Blog: why meaningful work is as important as compensation
Meaningful work matters as much as pay when it comes to employee engagement and retention. Research shows that employees, especially millennials, are motivated by job fulfillment and organizational purpose rather than compensation alone, making it critical to help staff understand the value and impact of their work.
Q&A: another view on holidays and TUPE
When staff transfer under TUPE, they retain all existing employment terms, including holiday entitlements from their previous employer. An employee cannot claim additional leave beyond what they were entitled to before the transfer, though they maintain protection of their original holiday allowance if it exceeds your standard policy.
News: Happy people, happy workforce, happy times.
A 2011 government survey shows employees were more satisfied and committed to their jobs than in 2004, with improved communication, greater autonomy, and increased training opportunities cited as key factors in workplace happiness.
Blog: What Celebrity Bake Off demonstrates about disability
Celebrity Bake Off highlighted how disabled individuals excel when given equal opportunities, featuring competitors Warwick Davis and Ellie Simmonds who produced outstanding bakes with only minor reasonable adjustments. The show underscores why employers should focus on disabled people’s abilities rather than limitations, as workplace discrimination remains a significant barrier despite legislation.
HRZone interview – Linda Holbeche, director The Holbeche Partnership
Linda Holbeche, director of The Holbeche Partnership, collaborated with Merck KGaA’s HR vice president on “Engaged,” a shortlisted CMI management book exploring how line managers unlock employee engagement. The book emphasizes that effective managers engage staff on three levels—intelligence, society, and emotion—creating fulfilling work environments that drive organizational potential.
Final pensions RIP for the private sector?
Private sector final salary pensions closed to new staff at a record rate in 2012, with only 13% remaining open to new joiners, down from 19% the previous year. A NAPF survey reveals employers increasingly shutting schemes to existing staff too, while shifting workers toward defined contribution pensions instead.
Technology: the shocking truth about HCM Cloud chief Lars Dalgaard
Lars Dalgaard, SAP’s Cloud chief and former SuccessFactors CEO, reveals how the acquisition has accelerated Cloud adoption among long-standing SAP customers. The global reach of the SAP brand has enabled multimillion-dollar Cloud deals that previously seemed impossible, with major clients like PepsiCo now adopting Cloud HCM solutions alongside their existing on-premise systems.
Ask the Expert: Can staff claim extra holiday under a TUPE transfer?
Under TUPE, transferred staff are only entitled to accrued annual leave, not additional days simply because they’ve moved to a new employer. Pre-booked holiday should be honored, but extra leave claims require proof of accrual in that holiday year.
News: ACAS benefits as workplace disputes boom
A new survey shows workplace disputes are increasing, with 29% more businesses seeking advice from Acas since 2004. Website traffic and helpline calls have also surged, though few employers use mediation services to prevent conflicts from escalating.
News: Unilever volunteers staff for volunteering
Unilever is giving UK and Irish employees paid time off to volunteer, matching their holiday allowance and providing an extra day’s pay. The scheme aims to boost community engagement and staff wellbeing across its 7,000-person workforce.
Unemployment falls again
Unemployment fell to an 18-month low while employment reached a record high of 71% between September and November 2012, according to the Office of National Statistics. The UK added 90,000 jobs and 10,000 new vacancies despite economic uncertainty.
HR Summit highlights talent war
The 11th HR Directors Business Summit in Birmingham highlighted talent optimization as a key theme, with HR professionals discussing strategies for attracting global talent, fostering innovation, and leveraging technology. The event concluded with the HR Distinction Awards, recognizing outstanding HR practices across leading organizations.
The changing market for HCM applications
The HCM applications market is experiencing rapid transformation as cloud-based SaaS solutions gain adoption among medium-to-large organizations. IDC projects the market will grow at 8.1% annually through 2016, driven by organizations seeking to replace aging legacy HR systems. Major vendors like Workday, SuccessFactors, and ADP are competing for market share as cloud delivery becomes the preferred model for HR procurement.
News: Bad careers advice is harming next generation of workers
Over half of UK employers say young people receive inadequate careers advice, leaving them unprepared for the job market and lacking understanding of different sectors. The CIPD warns this mismatch could create future skills shortages and calls for better education-business links and workplace knowledge integrated into schools.
News: Let’s sack the boss!
A global Monster poll reveals that over 75% of workers would replace their boss if given the chance, with 30% confident they could do the job better themselves. Only a quarter of respondents would vote to keep their current manager.
Job confidence tumbles?
UK job confidence dropped 5% in early 2013, with only 73% of workers feeling secure in their positions. Concerns about redundancy and living standards rose significantly, though most workers lacked insurance protection against job loss.
Business meet HR, HR meet the Business – you’ve got a lot in common!
HR professionals struggle to demonstrate strategic value to business leaders, with nearly one-fifth of executives unaware of HR’s contribution to company strategy, according to a CIPD report. The research reveals HR is perceived as implementing rather than creating strategy, and HR leaders must use data-driven evidence and develop stronger business acumen to influence organizational decisions.
News: Capping unfair dismissal payments is “soundbite politics”
The Government’s plan to cap unfair dismissal awards at one year’s salary has drawn criticism as “soundbite politics,” with legal experts noting that fewer than 5% of claimants currently receive such amounts. While business groups welcome the changes for reducing tribunal uncertainty, employment lawyers warn the practical impact on employers will be minimal and settlement agreements may not adequately protect against discrimination claims.
News: Management on the move in 2013
Nearly a third of UK senior managers planned to change jobs in 2013, driven by higher pay and new challenges, but only 37% felt confident securing a new role. The research revealed most business decision-makers overlooked social media for career promotion, relying instead on traditional channels like job websites and headhunters.
Blog: Jodie Foster and Behavioural Intelligence
Jodie Foster’s Golden Globes acceptance speech demonstrates how vulnerability and honest rhetoric create powerful, memorable speaking moments. By analyzing her coming-out declaration, we explore how behavioral intelligence principles—such as time-shifting between past and present and strategic vulnerability—help leaders across all fields deliver electrifying, emotionally resonant addresses.
