Blog: Seven reasons why the FA should try John Terry
The FA should pursue its own disciplinary proceedings against John Terry for alleged racist remarks, despite his acquittal in criminal court. The lower legal threshold of “balance of probability” used in sports tribunals, combined with calls from anti-racism campaigners and employment law precedent, makes an FA investigation appropriate to protect football’s integrity.
Living Leader Learnings: How can I stop older colleagues putting me down?
A young manager at a law firm faces age-related put-downs from older colleagues. The Living Leader advises against leaving without action, suggesting direct conversation to clarify whether comments stem from misguided mentorship or intentional dismissal, while noting that repeated invalidation may constitute unlawful behavior.
Blog: How family-friendly is your organisation?
Organizations that support employees through maternity and parenthood see significant returns, including increased retention rates and higher return-to-work numbers. Targeted workshops for expecting parents, returning mothers, and their managers can improve confidence, workplace relationships, and long-term employee loyalty.
Retention matters: How to support adoptive parents
Adoptive parents have statutory rights to up to 52 weeks of leave, but employers often receive just seven days’ notice compared to months for maternity leave. Supporting adoptive parents through coaching and workplace flexibility can improve retention and help them successfully balance parenting with career progression.
News: Olympics troops sleep on chairs, while civilians get luxury cruise liner
Olympic security troops sleep on chairs and camp beds while civilian workers enjoy luxury cruise liners with swimming pools and maid service. The military deployment followed private contractor G4S’s failure to provide sufficient security staff for the Games.
News: Home Office strike threatens to hit Olympics
Immigration officials voted to strike over job cuts and pay, threatening to disrupt border operations during the Olympics. The strike could occur as early as the day before the opening ceremony, when thousands of international visitors and media are expected to arrive at UK airports.
Blog: Four ways to cope with a busy workload
Learn four practical strategies to manage a busy workload without burning out. Set realistic daily goals, establish time limits for tasks, take regular breaks, and move on quickly to maintain focus and productivity throughout your day.
Blog: Three reasons staff lie to get time off work
Employees sometimes lie about needing time off work due to unmet mental health needs, workplace competition for preferred dates, and poor office cultures. Understanding these underlying reasons helps managers create supportive policies that reduce dishonesty.
Putting the Games plan into practice
Cisco, a technology partner for the Olympics, is implementing flexible working policies and employee engagement programs to manage Olympic-related disruption while building staff morale and community spirit during the Games.
News: Olympics at work? Get a TV licence – now
Employers must obtain a TV licence if they allow staff to watch live Olympics coverage at work this summer. However, catch-up services like BBC iPlayer are exempt from licensing requirements. TV Licensing warns that unlicensed broadcasting could result in fines up to £1,000 per offence.
Blog: How often should I change my job?
Career progression today requires taking control of your own development, as lifelong employment is no longer the norm. While frequent job changes were once viewed negatively, strategic moves that demonstrate career growth and increased responsibilities are now increasingly seen as ambitious career development rather than job-hopping.
Blog: How to have a high impact interview – From both sides of the desk
Learn how to excel in interviews from both perspectives. Discover why competency-based interviews are effective, how to structure your answers using the Circumstances-Behaviour-Impact technique, and tips for both candidates and interviewers to make a strong impression.
Talent Spot: Eivind Slaaen, Hilti’s head of people and culture development
Eivind Slaaen, head of people and culture development at Hilti, believes creating the right company environment requires embedding cultural initiatives into organizational DNA rather than imposing them from HR. His career path from finance to HR specialization reflects a commitment to making meaningful impact through people-focused strategy.
Book Review: Management in 10 words by Terry Leahy
This book by the recently retired chief executive of Tesco is worth reviewing simply because he is among the most successful leaders of his generation. As Terry Leahy tells us early on, Tesco was struggling to compete with more successful retailers such as Marks & Spencer and Sainsbury’s when he joined the company’s board. […]
Is it time to get out of HR?
HR professionals can advance to board-level roles by gaining cross-functional experience outside HR, such as line management positions in other departments. This broader business exposure helps leaders understand commercial operations, build credibility with stakeholders, and develop the strategic skills needed for senior leadership.
News: UK Border Agency ‘cut too many staff, too quickly’
The UK Border Agency cut over 1,000 staff too quickly, forcing it to hire replacements and increase overtime, according to the government’s spending watchdog. The National Audit Office found that staffing shortages in areas like London and southeast England harmed performance, while poor leadership and a delayed computer system worsened the situation.
Blog: Seeing eye-to-eye
Poor eye contact sends negative signals that undermine credibility and confidence, whether in social or professional settings. Improving your eye contact through deliberate practice—such as looking people in the eye before speaking and maintaining balanced engagement while talking—can significantly enhance how others perceive your trustworthiness and confidence.
News: Yahoo appoints pregnant CEO
Yahoo appointed Marissa Mayer as CEO while she was six months pregnant, making her a groundbreaking choice for the search engine company. The former Google executive planned to work through her pregnancy and take only a few weeks of maternity leave after her October due date.
Blog: Stories from the HR journey
Explore diverse HR career paths and professional journeys through stories from HR professionals. This blog series showcases how practitioners navigate different specializations—from recruitment to change management—and shares insights on what shapes their career choices and contributions to the field.
K2 Advisory research note: Is UK-based Fairsail a credible rival to SAP and Oracle?
Fairsail, a UK-based HR software provider, offers a competitive alternative to SAP and Oracle for mid-sized companies seeking comprehensive, cloud-based HR solutions. The four-year-old vendor targets the 2,000-5,000 employee market with lower implementation costs and end-to-end functionality.
