Ask the expert: Suspending an employee
An employee has been suspended due to mistakes made, but was not informed of these errors until the meeting at which he was suspended. Should another course of action have been taken? Esther Smith and Matthew Whelan advise. The question:We have recently suspended one of our employees due to mistakes they have made over the […]
Software Satisfaction Awards 2009: The race is on
Now in its fourth year, the race is now on for Sift Media’s prestigious Software Satisfaction Awards 2009. Based on the UK’s biggest single market research survey, the Software Satisfaction Awards are based on ratings from business software users of the products they use in the following areas: ease of use; functionality; reliability; and value […]
How a referee reacts to negative feedback
Referees have been on my mind a lot recently. At a recent football (soccer) game the West Bromwich Albion fans (for those overseas think of a team perenially struggling to make it into the big time) took considerable offence at how the referree – Rob Styles – handled the game against Manchester United. Ignoring the […]
Flexible working extension: How will it affect you?
This April could see many more employees asking to work flexibly, when parents of children aged up to 16 will be given the right to request flexible working. Amy Fielding explains how this extension will affect employers. On 1 April 2009, the government is intending to extend the right to request flexible working hours for […]
Discrimination: Religion, belief and sexual orientation
Last month saw the fifth anniversary of the legislation that prohibits discrimination and harassment on the grounds of sexual orientation and religion or belief. Audrey Williams highlights some cases that show that these regulations have provided employers with many difficult challenges. Accommodating beliefsOne question that has challenged many employers is whether they must adjust their […]
HR tip: Following disciplinary procedure
These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Question: "With changes in the law approaching, do we still have to follow the discipline procedure?" HR tip: Until the law changes in April you must adhere rigidly to the existing statutory procedures. […]
Leading Leisure Provider is ‘Fit for Business’ After Implementing COA Solutions HCM System
freedomleisure, a leading not-for-profit provider of community leisure across Sussex, has significantly streamlined its human resource (HR) and payroll processes as a result of implementing a Human Capital Management (HCM) system from COA Solutions. This HCM system, consisting of HR, payroll, recruitment, training and self-service modules has been made available to authorised staff across 15 […]
Online social networking: The productivity paradox
The Web 2.0 revolution is transforming the very fabric of business and society today. But does banning wikis, blogs and sites such as Facebook at work boost productivity, or damage engagement, networks and creativity? Matthew Fraser and Soumitra Dutta discuss. The loudly trumpeted Web 2.0 business revolution has been frustrated by a powerful paradox. While […]
Ask the expert: Maternity and redundancy
A position, held by an employee who is currently on maternity leave, is to be made redundant. How should the employer handle the situation to avoid the risk of a discrimination claim? Esther Smith and Martin Brewer advise. The question:We are currently in a redundancy situation and have been meeting with staff in one part […]
HR in America: The last leg of the trip
In the final part of her diary showcasing HR across the pond, Lynn Starsmore visits the HR department of a hospital and medical research centre and flies home ready to put all her ideas into practice. Palm Springs & San BernadinoEven though Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear Lake had been fantastic, we were all really […]
Only 3% of UK Organisations Have a Completely Automated Procurement Process
Research by the National Computing Centre (NCC) in partnership with business management and information systems provider, COA Solutions (www.coasolutions.com), has revealed that just 3% of UK organisations have a totally automated procurement process. It also highlights that although only 25% of organisations have a green and sustainable procurement policy across their entire organisations, 69% believe […]
Performance appraisals every day?
Performance Appraisal every day sounds slightly ‘nightmarish’ in concept to most people, but let’s consider it in the context of effective Performance Management.An appraisal is simply a method of assessing performance; typically this is an annual affair, sometimes with an interim review at the 6 month mark.Traditionally, it encompasses a review of objectives and progress […]
Sorting the wheat from the chaff: Talent management in a recession
As the economic crisis deepens, an effective talent management strategy is more important than ever. But is it professional or even ethical to use the recession as a convenient means of shedding poor performers? Verity Gough argues that it’s not what you do, but how you do it. If it isn’t the number of home […]
In turbulent times, people matter
As the current economic downturn unfolds, it is easy to focus only on short-term implications, but in so doing you could make decisions that could cripple your organisation in the long term, warns Graeme Codrington. Crisis times can breed panic mindsets. In particular, companies are in danger of being short-sighted about how they manage their […]
HR tip: Changing terms of employment after TUPE
These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Question: "A month ago a group of employees was transferred to our company under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations (TUPE). We would like to bring their terms and conditions of […]
Disciplinary procedures: Out with the old and in with the new
The current statutory dismissal and grievance procedures are to be scrapped in April, in favour of a more simple process. John Ruddell discusses the impact this will have on organisations. A new ACAS Code, which will be a key feature of the government’s Employment Act, will come into force on 6 April 2009. The Act […]
Equality Bill: Stifling women’s rise to the boardroom
Despite years of flexible working and child-friendly policies, women are still struggling to reach the boardroom and the proposed Equality Bill may make this rise to power even harder to achieve, says Judith Germain. Designed to bring together nine major laws and over 100 regulations, the proposed Equality Bill means that companies will be free […]
HR in America: Big country, big company
In the third instalment of her diary of HR across the pond, HR manager Lynn Starsmore visits a large organisation and discovers that certain policies and procedures are carried out very differently to her company back home. Area 3: Lake ArrowheadThe third destination was Lake Arrowhead, which reminded me very much of home with its […]
Ask the expert: Forcing staff to attend training
Does an employee have the right to not attend a compulsory five-day training course due to home and family commitments? Esther Smith and Matthew Whelan advise. The question:Can HR force a staff member to attend a five-day training course? I have a staff member who advised at interview stage they could not go away on […]
How different roles give feedback in 360 degree appraisals
I hadn’t thought about this for a few years – I once wrote my MBA thesis on an analysis of narrative feedback in 360 degree appraisal. I was giving some feedback last week and I was struck by the use of different language by the different roles – supervisor, peer, self and direct reports.So, I […]