short-term attraction alone.

For employers, this presents a valuable opportunity:
🔍 Review what peers and competitors are being recognised for
📊 Benchmark your own reward and benefits strategy against best practice
🧠 Identify which schemes genuinely motivate, retain and grow top talent

Awards season isn’t just about trophies. It’s a live snapshot of where employee expectations are heading and which strategies are actually working in practice.

The question for 2026 isn’t “Do we offer benefits?”
It’s “Are our benefits strong enough to keep our best people?”

Take a look: https://heyor.ca/O4bfot

The deadline for the Employee Benefits Awards 2026 has been extended until midnight on Friday 6 February 2026.

19/02/2026

📢 The Employment Rights Act 2025: Time to prepare

The government has confirmed it will stick to the current implementation timetable for the Employment Rights Act 2025, despite some details still to be finalised in secondary legislation.

Key dates include:
🔹 April 2026: Day one rights to statutory sick pay and paternity leave, plus launch of the Fair Work Agency
🔹 October 2026: Third-party harassment reforms take effect
🔹 2027: Rights for zero- and low-hours workers

Experts warn that businesses cannot wait until the last minute to act. Preparation now is crucial, from reviewing policies and training to assessing impacts on workforce planning and operations.

With generational changes in work coming fast, employers who plan early will be best placed to navigate the new rules smoothly and maintain a compliant, resilient workplace.

See more: https://heyor.ca/BvVCpL

Minister tells parliament: ‘As set out in the Implementation Roadmap, the Employment Rights Act 2025 will be delivered in phases’

18/02/2026

💡 Top finance talent isn’t just comparing salaries anymore, they’re assessing signals.

Senior accountants, payroll specialists and finance leaders look closely at how a role is positioned before they ever apply. Vague listings, outdated benefits and unclear progression paths quietly push the best candidates elsewhere.

What attracts in-demand finance talent right now?
• Clear scope and decision-making authority
• Transparency on systems, tech stack and change projects
• Flexible working that’s genuinely supported
• Benefits that reflect wellbeing, development and longevity
• A role description that shows intent not a wish list

The Employment Network works with businesses to refine job messaging, benchmark benefits, and shape offers that resonate with today’s finance professionals before roles go to market.

Because the strongest candidates don’t need persuading, they need clarity, credibility and a reason to commit.

Visit us: https://www.theemploymentnetwork.co.uk/