Using crowdsourcing to identify and develop top performers

Crowdsourcing has been a hot topic as it relates to managing and developing the workforce, from its impact on employee engagement to recruiting and hiring. Rather than throwing caution to the wind and trying out new sourcing techniques, however, it’s important to use a method that is closely tied to business objectives and that can […]

Seven ways to engage with employees on social media

This article is based on the many conversations I’ve had with the social media and HR professionals that I’ve met over the last 12 months while preparing the 25 case studies featured in my new book, showcasing the best business use of social media in recruitment and beyond. These are the seven most frequently referenced […]

Interview: Patrick Quinlan, CEO of compliance and ethics firm Convercent

1. How is the role of compliance professionals shifting? For years, compliance has centered around addressing the bad in an organization, like fraud, bribery and general employee “rule-breaking,” and addressing it only after the matter. Inevitably, this turned compliance professionals into the “bad news guys” and tasked them with enforcing regulations that keep employees within their […]

Five tips to implement mobile learning smoothly

As the smartphone continues to cement its position as an indispensable tool in the workplace, learning departments are fast taking note. However, some organisations are guilty of jumping on the mobile bandwagon without giving careful thought to the implementation of their m-learning solutions. Here are some practical guidelines to help L&D leverage and maximise the […]

New research highlights most common CV ‘mistakes’

Common CV mistakes and a lack of attention to detail are holding job hunters back, according to new research. Close to 80% of advisers from the National Careers Service said that the most common mistake (more of a strategy really) was sending generic CVs to employers. A further two-thirds (66%) said this mistake was most […]

20 tips for easing the stress of international employee relocation

When speaking to an employee about an international assignment it’s important to consider how they might feel about the prospect. Their reaction might range from being absolutely thrilled and excited at the challenge, to feeling extremely anxious. The truth is that even for the most dedicated and motivated of employees, the prospect of relocating is […]

Interview: Kristiina Mäkelä, Associate Professor, Aalto University

Kristiina Mäkelä is an associate professor of International Business at Aalto University. She has published on HRM and knowledge-related topics in a number of international journals and was awarded the European Doctoral Programmes Association in Management and Business Administration (EDAMBA) 2008 prize for the best doctoral dissertation in Europe. Kristiina’s latest research focused on evaluations […]

A legal guide to custom and practice for HR

Many practitioners will have heard the phrase ‘custom and practice’ bandied around from time to time during the course of their career. The difficulty however is understanding what is actually meant by the term ‘custom and practice’ and more importantly how to establish one. Hopefully this article will help the reader to understand what is […]

Book Review: The Fulfilling Workplace: Psychological and Behavioural Aspects of Risk

Title: The Fulfilling Workplace: Psychological and Behavioural Aspects of RiskAuthors: Edited by Cary Cooper and Ronald BurkeISBN: 978-1409427766 This book review was written by David Evans of Burn Bridge Associates. The sub-title to this weighty tome is “The organisation’s role in achieving individual and organisational health” and the editors – Burke and Cooper – have enlisted a serious […]

Internal silos are everywhere – and they come at a high price

Calling the accounts team a bunch of bean counters or referring to marketing as guardians of the coloured pens may be harmless japes that bounce around many an office. But if HR digs deeper they may well find that serious departmental brick walls, or silos, exist in the organisation that can hinder its progress in […]

Employment law and the Cloud – all you need to know

Increasingly HR managers are using Cloud-based HR systems as a cost-effective and efficient way to manage staff and data across the world.  But what employment law considerations should HR managers be aware of when thinking about and operating such a system? To understand this, it is helpful to know why Cloud-based systems differ from more […]

CPS spent £1.1m on two golden goodbyes

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) awarded severance pay of £1.1m to two ex-employees, it was revealed recently. This disclosure, made by investigative website Exaro, will add fuel to the fire of large taxpayer-funded packages being given to departing executives. Earlier this month the BBC's HR Director, Lucy Adams, was criticised for her role in paying […]

How should HRDs protect their position in light of the BBC HR scandal?

The role of the HR Director has been forced into the spot light of accountability with the HR Director for the BBC being called to give evidence in front of the committee of MP’s investigating the scandal of over-generous exit packages.  During this process the HR Director in question has been publically named – and […]

Multitasking. What’s the productivity cost?

Technology has definitely made life easier, for example I can remember getting stuck on the train and being unable to let anyone know. Yes this was the days before mobile phones. There was one person with a phone in the whole carriage, probably the whole train. It was carried around like a brief case and […]

Off-the-record discussions – useful or useless?

The Government recently introduced section 111A of the Employment Rights Act in order to help companies deal with problem employees by ‘protecting’ some conversations from being used in litigation – effectively allowing the two parties to reach a compromise without it coming back to bite them. Are these ‘off-the-record’ discussions a useful tool for employers? […]

UK staff want bosses that can ‘make employees feel comfortable’

Over three-quarters (78%) of UK staff responding to a recent survey said they want bosses that are able to make employees feel comfortable. This trait ranked as most desirable, above admitting when they’ve made mistakes (71%), calm under pressure (69%), giving clear instructions and defined targets (67%) and acknowledging work efforts (66%). The survey also […]

Book review: Behind Closed Doors: Stories from the Coaching Room

Title: Behind Closed Doors: Stories from the Coaching RoomAuthors: Erik de Haan, Ann Baldwin, Nicola Carew, Stephanie ConwayISBN: 978-1907471773 This book review was written by Nicola Barber, HR Manager Kilwaughter Chemical Company Limited and Regional Ambassador, Engage for Success. I approached this book with a certain degree of weariness; the cover looked like a standard text book. However, […]

The strategic path to supporting staff on their return to work

Employees can often find returning work following long-term sickness absence a difficult and overwhelming experience, with relapses a regular occurrence. Carefully planned return-to-work programmes to support staff are crucial if these relapses are to be avoided. 1/ In order to appropriately support employees, line managers may require training and guidance from Human Resources and Occupational […]

We must move away from parent/child management styles

Some people believe that management and parenting are very closely intertwined. In fact, managers that show compassion, encourage the development of their staff and make an effort to understand the challenges they face might be considered the most popular. Employees often feel they particularly benefit from this typically nurturing approach. Whilst there is always a […]

Using technology to cultivate a culture of learning and development

Why go with self-service? Technology has been one of the great enablers in this era of employee empowerment. Self-service HR systems allow employees to carry out a range of functions that previously they would have been reliant on the HR and payroll departments or their manager to perform. Holidays can be booked, benefits chosen and […]