News: Land Securities proposes bonus clawback scheme
Land Securities proposes introducing a bonus clawback scheme for executives, allowing the company to recover bonuses and share awards if company results are misstated or performance conditions aren’t met. The commercial property firm’s wide-ranging proposals aim to shift compensation away from discretionary payments toward longer-term shareholder returns, with shareholders voting on the changes in July 2012.
Blog: Leadership/management lessons from the Diamond debacle
The Bob Diamond case illustrates a critical leadership failure: strong vision without operational management. Effective executives must balance visionary leadership with robust management systems, as weak management undermines even the strongest strategic direction.
Blog: RTI and auto-enrolment – Would HMRC like to join us in real-time?
RTI (Real Time Information) will transform PAYE by requiring employers and pension providers to submit income data to HMRC in real time, coinciding with October 2013 automatic enrolment and Universal Credit implementation. The change marks the biggest PAYE update in over 60 years.
Legal Insight: Bob Diamond – A case of constructive unfair dismissal?
Bob Diamond’s resignation as Barclays CEO amid regulatory and media pressure raises important employment law questions. If an employee resigns due to unfair third-party pressure and the employer fails to protect them, they may have grounds for a constructive unfair dismissal claim. Employers must carefully balance supporting staff against legitimate business concerns.
News: Greater reliance on army reservists ‘could lead to more tribunal cases’
Doubling the size of the army reserves to offset 20,000 job cuts could trigger more employment tribunal cases unless employers better understand reservist rights and protections. Philip Henson, an employment law expert, warns that many businesses lack knowledge of the Reserve Forces Act and related legislation governing reservist employment and mobilization procedures.
News: Disabled Remploy workers to strike over 2,800 proposed job cuts
Disabled workers at Remploy factories are staging two 24-hour strikes to protest proposed closures of 36 factories and 2,800 job losses. Members of GMB and Unite unions say the coalition government’s plan ignores workers’ needs and economic arguments, with strikes scheduled for July 19 and 26.
Blog: Punk rock HR – Recruitment
CareerPassport is transforming recruitment through innovative software that streamlines the hiring process for companies and job seekers alike. The platform simplifies candidate sourcing, application management, and feedback through integrated career sites and automated job matching, reducing application time from multiple steps to just 39 seconds.
Blog: When to use social networks or personal networking?
Learn the key differences between social networks and personal networking for leaders. While social media reaches broad audiences with public information, personal networking builds deeper trust through private conversations—both serve different strategic purposes in modern business.
Barclays and the value of succession planning
Barclays’ executive departures following the Libor scandal highlight the critical importance of succession planning. Organizations face growing challenges filling leadership roles due to talent shortages and skills gaps, making proactive succession strategies essential for business continuity and employee engagement.
Banking crisis: Should staff pay be linked to customer service?
Banking customers face significant service issues, with a third having filed complaints in recent years. FSA head Hector Sants suggests linking staff pay to customer service metrics could improve bank-customer relationships and demonstrate industry reform.
News: Employee ownership ‘not the sole driver of staff engagement’
Employee ownership alone won’t drive staff engagement, warns the Institute of Customer Service, despite the deputy prime minister’s push for a “John Lewis Economy.” The institute argues that engagement requires a clear service vision, ethics, and multiple incentive approaches beyond financial rewards.
Blog: Why is it still a novelty when women get a seat on the board?
In 2012, women held only 16.1 percent of corporate board seats in the U.S., making Sheryl Sandberg’s appointment as Facebook’s first female director noteworthy but overdue. The article examines why female board representation remains rare despite women’s significant influence in business and consumer markets.
Blog: Performance and teamwork tips from Olympian Steve Williams
Olympic rower Steve Williams shares insights on performance and teamwork from his experience winning double gold medals. His talk emphasizes the importance of hard work, blind trust within teams, constructive feedback, and meticulous preparation over years of training rather than talent alone.
News: Coaching industry under threat from cowboys
The coaching industry, valued at nearly $2 billion globally, faces a significant challenge from untrained practitioners calling themselves coaches. A survey of over 12,000 coaches across 117 countries found that 43% are concerned about unqualified individuals undermining the profession, with most believing industry regulation is needed.
Legal Insight: Playing the Games within the letter of the law
Employers should begin planning now for Olympic and Paralympic Games disruption, including managing transport issues, flexible working arrangements, and holiday requests. Key steps include staggering work hours, enabling remote work where possible, and reviewing policies for data protection and health and safety.
Blog: How to boost employee engagement
Boost employee engagement by focusing on recognition, organizational reputation, and performance management. Aon Hewitt research shows that positive reinforcement, employer branding, and clear performance objectives are key drivers that increase employee motivation to go above and beyond.
Blog: Five ways to make your office a comfortable place to work
Create a comfortable office environment by maximizing natural light, reducing paper clutter, investing in ergonomic furniture, and designing spaces that reflect your company culture. These five essential strategies help attract and retain talent while boosting employee productivity and well-being.
In a Nutshell: Five tips for being an effective manager
Effective managers recognize the importance of gratitude, fairness, and trust while adapting to challenges. Learn five essential management tips from Charles Elvin, chief executive of the Institute of Leadership & Management, including the power of saying thank you and taking calculated risks.
News: Managers and staff differ over value of social media in the workplace
A Deloitte survey reveals a significant gap between executives and employees on social media’s workplace value. While 45% of managers see benefits, only 27% of staff agree. The research highlights differing priorities, with leaders emphasizing financial performance while employees prioritize open communication and management accessibility.
Film Review: Water for Elephants
Water for Elephants is a 2011 romantic drama following a veterinary student who jumps a passing circus train and becomes entangled in a love triangle with the circus owner and his wife. The film explores Depression-era employment practices and working conditions within a traveling circus operation.
