Relief for UK workers in Vodafone closures; you hate your boss, what now? and more top news

The news professionals are talking about now, curated by LinkedIn’s editors. Join the conversation on today's stories in the comments. 

UK stores have escaped unharmed as Vodafone announced it will close more than 1,000 stores across its international markets. The telecoms company will reduce its 7,700 stores by 15% within two years in a bid to move more customers online and to integrate its new German business. The plans will not reduce the number of stores in the UK, where the group recently said it would open 24 new stores this year and 50 next year, creating 100 jobs in a ￡5.5m investment. ? Here’s what people are saying. 

Barclays has placed a freeze on closing branches in remote areas or where it is the last bank in town until 2021. More than 100 branches will be ring-fenced as the lender explores flexible opening hours and services such as video banking to boost customer demand. But the bank has been slammed for the “damaging and counterproductive” decision to stop allowing customers of banks to withdraw cash from the Post Office for free. Last year, the Post Office's 11,500-plus branches handled more than 130 million transactions on behalf of UK lenders. ? Here’s what people are saying.

Also… Thousands of freelancers working for Lloyds Banking Group are facing redundancy or pay cuts of up to 30%, the FT reports. ? Here’s what people are saying.

UK productivity fell at its fastest pace in five years between April and June, according to the ONS. Measured in output per hour, the figure fell by 0.5% compared with Q2 last year and it followed two quarters of zero growth. ONS data shows the UK has been held back by low productivity since the financial crisis, and it suggests this has been exacerbated since the Brexit vote in 2016, the Guardian reports. It comes as Britain slipped down the rankings of the most competitive economies, according to the World Economic Forum. ? Here’s what people are saying.

More than a quarter of women have never requested a pay rise, according to a survey. A poll of 2,000 people for Good Money Week ?— a campaign to raise awareness of ethical and sustainable finance ?— found that 27% of women have never broached the subject of a pay rise with their boss, compared with 18% of men, amid concerns about seeming awkward or difficult. Last month, charity boss Cheryl Giovannoni said girls should be taught at school how to ask for a payrise. ? Here’s what people are saying.

Some 7% of people say they don't get on with their boss, according to research by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). Ben Willmott, head of public policy at the CIPD, told the BBC that it usually stems from people feeling like they've been treated unfairly or given an excessive workload. The best course of action? Sit down with your manager and have a frank conversation. "[They] may be completely unaware of how their behaviour is being perceived and that in itself might be enough to be a bit of a wake-up call," Willmott said. ? Here’s what people are saying.

Idea of the Day: If you’re told there's been negative feedback about you but the person doesn't want to tell you themselves, there's a good chance you're being sabotaged, says J.T. O’Donnell, CEO at WorkItDaily.

"Coworkers who care about you as a professional will find the tactful way to share their concerns. Whereas, a coworker who could care less if you stay or go is more inclined to pass the feedback along in secret."

What's your take on today’s stories? Share your thoughts in the comments.

— Natalie MacDonald and Emily Spaven