Case Study: Medtronic introduces global well-being scheme to cut absenteeism
Medtronic launched a global well-being programme to help employees address health issues like obesity, stress, and smoking while reducing absenteeism. The initiative uses confidential health assessments and personalized coaching to identify high-risk individuals, with early results showing significant improvements including a 15% reduction in smoking rates.
Talent Spot: Gill Crowther, HR director at Nominet
Gill Crowther, HR director at Nominet, built her career across Ford, GlaxoSmithKline, and Microsoft before launching her own management consultancy. She joined the .uk domain registry operator in 2007, focusing on creating an engaging workplace where employees feel both challenged and valued.
Video Interview: Beecroft talks to the TUC – Should it be easier to sack staff?
Venture capitalist Adrian Beecroft debates making it easier to fire underperforming employees with TUC boss Brendan Barber in this video interview. The proposal has sparked controversy about employment law reform.
News: Legal costs see most employers settle tribunal cases out-of-court
Most UK employers settle employment tribunal cases out-of-court even with strong defence prospects because legal costs make early settlement cheaper than winning at tribunal, according to employment law experts analyzing Ministry of Justice data.
News: Government attempts to inspire UK’s future workforce
The UK government has launched Inspiring the Future, a scheme encouraging professionals to volunteer in state schools and discuss their careers with students. The initiative aims to help young people explore job opportunities they might not have previously considered.
Blog: Does gender equality stretch to pensions?
Older women working past state pension age are concentrated in low-skilled, poorly paid jobs like cleaning and care work, while men hold higher-skilled positions. This disparity reflects inadequate pension provisions for women, leaving many facing retirement in poverty despite gender equality efforts elsewhere.
Blog: The Olympics – Learning lessons in flexible working
RBS and UK government agencies are allowing flexible working during the Olympics to boost productivity amid transport disruptions. Despite criticism, the policy highlights a crucial lesson: organizational success depends on trust between managers and employees, whether working remotely or in-office.
Book review: Engaged: Unleashing your organization’s potential through employee engagement
Employee engagement is a shared responsibility between employer and employee, according to this comprehensive review of a book that explores the four key elements driving engagement while emphasizing trust and treating workers as human beings rather than production units.
How business savvy are you – really?
HR professionals must demonstrate business savvy by understanding their organization’s business model, generating data-driven insights, and proactively connecting across departments. True commercial HR leaders focus on aligning people strategies with business objectives rather than simply labeling themselves as commercial.
HRD Insight: Fujitsu UK’s Ella Bennett on HR’s role in supporting change
HR directors play a vital role in helping organizations adapt to rapid change by developing strong leadership, fostering the right culture, building organizational capacity, and ensuring they have the right talent in place. A survey of 250 C-level executives revealed these elements are critical for responding effectively to external business dynamics.
News: Police set to shed 32,400 jobs by 2015
A study reveals that 32,400 police officers and civilian staff in England and Wales will lose their jobs by 2015 due to 20% spending cuts. With 17,600 jobs already gone since March 2010, forces aim to cut 5,800 frontline officers over three years, though some police chiefs warn maintaining service quality will become increasingly difficult.
News: One million UK workers drugged up at work
Nearly one million UK workers have illegal drugs in their system at work, with positive drug tests jumping 43% over five years to 3.23%, according to a new report analyzing over 1.6 million workplace drug screenings.
Ask the Expert: Can changes to employment terms be imposed without discussion?
Employers must consult employees before making changes to terms and conditions of employment. If an employer imposes changes without discussion, employees can raise a grievance or potentially claim constructive dismissal, depending on their contract terms and length of service.
Blog: Why it makes sense to upgrade your HR system
Upgrading to a modern HRIS reduces administrative burden on HR professionals, freeing time for strategic work while improving data management and employee self-service capabilities. These systems streamline hiring, payroll, benefits, and performance tracking while providing analytics to help identify talent gaps and boost workplace productivity.
Blog: Dealing with summer absences
Summer months see higher rates of employee absence due to increased injuries from physical activities and stress-related issues. Employers can manage these absences through careful leave planning, safety recommendations, and support services while maintaining duty of care.
Legal Insight: The impact of the Bribery Act on Olympics hospitality
The Bribery Act 2010 raised concerns about corporate entertainment, particularly around the 2012 London Olympics. While the Act prohibits lavish gifts and hospitality that could constitute bribes, government guidance clarifies that reasonable, bona fide business entertainment remains permissible under the legislation.
News: NHS whistleblower subject to “super gag”
An NHS Trust paid a former chief executive over £500,000 in severance, including a “super gag” confidentiality clause that prevents him from discussing patient safety concerns that allegedly led to his dismissal in 2010.
News: London bus workers set two pre-Olympic strike dates
London bus workers have scheduled two strike dates—July 5 and July 24—demanding £500 Olympic bonuses, disrupting at least 40 routes during morning rush hour. The action comes as rail and tube workers have already secured similar payments, while bus companies and the union remain in dispute over compensation.
Blog: Making the abstract real – Living workplace values
Company values only matter when employees understand how to apply them in their daily work. Many organizations display their values on badges and materials, but fail to help staff actually live them through concrete behaviors and recognition, leaving abstract ideals meaningless without practical application.
Blog: Recruitment – What jobseekers really want
A survey of 291 jobseekers reveals what attracts and retains talent during recruitment. Candidates want complete job information upfront, quick CV acknowledgment within three days, and structured interviews with constructive feedback to improve their hiring experience.
