The changing nature of the workforce: Are jobs obsolete?
How we define ourselves by our jobs is shifting as flexible working, job insecurity, and mobile technology blur the lines between professional and personal life. The workforce landscape is changing, raising questions about whether traditional employment remains central to identity and social stability.
News: Employment market to remain tough until end of decade
Unemployment is unlikely to peak until 2014, with the jobs market expected to remain tough through the end of the decade, according to analysis by the Institute for Public Policy Research. The report warns that an additional 200,000 workers could be jobless within a year, with youth unemployment and long-term joblessness expected to rise significantly.
News: 1/3 of workers sleep with colleagues at the Xmas party
A survey of UK workers reveals that nearly a third have had sexual encounters at Christmas parties, yet 75% would prefer to skip the event entirely this year. Employees cite financial contributions, lack of employer funding, and preference for family time as reasons for avoiding workplace celebrations.
Blog: How to avoid a Christmas bust-up
Avoid Christmas conflicts by resolving workplace tensions before the holidays. Learn how to embrace disagreements constructively and use communication techniques like the Communication Square exercise to foster understanding with colleagues and family members.
Blog: The rising challenge of presenteeism
A Chartered Management Institute survey reveals rising presenteeism in UK workplaces, with 43% of managers reporting employees working while ill—up 11% since 2007. Extended work hours, organizational changes, and job security fears drive this concerning trend that reduces productivity and employee wellbeing.
Conflict resolution: Learning from the lessons of the Anglican Church
The Anglican Church’s division over women bishops illustrates how organizations must address conflicts strategically. Rather than seeking quick fixes, sustainable resolution requires helping opposing parties recognize common ground and fostering mutual understanding between all sides.
That was the HR year that was
2012 was marked by austerity measures that squeezed middle-income families as wages failed to keep pace with inflation. Despite economic hardship, employers focused on cost-cutting while maintaining key personnel, though rising employee disengagement emerged as a critical HR challenge requiring improved manager-colleague relations and communication.
Ask the Expert: Can an employee claim for relocation 5 years on?
An employee who failed to claim a reorganisation allowance within the three-year entitlement period after relocation in 2007 is now requesting retrospective payment. Whether this late claim can be paid depends on your specific policy wording, contract terms, how the policy operates in practice, and whether similar situations have been handled consistently.
News: Employers ‘routinely discriminate against women from ethnic minorities’
A report by the Runnymede Trust reveals that employers routinely discriminate against women from ethnic minorities, with Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and Black women facing unemployment rates double or triple those of white women. MPs and peers are urging the government to address systemic discrimination found throughout recruitment processes.
News: PPMA unveils competition to attract HR talent to public sector
The Public Sector People Managers’ Association has launched Rising 2013, an Apprentice-style competition designed to attract early-career HR talent to the public sector. The initiative addresses recruitment challenges by identifying and nurturing emerging HR professionals through research projects, presentations, and leadership assessments, with the winner earning a PPMA Board seat.
Blog: New Year’s resolution #1: Become a charity trustee
Becoming a charity trustee offers employees valuable professional development and helps organizations find board members. A survey found people want trusteeships to give back and gain skills, but charities must better promote vacancies and ensure candidates understand the legal responsibilities involved.
Book Review: Theodore Roosevelt, CEO
Axel Axelrod’s “Theodore Roosevelt, CEO” extracts leadership lessons from the 26th president’s life through anecdotes and business applications. While the history-to-business format works for interested readers, some lessons feel oversimplified and overly didactic, lacking nuance about modern workplace applicability.
Seasonal workers – How to ensure many happy returns
Many organisations boost seasonal staff by 30% during the festive period to handle increased demand, especially in retail and online fulfillment. Effective management requires early planning, accurate forecasting, proper vetting, and compliance with employment legislation to ensure smooth operations and customer satisfaction.
2012 – The year in full
Cath Everett reviews 2012’s major HR events, including challenges in employment law, public sector pension strikes, immigration changes, and debates over employee ownership and workplace practices that shaped the year for Britain’s HR community.
Varied work styles lead to personality clash between HR and line managers
A study of 5,000 financial services employees reveals HR professionals and line managers clash due to opposing work styles: HR practitioners favor collaboration and flexibility, while managers prioritize achievement, data, and structure. The research suggests HR professionals can bridge this gap by developing stronger technical and interpersonal skills.
Analysis: “We don’t plan on screwing up”, says Workday CEO
Following its IPO, Workday is expanding beyond human capital management with new recruiting tools and big data analytics capabilities. The SaaS provider aims to offer analytics platforms at lower costs than traditional data warehouses while capturing customers upgrading legacy systems from competitors.
Blog: Workers to burn out unless something gives soon…
Employee burnout is a growing crisis as workers face prolonged job insecurity and excessive workloads. A Global Workforce Study reveals over one-third of UK employees experience excessive pressure, with more than half working extended hours for three years. HR professionals must help staff manage stress and prevent productivity decline before burnout becomes unavoidable.
In a Nutshell: Five ways for HR to be true partners with the business
HR directors can become true business partners by understanding organizational strategy, treating all people with respect, maintaining integrity, prioritizing customer needs, and delivering practical solutions to business challenges.
Legal Insight: Would you hire a reservist?
UK reserve forces are set to grow to 35,000 by 2020, affecting employers who hire reservists. The government proposes clearer mobilization timelines and employer cooperation frameworks, while legal protections under the Reserve Forces Acts safeguard reservist employment rights and provide compensation during service.
News: Chancellor’s Autumn Budget Statement for HR at-a-glance
Chancellor George Osborne’s Autumn Budget Statement includes major spending cuts for civil service departments, changes to contractor taxation rules, and increases to personal tax allowances. The statement aims to save £3.4 billion through departmental cost reductions while redirecting funds toward infrastructure projects.
