Legal Insight: How to deal with long-term sick leave
UK employers face significant challenges managing long-term sick leave, as employees can accumulate holiday entitlement while absent and carry over reasonable amounts to the next year. Employers must balance legal obligations to support stressed or depressed employees with financial pressures, while addressing trust issues around leave usage during illness.
News: HR needs to break out of its comfort zone, warns report
HR professionals must break out of their comfort zone and become true business partners to address global talent shortages and workforce changes, according to a new report. The study warns that HR departments are failing to keep pace with shifts in markets and technology, despite progress in diversity and flexibility initiatives.
News: Met’s tattoo ban could be “indirectly discriminatory”, warns lawyer
The Metropolitan Police’s ban on visible tattoos could be indirectly discriminatory in certain circumstances, according to a lawyer, particularly if tattoos represent religious beliefs. The policy, which requires officers and staff to cover visible body art or register face, neck, and hand tattoos, has drawn criticism from the Police Federation over concerns it may unfairly affect former soldiers.
Blog: How to stop a lacklustre induction process creating an induction crisis
Poor induction processes cause 40% of senior-level new starters to consider leaving within three months. Effective onboarding should balance practical requirements with cultural integration, mentorship, and genuine engagement rather than overwhelming employees with paperwork and information overload on day one.
Blog: Remember your manners – The benefits of just saying ‘thank you’
Saying “thank you” is one of the most powerful tools in a leader’s toolkit, yet many managers overlook this simple courtesy. Expressing gratitude communicates that people are valued and appreciated, making it essential for building strong business relationships and creating respectful workplace cultures.
Talent Spot: Ella Bennett, HR director for Fujitsu UK and Ireland
Ella Bennett became HR director for Fujitsu UK and Ireland in 2009, bringing experience from roles at charities Family Service Units and Mind. She has reorganized the HR function, established new leadership, and implemented social media for better staff communication.
How to reframe your performance review
Learn how to shift your performance review focus from fixing weaknesses to developing your natural strengths. This approach creates more positive, motivating conversations that help you grow your career by polishing your best talents rather than dwelling on shortcomings.
News: 1 in 5 Londoners get poverty wages as MPs go for 4 times average
One in five Londoners earn poverty wages while MPs are proposed a 40% pay raise to reach four times the national average salary, according to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority’s latest recommendations.
News: Childcare costs biggest employment barrier for single parents
Childcare costs are the biggest barrier to employment for single parents, according to new research by Gingerbread. The charity found that 16% of single parents with children over 12 face long-term unemployment, and many struggle to maintain work due to insufficient flexible jobs and low wages.
Blog: Eight tips for handling a ‘difficult conversation’
Learn eight practical tips for managing difficult workplace conversations, from thorough preparation and ensuring privacy to active listening and setting clear expectations for improvement. Managing these discussions confidently helps prevent minor issues from escalating into major problems.
Blog: The World of HR – Today’s frustrations, tomorrow’s dreams Part 2
HR departments will become leaner and more technology-driven, with administrative tasks automated through portals while HR shifts toward strategic business consulting and integration roles rather than traditional service delivery.
Talking Point: Isn’t there a better way to make redundancies?
The current UK redundancy model prioritizes legal compliance over genuine communication, harming organizations, employees, and workplace culture. A compliance-only approach damages company reputation, recruitment ability, and staff morale through emotional contagion, suggesting a better approach is needed.
CEO Insight: Employer Pool’s Chris Murray on ethical recruitment
Chris Murray of Employer Pool discusses how ethical recruitment can integrate corporate social responsibility into daily HR operations, helping organizations meet social value requirements while improving candidate experience and supporting long-term unemployed workers.
News: HR is “ineffective” and “non-essential”, say senior execs
A survey of 418 senior executives reveals widespread dissatisfaction with HR departments, with only 17% believing HR performs effectively. Executives criticize HR’s inability to support global talent acquisition, manage flexible workforces, and provide meaningful data analytics for business forecasting.
Analysis: Workday in a post-IPO world – The story so far
Workday’s stock soared 72% in its 2012 IPO, establishing the cloud-based HR software provider as a major player challenging SAP and Oracle. The company prioritizes human capital management but plans to expand financial applications to large enterprises, with payroll already available in the US and Canada.
Blog: Would you hire someone with a drug or alcohol dependency?
Employment is critical to sustained recovery from drug and alcohol dependency, yet most employers perceive hiring people with this history as high risk. Only one-third of surveyed employers would consider hiring qualified candidates with past substance misuse, highlighting significant workplace barriers.
Blog: Does Boris demonstrate the five fundamentals of leadership? Part 1
Boris Johnson’s popularity has soared as a potential future Prime Minister, but does he demonstrate the fundamental qualities effective leaders need? This analysis examines whether Johnson’s unique political style, eccentric personality, and ability to build a following align with core leadership principles required for top-level office.
What to do when there’s board trouble
When board members distance themselves from day-to-day operations, they risk missing critical problems and negative feedback. HR directors can help senior executives stay connected to the business, seek regular feedback, and address difficult issues before they escalate into public crises.
News: Barclays’ staff bonuses to be linked to customer satisfaction
Barclays is shifting employee bonuses away from sales targets to customer satisfaction metrics. The bank’s 22,000 retail staff will now earn commission based on customer service quality and recommendation likelihood, starting December 1st.
News: UK’s most satisfying HR software revealed at Harrods
TeamSeer won the UK’s most satisfying HR software award at Harrods, beating global giants in a competition judged by over 10,000 business software users. Other winners included WhosOff.com for SME staff leave management and Personal Audit Systems’ P11DOrganiser for payroll.
