News: Fear of causing offence damaging inclusion efforts, warns research
Research reveals that excessive concern about saying the wrong thing actually harms workplace inclusion efforts. Fear of causing offence discourages open conversations about differences and damages working relationships, while managers often unconsciously favor colleagues similar to themselves. Understanding common ground can help counteract these biases.
Blog: HR, it’s time to show bullies the exit
Workplace bullying, from screaming to exclusion, creates hostile environments that tank employee engagement. HR leaders must take action to stop these behaviors before they damage company culture and create legal liability.
In a Nutshell: Five considerations when taking on an apprentice
Taking on an apprentice requires clear expectations, a well-defined role, and the right training partner. Jason Holt, who pioneered apprenticeships in the jewellery industry, outlines five key considerations for employers to maximize success: manage expectations from the start, define daily tasks, select a supportive training provider, provide proper induction and mentorship, and plan for the apprentice’s long-term development within your business.
Legal Insight: Employment tribunal proposals – Beware the silent killers
The government proposes to streamline employment tribunals and simplify dismissal procedures, though evidence suggests these changes may be unnecessary. With UK employment already lightly regulated, tribunal claims falling 15% recently, and employers winning only 37% of cases, critics argue the reforms risk dismantling long-standing protections under the guise of economic necessity.
News: Viral resignation email proves ‘money isn’t enough for disgruntled staff’
A senior account manager’s viral resignation email shows that pay raises alone cannot retain disgruntled employees facing poor management and workplace mistreatment. The public exit, while gaining social media attention, may damage the employee’s future job prospects, according to recruitment experts.
News: ‘Forget offshoring. Onshore work to prison inmates instead’
A rehabilitation expert’s report recommends that employers onshore work to prison inmates instead of offshoring jobs overseas. The “Made in Prison” report calls for government support and suggests giving prison governors greater autonomy and profit-sharing incentives to establish commercial partnerships with businesses.
Blog: Ten top tips to appear more confident
Learn 10 practical strategies to build and project confidence, from improving body language and positive thinking to setting clear goals and smiling more. These evidence-based tips help you develop genuine confidence as a learnable skill rather than an inborn trait.
Talent Spot: Simon Linares, group HR director at Telefonica Digital
Simon Linares, group HR director at Telefónica Digital, is building a startup-like organizational culture distinct from its parent company Telefónica. Drawing on 12 years in sales and extensive HR experience across global companies like Diageo, Linares applies his commercial expertise and coaching skills to help the digital venture compete swiftly in the marketplace.
Blog: HenryTalk – Any answers for all your questions Part 1
HRZone’s Any Answers forum highlights recent discussions on workplace concerns, including managing role transitions, establishing health and safety policies, and recruiting for mindset qualities over specific skills. The community platform invites HR professionals to share questions, experiences, and solutions with peers.
Talking Point: Does HR have a role in CSR programmes?
HR plays a crucial role in corporate social responsibility by ensuring employees buy into CSR initiatives and helping align programs with core business strategy. HR manages recruitment, training, diversity policies, workplace ethics, and employee engagement—all essential for implementing authentic CSR that creates positive business and social impact.
News: Former TA chief: UK employers’ discrimination in hiring “despicable”
Former Territorial Army chief the Duke of Westminster has condemned UK employers for discriminating against reservists during hiring, calling it “despicable.” He’s called for tighter legislation to prevent discriminatory interview questions and proposed tax incentives to encourage companies to employ TA members.
News: Staff at Dept for Culture, Media and Sport face post-Olympics cull
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is cutting its workforce by around 80 staff (20% reduction) and relocating to cheaper offices to close a £2.2 million funding gap. The department plans to use voluntary redundancies first, followed by compulsory cuts if necessary, despite staff successfully delivering the Olympics and Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
Blog: Becoming a Time Lord – Progressing your career without benefit of hindsight
Discover four practical strategies to identify career gaps and progress without hindsight: visualize your future self, learn from successful peers, create a concrete plan with timelines, and take immediate action toward your goals.
In a Nutshell: Four ways to ensure that staff have a healthy work-life balance
Employers can support healthy work-life balance by increasing employee awareness of benefits, offering flexible working options, fostering team engagement through fun activities, and investing in staff training and career development. These strategies boost satisfaction, morale, and overall business performance.
The first HCM reporting benchmark: BITC’s Workwell model
Business in the Community’s Workwell benchmark, launched today after five years of research, provides the first HCM reporting standard for FTSE 100 companies. The evidence-based model establishes guidelines for measuring how employers manage employee wellness, engagement, skills, and resilience across four key pillars, addressing investor demand for rigorous human capital management transparency.
Is the HR recruitment market starting to recover?
The HR recruitment market is showing steady recovery with increased vacancies across most sectors, though challenges remain at senior levels and in securing top-tier talent due to high candidate expectations and companies seeking more strategic, business-focused HR professionals.
Blog: Andrew Mitchell’s hissy fit – Why swearing at work is never a good idea
Profanity and hostile behavior in the workplace can damage professional reputation and organizational performance. Andrew Mitchell’s incident with police officers demonstrates why swearing at work is inappropriate, potentially constitutes bullying, and may expose employers to legal liability.
News: 22,500 new HR jobs created over last year
The UK’s HR sector gained 22,500 new jobs over the past year as business confidence recovered, with employment rising 20%. However, the sector remains below 2006 peaks, though vacancies for senior interim staff surged 45% during the first nine months of 2012.
News: Lean process focus leads to drop in assessment centre quality
A global survey of 543 HR professionals reveals that cost-cutting measures are compromising assessment centre quality, with 17% of centres completing evaluations in half a day or less despite assessing multiple competencies. Insufficient assessor training and excessive time pressure are raising concerns about the effectiveness of these streamlined processes.
Blog: National Work-Life Week: Getting women on the board
Work-life balance is a critical barrier preventing women from reaching British boardrooms. HR professionals must challenge outdated working practices that force women to choose between career advancement and family responsibilities, as research shows flexible work arrangements improve employee engagement and retention.
