News: Office romances cost British business millions
A survey reveals that office romances cost British businesses an average of £65,000 annually per company, with workplace relationships damaging productivity and creating legal risks including harassment and discrimination claims. Most employers lack formal policies to discourage such relationships despite acknowledging their disruptive impact.
News: Apprenticeships review urges reform
An MPs’ report warns that the Government’s apprenticeship programme needs urgent reform to improve efficiency and focus on quality over quantity. The Business, Innovation and Skills Committee calls for a simpler delivery system with better data to allocate funds effectively and promote higher-level apprenticeships.
Blog: Unsigned employment contracts carry weight, high court rules
An unsigned employment contract can still be legally binding if an employee’s conduct shows they accepted its terms, a high court ruling confirms. In the FW Farnsworth Ltd v Lacy case, an employee who applied for benefits only available under a new unsigned contract was bound by its restrictive covenants, despite never signing it.
Blog: Social networking in the workplace is coming of age
Enterprise social networks are maturing workplace tools that boost productivity and employee satisfaction by applying familiar social networking communication methods to business environments, while maintaining security and compliance controls that address traditional workplace concerns.
HRD Insight: William Hill’s David Russell on an African adventure
William Hill employees traveled to Kenya for a corporate volunteer project at Ol Maisor Primary School, combining personal development with community building work. The 12-person team underwent leadership training before spending time in rural northern Kenya helping with school construction funded by the William Hill Foundation.
A day in the life of a newly-appointed HR director
A newly-appointed HR director at UK Mail outlines her strategic priorities, including pension auto-enrolment implementation, employee engagement, and developing employer branding across the logistics company’s 2,600-strong workforce. Her focus combines operational expertise with people strategy to support the business vision during the first critical 100 days.
News: Living Wage Week – Labour to offer employers financial incentives
Labour is exploring financial incentives to encourage employers to adopt the living wage voluntarily, including subsidies and “naming and shaming” schemes. The party aims to make the living wage a core policy for the next election, with proposals funded by savings from reduced in-work benefits.
Blog: Punk Rock HR – Will NLP decide the US election?
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) uses language techniques to influence thinking and persuasion, tactics allegedly employed by world leaders like Obama, Blair, and Cameron. The article examines how politicians use “loose language” and generalizations to inspire voters while avoiding specific commitments that might divide audiences.
Blog: HenryTalk – Any answers for all your questions Part 2
HenryTalk’s Any Answers forum highlights workplace issues including disability accommodations, statutory sickness pay, retirement age changes, and charitable giving deductions. Active discussions feature expert advice and community insights on employment law and HR best practices.
Age audit tool unwrapped: How ageist is your organisation?
Discover how ageist your organisation might be with an innovative Age Audit Tool developed by Coventry University and Acas. This traffic-light system helps HR professionals assess cultural attitudes towards older workers, identify gaps in age-inclusive practices, and understand why retaining experienced employees is crucial for business performance and economic sustainability.
News: Lift etiquette – What are your colleagues’ eight most annoying habits?
A poll of 400 UK workers reveals the most annoying lift etiquette violations, with standing too close and squeezing into crowded lifts topping the list. Other common frustrations include not holding doors, taking lifts for one or two floors, and blocking exits.
News: ER role shifts in line with changing nature of industrial conflict
Industrial action has significantly declined over four decades, with average annual strike days falling from 12.9 million in the 1970s to one million from the 1990s onward. However, unions have shifted tactics, now using ballot threats, demonstrations, and reputation damage as negotiation tools. This evolution means employee relations professionals increasingly focus on preventing conflict rather than managing it.
Blog: Living Wage Week – Take-home pay is just the start of it……
Living Wage Week highlights the importance of fair pay for meeting basic living costs. Beyond minimum wages, employers can boost employee financial wellbeing and performance through targeted benefits addressing childcare, household expenses, and savings schemes.
Lembit Opik: Three HR lessons from my life in the Commons
Former MP Lembit Opik draws three HR lessons from Parliament, including how silo thinking and competitive departments mirror the adversarial nature of Prime Minister’s Questions, damaging organizational culture and effectiveness.
Book Review: Team turnarounds – A playbook for transforming underperforming teams
Discover the six-stage developmental process for transforming underperforming teams outlined in “Team Turnarounds” by Kouzes, Posner, Fronteira, and Leidl. This practical guide provides leaders with actionable strategies to build cohesive, high-performing teams across various industries, supported by real-world examples and a workbook for implementation.
Ask the Expert: Do staff have to attend grievance appeals if off sick?
Employees on sick leave may still be required to attend grievance appeal hearings, unless a GP confirms they’re medically unfit. Employers should seek medical evidence to verify fitness to attend, and can proceed in the employee’s absence if they refuse without valid medical grounds.
News: Smokers cost employers £1.4bn in absence and lost productivity
Smokers cost employers £1.4 billion annually in sickness absence and lost productivity, taking an average of 2.7 more days off sick than non-smokers and being 33% more likely to miss work, according to research published in the journal Addiction.
News: Low employer awareness hampering Work Programme, warns CIPD
The CIPD warns that low employer awareness is undermining the UK’s Work Programme, with nearly half of employers unaware of the scheme. The report reveals retention problems and skills mismatches, while calling for greater government promotion and increased employer investment in training new hires.
Blog: Could your business survive a Hurricane Sandy?
Discover why business continuity planning is essential for surviving disasters like severe weather and flooding. Half of UK businesses lack effective disaster recovery plans. Learn the five key steps to prepare your business and ensure quick recovery.
In a Nutshell: Five ways to introduce change without alienating staff
Discover five practical strategies for managing organizational change while keeping staff engaged. HR leader Liz Reynolds shares how listening to employees, communicating vision clearly, building trust, thorough planning, and showing generosity can help businesses navigate growth and transformation successfully.
