News: Video recruitment on the increase, say UK HR Directors
UK HR Directors are increasingly using video conferencing for recruitment, with 41% reporting greater reliance on the technology compared to three years ago. Better conferencing tools and the need to recruit out-of-town and international candidates are driving the trend.
News: The business case for flexible working – £34bn worth of savings
Vodafone research reveals the UK could save £34bn through flexible working and reduced desk space, yet 65% of business leaders underestimate potential savings. Companies that could eliminate desks average £260,000 in annual savings, though many remain reluctant to adopt flexible working policies despite productivity benefits.
Book review: Never Mind the Bosses by Robin Ryde
Robin Ryde’s “Never Mind the Bosses” argues that workplace deference hampers organizational success, using the punk movement and modern examples to show how anti-deferential attitudes drive better performance. The book provides the SPEED model for diagnosing deference levels and adapting strategies for generations Y and Z.
HR and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) – it’s all about balance
BYOD policies require careful balance between employee preferences and business security needs. While 77 percent of employers allow personal devices at work, significant gaps exist between employer confidence and employee willingness to report data breaches. Successful BYOD strategies should define clear security baselines and device support standards while capturing productivity benefits.
The future of flexible working in the 21st century
The UK Government is expanding the right to request flexible working to all employees, regardless of reason, expected to become law in 2014. This shift contrasts sharply with high-profile executives like Marissa Mayer, who banned Yahoo employees from remote work, raising questions about workplace culture and productivity expectations.
News: employers who fail to engage will fail the UK
New research from Adecco Group warns that UK employers failing to engage, motivate and retain employees risk damaging economic prosperity. The study highlights how younger workers have higher expectations around promotions, flexible working and career development, requiring employers to adapt their culture and processes to appeal to diverse workforce needs across generations.
News: men and women working later due to rising female pension age
Rising state pension ages are forcing both men and women to work longer. Research from the Institute of Fiscal Studies shows employment rates among 60-year-old women increased 7.3% since the pension age began rising in 2010, with their husbands’ employment also rising by 4.2%, requiring HR to adapt workplace policies for an aging workforce.
The Lowdown on National Apprenticeship Week
National Apprenticeship Week, running March 11-15, celebrates apprenticeships’ positive impact on individuals, businesses, and the economy. The week features hundreds of events nationwide, including CEO job swaps, social media coverage, employer breakfasts, and competitions showcasing apprentice talent and contributions.
Six insights into Performance Management best practice
Discover why over 80% of organizations fail to see value from performance management investments. Learn six essential insights to transform your approach, from aligning performance with business strategy to establishing clear expectations that drive real organizational impact.
News: business perceptions of employment law differ from reality
A government study reveals that businesses often perceive employment law as burdensome due to misunderstanding rather than actual regulatory burden. Companies with formal HR practices were more confident about compliance, while smaller firms without specialist expertise found legislation complex and inaccessible.
Legal commentary: what extension of parental leave means for HR
Recent changes extend parental leave entitlements to 18 weeks for all children and expand flexible working rights to agency workers returning from parental leave. These reforms are part of broader government efforts to create more family-friendly workplaces and encourage shared childcare responsibilities.
What you need to be doing when employees leave the business
When employees leave, HR must manage exit forms, company property returns, and regulatory compliance. Key processes include analyzing leaver data to reduce turnover, implementing ePayslip systems for document access, and maintaining training records through employee self-service portals.
News: CIOs increasingly collaborate in face of changing business environment
Forrester research shows CIOs are collaborating more across business divisions to drive transformation, yet many still lack frequent engagement with customer-facing departments like sales and marketing, limiting their ability to align IT strategy with overall business objectives.
A practical view to the pitfalls of auto-enrolment
Auto-enrolment legislation requires UK employers to automatically enrol employees into a pension scheme, with staging dates based on company size throughout 2013. This article outlines key compliance requirements and provides a practical checklist, including early planning and executive sponsorship, to help employers navigate the implementation process efficiently.
News: study suggests mismatched employer/employee perceptions around sick leave
A new study reveals a significant disconnect between UK employers and employees over sick leave expectations. While 87 percent of employers believe staff shouldn’t work from home when ill, 31 percent of employees think their employers expect them to do so. The research shows employers aren’t experiencing widespread sick leave abuse, with 87 percent reporting no high absenteeism levels.
News: just half of British firms vet suppliers for Bribery Act compliance
Only 48% of British firms vet suppliers for UK Bribery Act compliance, according to Ernst & Young research. The study found widespread complacency across all business sizes, with mid-market firms particularly lacking robust compliance procedures.
Understanding employee healthcare leads to better management
Understanding the root causes of employee health issues—rather than just managing symptoms—is essential for effective workplace health management. Musculoskeletal and mental health disorders account for 80% of ill-health costs and half of all sickness absence, yet employers often overlook lifestyle factors like poor nutrition, lack of exercise, and stress that significantly contribute to these conditions.
News: women non-execs carve very different route to the top
Women non-executive directors are recruited from diverse backgrounds including investment banking, nonprofits, and public sector roles, unlike men who typically come from CEO or CFO positions. A new report shows women NEDs are younger and less likely to have main board experience before joining boards.
Talent Spot: Mark Simmons, HR director at supply & logistics firm Norbert Dentressangle Logistics UK Ltd
Mark Simmons has been HR director at Norbert Dentressangle Logistics UK Ltd since 2007, leading HR strategy at the 10,000-person international supply chain firm. His career spans cosmetics and logistics, shaped by early roles at Procter & Gamble, Revlon, and Christian Salvesen before joining Norbert Dentressangle during a major acquisition and integration.
News: students entering job market lack intercultural skills despite employer demand
Employers worldwide highly value intercultural skills in job candidates, yet most education providers fail to adequately develop these competencies before students enter the workforce, according to new global research from the British Council.
