Elephants and crocodiles: the real challenge of corporate teamwork
Effective corporate teamwork often fails because companies promote strong individual performers who struggle to collaborate as equals. Using neuroscience insights, this article explains how people relying heavily on instinctive decision-making resist the compromise required for true peer-level teamwork.
How do we get senior leaders engaged with development training?
Senior leaders often resist development training, believing they don’t need it, but their non-participation undermines organizational change efforts and sends conflicting messages to the rest of the workforce. Effective organizational transformation requires engagement from everyone, including leadership, to establish shared language and demonstrate commitment to growth.
News: senior leaders must engage with social media to foster open culture
Senior leaders’ lack of engagement with social media is preventing organizations from building open, collaborative cultures. Research from the CIPD reveals that social media enables better employee voice and organizational insight, but resistance to change among leaders remains the biggest barrier to adoption.
News: Firms predict pay increases of 2.5 percent
Private sector employers plan median pay increases of 2.5 percent over the next year, according to XpertHR survey research. While 76.4 percent of firms will give raises, basic pay increases are expected to average just two percent, falling behind inflation.
Pros and cons of leasing office furniture
Leasing office furniture can spread costs over multiple years and preserve credit lines, but typically costs more long-term due to interest payments and long-term contract obligations. Consider your business’s relocation frequency, technology needs, and cash flow priorities before deciding between leasing and buying.
News: House of Lords blocks ‘shares for rights’ scheme
The House of Lords has rejected a government scheme that would have allowed employees to trade employment rights like redundancy protection and flexible working requests for company shares worth £2,000-£5,000. Peers from across all parties criticized the proposal, blocking it with a majority of 54 votes.
Workplace conflict – challenge or opportunity?
Workplace conflict can damage team morale, productivity and retention, but it doesn’t have to be accepted as inevitable. Using a structured approach—including informal conversations, securing agreement to resolve issues, identifying triggers, and focusing on behavior rather than personal blame—managers can transform conflicts into opportunities for professional growth.
News: inaccurate mileage claims could open firms to HMRC fines
Nearly half of UK business drivers admit to submitting inflated mileage claims, exposing their employers to HMRC fines and legal penalties. Companies must maintain accurate records for tax compliance, yet outdated claim methods and administrative burden contribute to widespread over-reporting of expenses.
Talent spot: Paul Ethell, HR Director for BAE Systems’ Combat Aircraft business unit
Paul Ethell, HR Director for BAE Systems’ Combat Aircraft business unit, began his career in sales before pursuing HR roles. His flexible approach to early career moves and diverse experiences—including employee communications and leading the company’s Saudi Arabian operations—shaped his leadership philosophy in human resources.
Smart office furniture decisions to improve employee wellbeing
Investing in ergonomic office furniture significantly impacts employee wellbeing and productivity. Comfortable, adjustable chairs prevent physical injuries and boost morale, while poor furniture choices can lead to back problems and reduced motivation. Selecting quality furniture with health endorsements creates a more efficient, engaged workforce.
Retirement courses – value for money or flirting with age discrimination?
Good retirement courses help employers support employees in planning their financial futures, but poorly designed seminars risk appearing age-discriminatory. Offering quality education can help employees make informed retirement decisions while keeping productivity high and maintaining workplace dignity.
News: European clock-watchers ‘here to stay’
European workers are staying in their jobs but showing declining engagement, with fewer than one in five demonstrating high discretionary effort. A CEB survey of 18,000 workers found 37.8% of European employees intend to remain in current roles, yet many prioritize work-life balance over productivity, “quitting in seat” rather than seeking new opportunities.
Budget 2013 – what it means for HR
The 2013 Budget introduces several measures affecting HR departments, including raised income tax allowances, pension changes, enhanced employee benefits like tax-free loans and childcare vouchers, and a new employment allowance reducing National Insurance costs. HR functions must prepare for payroll impacts and evaluate how these policies affect employee engagement, retention, and corporate social responsibility initiatives.
News: skills gap dragging down leading economic powers
A global skills gap is reducing productivity and revenue in major economies including the US, China, and Russia, with employers unable to fill high-skill positions. CareerBuilder research found extended job vacancies hinder business growth, particularly in technology and healthcare sectors, requiring collaboration between government, education, and private sector.
‘The Cloud’ leaves HR & learning’s traditional relationship up in the air
Cloud computing is transforming workplace learning from a knowledge-ownership model to on-demand service delivery, fundamentally reshaping HR’s traditional role. As organizations adopt cloud-based learning systems, HR departments must evolve from knowledge brokers to guides, helping employees access skills and information at point-of-need to remain relevant.
Facilitating the cultural shift to remote working
Successfully implementing remote working requires building organizational trust, updating HR policies to treat office and remote workers fairly, and shifting manager mindsets away from presenteeism toward performance-based evaluation.
That sinking feeling – handling difficult conversations
HR professionals can manage difficult employees by understanding root causes of problematic behavior and applying patience, persistence, and clear organizational standards. Establishing measurable conduct expectations and addressing issues promptly helps reshape unhelpful patterns while maintaining fairness.
News: sickness a major issue affecting service delivery
Employee sickness is the leading factor undermining service delivery, according to new UK research surveying 200 business managers. The study found sickness affecting 39 percent of organizations, followed by traffic congestion and staff unavailability, with retail, distribution, and transport sectors most impacted.
News: Work is biggest cause of stress in people’s lives
A new study by mental health charity Mind reveals that work is the biggest cause of stress in people’s lives, with one in three citing workplace stress as very or quite stressful. Poor management, excessive workload, and insufficient support are the top workplace stressors, yet most managers lack training to support employee mental health.
Interview: Jenny Westworth, 2013 Apprentice Champion of the Year
Jenny Westworth, BAE Systems apprentice and 2013 Apprentice Champion of the Year, shares insights on her 3.5-year apprenticeship journey and offers HR guidance on attracting, supporting, and retaining apprentices in the workplace through mentorship and clear career pathways.
