News: BA cabin crew sue for loss of travel discounts during strike
BA cabin crew from outside England are suing the airline for indirect racial discrimination over the withdrawal of travel discounts during strikes. The 30 employees, who relied on discounted fares to commute to Heathrow, claim they suffered disproportionate financial hardship and lost up to £2,000 each.
Video Interview: SynGro’s Ken Scott on how best to exploit staff feedback
Ken Scott from SynGro explains why many organizations fail to effectively leverage employee feedback and how businesses can better use Voice of the Employee insights to improve operations and customer experience.
Blog: Punk rock HR – How to make learning worthwhile
Effective learning requires diagnosing specific needs first, identifying obstacles to learning, and choosing the right method—not automatically sending people to training courses. This systematic approach prevents wasting time and money on ineffective programs that don’t address real capability gaps.
Blog: How to wear someone down when applying for your job vacancy
A Primary Care Trust’s job posting for a Communications Manager requires applicants to read 26,000+ words of dense documents—five times more text than the U.S. Constitution—potentially designed to discourage applicants from pursuing a position already earmarked for a preferred candidate in the public sector.
In a Nutshell: Five top tips for staying stress-free
Stress is the leading cause of long-term sickness absence in UK workplaces. HR experts recommend five practical strategies to manage workplace stress: address changeable issues, talk to your manager about workload, use employee support programs, delegate tasks, and maintain healthy habits like exercise and good nutrition.
Heathrow: Ensuring staff actions line up with corporate values
I think it was Napoleon who said that Britain was a nation of shopkeepers. It’s certainly true that we know a thing or two about queuing – it’s pretty much a national past time. So it seems strange that we could get it so wrong at Heathrow Airport. It’s not as if it’s something […]
News: Senior execs lead by example in adopting social media tools
Senior executives use social media tools weekly at significantly higher rates than junior staff, with 71% adopting them compared to 49% of lower-ranking employees, according to new European research. The study found social tools improve business outcomes by enhancing team collaboration, boosting productivity, and accelerating information access.
News: HMRC workers vote for strike action
HMRC workers have voted for strike action over job cuts and privatisation plans, with more than half backing a strike and four in five supporting action short of a strike. The Public and Commercial Services union is fighting proposed cuts of 10,000 jobs, citing concerns about tax collection and services.
News: Govt dismisses ‘exploitation’ of unpaid Jubilee stewards as “one off”
The government dismissed complaints about unpaid jobseekers sleeping under London Bridge during the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee as a “one-off incident,” despite claims a security firm exploited cheap labour. Former deputy PM Lord Prescott urged an investigation into whether employment standards were breached.
Talking Point: How professionalised is the HR profession?
The HR profession is evolving from a service-driven function toward an insight-driven role that combines business acumen with ethical leadership. As the CIPD marks its centenary, HR practitioners must balance becoming more business-savvy while serving as organizational conscience, challenging short-term thinking in favor of sustainable performance.
Blog: Lessons from The Pitch: 9 steps to building a top notch team
Watch advertising agencies compete under pressure in AMC’s The Pitch to learn nine essential steps for building effective teams. The show reveals how successful team management requires diverse personalities, clear leadership, and strong communication to solve problems and achieve results.
TV Review: The Apprentice Finale – Objectivity and gut feel are a winning combination
The Apprentice finale reveals why winner Ricky outshone competitors: he combined a clear, focused business concept with genuine passion and expertise. Using Jim Collins’ “Hedgehog Concept,” this analysis shows how objectivity cuts through reality TV drama to identify the strongest candidate.
Fancy a reward-ing career?
Reward professionals face strong long-term demand despite economic challenges, requiring compensation expertise, benefits knowledge, and strong analytical skills. Career progression requires demonstrating business acumen and adaptability beyond narrow technical focus.
Talent Spot: Community blogger, Bob Bannister
Bob Bannister, managing director of training provider iManage Performance, turned airport layovers into a writing opportunity that launched his career in learning and development. After publishing a time management book in the mid-90s while working for Philips, he eventually left corporate life to build his own training business focused on personal effectiveness and leadership skills.
News: Cautious hiring and low pay awards the “new normal”
UK employers are adopting cautious hiring practices and keeping wage growth low, with median pay rises expected to remain around 2.8%. A CBI survey found nearly half of businesses plan below-inflation pay awards or wage freezes, while skills gaps among young workers remain a significant hiring concern.
News: HR employers do little to keep staff despite skills shortage fears
Despite concerns about staff turnover, around two in five HR employers are taking no action to retain employees, even as half of junior HR managers plan to leave within a year, according to a Reed salary survey.
Christina’s Counsel: How can I make my workplace more family-friendly?
Creating a family-friendly workplace attracts top talent and reduces stress-related absences. Key practices include flexible working, childcare support, and career breaks that help employees balance home and work responsibilities while boosting productivity and loyalty.
Blog: The employee impact of a recognition desert – survey
A Globoforce survey reveals that 86% of employees want workplace recognition, yet 46% feel unsatisfied with what they receive. The study shows frequent recognition significantly impacts manager effectiveness and employee engagement, with 41% receiving no recognition in six months.
Blog: Three ways to help new hires settle in
Help new employees settle into your workplace with three practical strategies: prepare a clean, fully-stocked desk, provide a handy reference guide with passwords and software information, and create a welcome document with photos and job descriptions of coworkers.
Five reasons why HR should adopt social media
HR professionals should adopt social media for recruiting, employee engagement, and professional development. Social platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter help attract both active and passive job candidates, support ongoing training initiatives, and keep staff informed about industry trends and company updates.
