News: ECHR religious discrimination ruling could force more legislation
Although the European Court of Human Rights’ landmark ruling on four UK cases of alleged religious discrimination has brought some legal clarity, new legislation may be still be required to illuminate the situation further. The judgement, which was published in Strasbourg today, found in favour of one of the claimants, but the other three all […]
News: Banks angle for tax-efficient bonuses amid change to police and teachers’ pay
As a row broke out over attempts by bankers to defer bonus payments in order to exploit forthcoming tax cuts, it was announced that the starting salaries of police officers were to be cut by a fifth. According to the Daily Telegraph, the outgoing Bank of England governor, Mervyn King, warned the banks that they […]
Blog: What’s your communication style?
You communicate in your own particular way – we all do. Over the years you’ve developed your own natural communication style. To come across confidently and to look as though you’re in control, it helps if you’re aware of this style. People with good communication skills already know what’s good and what’s bad about their […]
Blog: Seven career questions to ask yourself for 2013
It’s that time in January when we take stock and decide on our resolutions for the year ahead. So I thought it might be useful to offer my advice on what you should be doing to enhance your career in 2013. Make time to think about your career. There is nothing more important than […]
HRD Insight: GL Hearn’s Susan Wright on graduate intern schemes
The role of the business community in helping to develop new talent is becoming an increasingly topical issue. The economic climate has created an environment in which graduates are now struggling to find jobs that only a few years earlier would have been readily available. It is clear that these days experience counts, which […]
Is it worth doing an MBA?
What is an MBA? Normal 0 false false false EN-GB X-NONE X-NONE It’s a question that I have been asked a number of times over the years. Candidates who want to accelerate their careers look at the options available and many decide to look closer at the value of an MBA. The first MBA […]
News: UK’s oil and gas industry to create 85,000 jobs over next 3 years
The UK’s oil and gas industry is forecast to create 50,000 new jobs this year, with another 35,000 likely to be added in the shale gas sector over the next 24 to 36 months. The jobs “boom” will cover roles ranging from engineers and drillers to geologists and support services staff and will take the […]
News: What to do when it snows?
After a wet Christmas and mild New Year, a cold snap is hitting the country once more, with temperatures predicted to reach as low as -10 and snow forecast to fall in most areas of the UK. Inevitably, this situation will result in travel disruption and employees who are unable, or unwilling, to get into […]
Blog: Discretion denied – The implications of change to indefinite leave to remain rules
Before launching into this article, we’d like to wish all our readers a very Happy New Year! We hope that 2013 brings you all success and thank you for following the Newland Chase blog throughout the last year. As ever, we encourage you to get involved and comment below with your own thoughts and experiences […]
Book Review: The art of recruitment – An illustrated guide to the dark art
The Art of Recruitment is a light-hearted look at the world of recruitment, with the target readership being people who are either looking for a new job or wanting to recruit new staff. Each cartoon is accompanied by a range of tips, which cover such areas as asking what benefits a role offers or giving […]
A month-by-month guide to key new legislation for 2013
Here is a list of the key new legislation that we can expect to see over the weeks and months ahead (source – law firm, Bond Pearce): 1 February: Employment tribunal compensation limits will increase under the Employment Rights (Increase of Limits) Order 2012. February: Rounding up of increases to statutory redundancy payments […]
Three ways to make the most of your older workers
Times are changing and, henceforth, employers will need to be smarter. This is because a potentially explosive mixture of issues is starting to bubble under. Older workers now comprise a much bigger cohort than those coming up behind them. The imminent retirement of the Baby Boomer generation has been known about for years as […]
A five-step programme for creating a healthy corporate culture
Each company has a corporate culture that will work either for you or against you – but don’t even think about ignoring it. Corporate cultures comprise a collection of attitudes, policies and values that steer the way in which employees behave. An HR director who believes that a healthy culture is important and takes […]
News: Older workers valued least in the workplace, reveals study
Even though older staff are considered to have a better work ethic and attitude towards working hard than other generations, they are still being subjected to age discrimination when trying to get a job. According to a survey conducted by cognitive neuroscientist and age diversity specialist, Dr Lynda Shaw, respondents believed that people over 60 […]
News: Public sector is still a good place to work, say staff
Despite all of the recent cuts and job losses, the public sector is still a good place to work, new research has revealed. A huge 90% of public sector workers said that they would recommend a career in public service to graduates and school leavers, according to a survey of 2,500 staff conducted by from […]
Employee engagement = good customer service
New research this week from the Institute for Customer Service reinforces what has now become the received wisdom around customer service. In the battle for customers, it is the behaviour of your people on the front line who have the biggest say on whether they come back for more or do business with someone else. […]
Information security: The role of HR
In 2004, Royal Bank of Scotland found itself and its email policy under scrutiny when an employment tribunal found in favour of an ex-employee. The individual concerned had been dismissed after an investigation into several staff members who had been using the company email system to send pornographic images. Around 30 employees were identified […]
Living Leader Learnings: How can I get my team to trust me?
The challenge A general manager at the distribution division of a national manufacturer says: “We have just completed our annual staff survey and it seems that the basic message coming from HR is that we need to find ways to increase the levels of engagement in our teams. As a manager, of course I […]
Ask the Expert: How does the DRA’s removal hit employment contracts?
The question I’m aware of the Default Retirement Age having been removed under the Employment Equality Regulations 2011, but I would like guidance on how this situation affects contracts of employment. The wording of our contracts is currently as below and, while I suspect it will need to be removed, I’d like to find […]
Analysis: Stringfellows wins unfair dismissal appeal against dancer
Former Stringfellows lap dancer Nadine Quashie lost her claim for unfair dismissal after the Court of Appeal found in the nightclub’s favour last month. For almost two years, the case has been making waves in the tabloid press and in HR, legal and accounting circles because of its implications for other employment status situations, including […]
