LEEDS, April 9, 2026:Full-time employment in the UK is growing almost three times faster than part-time work, according to new data from Employment Hero, a global leader in human resources, recruitment and payroll software. Analysis of anonymized records from more than 100,000 employees found that full-time employment grew 13.4% year-on-year in 2026, compared to just 4.9% growth for part-time employment – a significant shift toward stable, permanent work that has accelerated sharply since the start of the year.
Leeds are leading this national trend. Full-time employment in the city grew by almost 20% year-on-year (19.4%) in February 2026, the fastest rate of any city in England, just ahead of Bristol (19.3%).
The results come as Employment Hero announces a new partnership with Leeds Rhinos, one of rugby league’s most historic and beloved clubs. The partnership unites two organizations with a shared commitment to supporting people, building strong teams and investing in the communities that matter most.
Separate Employment Hero research reveals that more than eight in ten (81%) business owners in Yorkshire say they started their business to contribute to their local area, higher than the UK national average of 76%, highlighting the strong sense of community that underpins entrepreneurship in the region.
Rugby league has been part of the social fabric of the north of England for generations, and Leeds Rhinos have played a central role in that history for over a century. Founded on the streets of Leeds in 1865 and one of the founding clubs of rugby league itself, the Rhinos are ingrained in the city’s identity.
Today, the club is as much about community as it is about the game. The Leeds Rhinos Foundation runs employment programs that help young people take their first steps into the world of work and support adults who have dropped out of it, from CV writing to job searching and career paths. This commitment to employment is what makes partnering with Employment Hero a natural fit.
Working with the club, Employment Hero will collaborate on a program of activities designed to engage and support business leaders and the wider community. This will include bespoke experiences for local employers at Headingley Stadium, providing an insight into how elite sporting organizations operate behind the scenes.
Maisie Goss, VP of UK Marketing at Employment Hero, commented:
“As a born and bred Leodensian, seeing Leeds lead the growth of full-time employment in England is something I am extremely proud of. What our research tells us is that business owners in Yorkshire are not just growing for growth. Businesses are supporting their region, and you see it in the way they hire, the way they invest in their employees and the way they present themselves to their communities. Employment Hero exists to make all of this easier. This partnership with Leeds Rhinos, a club built on these same community values, is about ensuring that the employers who drive Yorkshire’s growth have everything they need to continue to do so.
Jamie Jones-Buchanan MBE, CEO of Leeds Rhinos, said:
“I was born in Leeds, played my whole career here and this city runs through everything I do. Rugby league has always been a working man’s sport – built on close-knit communities, strong bonds and caring for each other. That’s exactly what I see from small business owners in this area every day. Partnering with Employment Hero seems like a natural fit because they understand that. It’s not just about business, it’s about making sure the people who make this city tick have the support that they deserve and can continue to create jobs in our city.”
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