Wages stories
New data show Kiwi small firms generating less per hour than peers in Australia and the UK, as rising costs squeeze margins.
Businesses can now test near-term liquidity without changing the ledger, as Xero's new planner uses bank history and manual entries to forecast cash.
Errors in hourly workers' pay could be flagged sooner, as the new system analyses runs against five years of history before payday.
Households and firms face renewed pressure, as mixed survey data point to the Reserve Bank of Australia staying tight and possibly lifting rates again.
The new link should cut manual reconciliation and give smaller firms a clearer view of cash flow as costs and admin pressures mount.
The spending now supports more than 41,000 jobs in Ohio, while Amazon's local sellers and suppliers add further economic lift across the state.
Only 22% of tech staff have formal AI training, leaving Australian employers exposed to skills gaps as adoption races ahead.
Rising demand for digital skills is pushing employers to compete harder as Canada's tech workforce heads towards 1.54 million in 2026.
Demand for digital skills is tightening hiring across UK industries, with tech roles now making up 6.4% of jobs and paying 53% more.
Higher housing and wage pressures are keeping Australian inflation too hot for the Reserve Bank to rule out another rate rise as soon as November.
Weaker demand and rising wage costs are leaving most SMEs in a holding pattern, with few planning to add staff over the next year.
Rising costs and weaker spending left many small firms under pressure, even as national SME activity still managed quarterly growth of 0.6%.
Only 12% of Australian operators say now is a good time to open a venue, as rising costs and weaker spend squeeze margins.
Higher labour costs are pushing retailers to cut hiring and raise prices as employee experience slips down the agenda, WorkJam says.
AI skills are pushing up salaries across Australian workplaces, with employers struggling to price talent amid fierce competition.
Canadian workers worry AI is squeezing pay and prospects, with university graduates and younger staff feeling the pressure most, Borderless AI says.
Many small businesses may delay investment and hiring unless the Federal Budget delivers tax relief and help with rising costs.
Higher fuel and borrowing costs are starting to squeeze builders, with insolvencies likely to rise if Strait of Hormuz disruptions persist.
Momentum stayed firm for Australian small businesses in the March quarter, as sales, jobs and wages all rose despite higher fuel costs.
Flexibility is emerging as a bigger draw than pay in construction and engineering, as firms battle shortages and retention pressures.