Unified HCM: Why it matters
Unified HCM solutions integrate core HR data with talent and workforce information in a single system, enabling better strategic decisions about managers, retention, and staffing costs. This integrated approach provides richer insights than separate talent-only systems for improving business performance.
News: Afternoon naps boost staff health and productivity
Research shows that 30-minute afternoon naps three times weekly reduce coronary heart disease risk by 37%, while 90-minute naps improve learning ability by 10%. Experts recommend companies provide designated rest spaces to support employee health and productivity.
News: EU debate on female board quotas postponed
The EU postponed a debate on proposals requiring 40% female board quotas across European companies due to concerns about their legality. Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding’s plan faces opposition from at least 11 commissioners, who favor voluntary diversity measures over mandatory EU-wide quotas.
Blog: Wasabi – A lesson in effective staff communications
Wasabi successfully rolled out a new pension scheme by implementing an effective staff communication strategy that bridged language barriers and achieved 71% employee enrollment. The sushi retailer’s approach combined group meetings, one-on-one advisors, and translators to ensure consistent messaging across diverse locations while maintaining local relevance.
Blog: What are the benefits of hiring a recovering alcoholic or drug user?
Hiring people recovering from substance misuse can bring significant benefits to employers. Research shows that those in recovery often demonstrate loyalty, dependability, and commitment, while public opinion supports their integration into the workforce through employment and skills training programs.
HRD Insight: Allianz’s Philip Gennoy on aligning HR and business goals
Allianz Insurance’s HR director Philip Gennoy explains how to align HR strategy with business goals by balancing tactical day-to-day execution with long-term planning. He emphasizes breaking down master plans into practical steps—such as filling immediate vacancies and developing talent pipelines—to ensure HR directly supports corporate objectives.
How to ensure social media doesn’t stop you from being hired
Hiring managers increasingly search social media during recruitment, so keep personal and professional accounts separate and monitor your online presence. Complete professional profiles, avoid negative comments, and be selective about connections to ensure your social media doesn’t harm your job prospects.
News: Mobile commerce joint venture outsources HR
Project Oscar, a mobile commerce joint venture between Everything Everywhere, O2 and Vodafone, has outsourced HR functions to plusHR to quickly establish cost-effective operations. The London-based company, which enables smartphone shopping in stores, plans to grow from 40 to 150 employees within its first year.
News: BBC HR whistleblower “bullied and harassed” into resigning
A BBC HR head claims he was bullied and harassed into resigning after refusing to change his evidence about his boss’s alleged sexual discrimination against a female employee. Byron Myers is now pursuing an unfair dismissal case and asking MPs to investigate whether the BBC’s whistleblowing procedures are adequate.
Book Review: HR Strategy – Creating business strategy with human capital
Paul Kearns’ ‘HR Strategy’ argues that organizations must align business and HR strategies to unlock competitive advantage. The book challenges HR departments to move beyond transactional work toward strategic integration of people, processes, and workflows, using case studies and human capital metrics to demonstrate measurable organizational value.
Blog: Does Boris demonstrate the five fundamentals of leadership? Part 2
This analysis examines whether Boris Johnson demonstrates key leadership fundamentals, focusing on his ability to build support among peers and articulate a compelling vision for change. Using his Conservative Party conference speech as a case study, it explores how successful leaders enlist allies and communicate what will be different moving forward.
What political leaders can teach us about presenting
Political leaders demonstrate key presentation skills that senior executives can learn from, including authenticity, confidence, and audience engagement. This analysis examines how Nick Clegg, Ed Miliband, and David Cameron delivered their party conference addresses and what their techniques reveal about effective leadership communication.
Ask the Expert: Are we legally obliged to have a health and safety policy?
Employers with five or more staff must have a written health and safety policy in place. If your employer lacks this policy and ignores requests for workplace assessments, you can file a grievance or report the breach to the Health and Safety Executive.
Blog: Body language – Actions speak louder than words
Body language communicates powerful messages about confidence, personality, and background without speaking a word. Our posture, appearance, and gestures create first impressions in seconds and reveal much about our experiences and self-perception through subtle physical cues.
Blog: Five steps to ensure your recruitment process is a positive experience
A poor recruitment experience can damage your company’s reputation and cause qualified candidates to reject job offers or withdraw applications. Treat candidates with respect throughout the hiring process to ensure positive engagement and protect your employer brand.
Case Study: Novo Nordisk revamps to enable proactive recruitment
Novo Nordisk revamped its recruitment process to shift from reactive to proactive hiring, using SAP SuccessFactor software to build candidate pipelines and fill hard-to-fill positions faster. The company targets both active job seekers and passive candidates through job boards and professional association sites, reducing reliance on third-party agencies.
How to recognise workplace bullying
Workplace bullying manifests through both overt actions like public criticism and covert tactics such as gossip, exclusion, or unreasonable demands. Recognizing these behaviors—including deliberate non-action and micromanagement—is crucial, as bullying can lead to resignations, health issues, and legal claims if left unchecked.
News: Decision to retire ageing chairman could open FA to legal challenge
The Football Association’s decision to enforce a mandatory retirement age for chairman David Bernstein at 70 could expose the organization to legal challenge, as UK employment law now requires employers to justify such age restrictions, a lawyer warns.
News: Apprenticeship scheme for spooks unveiled
UK spy agencies MI5, MI6, and GCHQ are launching an apprenticeship scheme offering 100 school-leavers two-year placements to become code-breakers and cryptanalysts. The initiative aims to recruit tech-savvy young talent to combat cyber-crime and protect government networks from espionage.
In a Nutshell: Five ways to make the right impression when hiring talent
Learn five essential strategies for attracting top talent: make a strong impression with seamless processes, clarify role requirements, research candidates thoroughly, assess team fit, and provide constructive feedback to unsuccessful applicants.
