SMEs refuse staff extra day’s holiday for Diamond Jubilee weekend
Two-thirds of small and medium-sized businesses are refusing to grant employees an extra day’s holiday for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee weekend, instead requiring staff to use annual leave or work as usual, according to a survey of 700 SMEs.
Former press officer sues GCHQ for bullying amid “widespread” racism claims
A former senior press officer at GCHQ is suing the spy agency for race discrimination, bullying, and constructive dismissal after being blocked from publishing a report on widespread racism within the organization and allegedly victimized for whistleblowing.
Construction sector sets up industry-wide forum to boost inclusion
The construction industry has launched an industry-wide forum to improve diversity and increase employment among women, ethnic minorities, and disabled people. The initiative follows research recommendations highlighting the need for change in hiring and retention practices across the sector.
Legal Insight: How to cope with tube strikes
During London Underground strikes, employers must check employment contracts to determine if staff should be paid for missed work days. In the absence of contractual rights, employees aren’t entitled to wages, though employers can choose to pay anyway—while maintaining consistent policies to avoid discrimination claims.
Blog: Company culture according to GE’s Jack Welch
Jack Welch argues that strong company culture must be built on behavior and consequences, not just words. Leaders must consistently reinforce values through training, integration into daily work, and clear rewards or consequences for how employees embody them. This drives business results through improved engagement, retention, and performance.
How to avoid 10 common employee communication pitfalls
Discover 10 common employee communication pitfalls to avoid, including lack of clarity, relying on single channels, and one-way messaging. Effective internal communications require tailored, multi-channel strategies that encourage open dialogue and provide proper context for organizational messages.
Ask the Expert: Should car allowances be included in sick pay?
When an employee on long-term sick leave receives a regular cash car allowance, whether it continues during illness depends on the employment contract terms and company sick pay policy. Legal entitlement differs from statutory requirements, and disability protections under the Equality Act may apply.
Case Study: Kent Fire and Rescue optimises staffing with time and attendance system
Kent Fire and Rescue Service implemented a Kronos time and attendance system to optimize scheduling across its 1,700 staff and 66 fire stations. The system automatically matches firefighter availability and skills to shift requirements, alerts managers to absences, and integrates with mobilizing systems to ensure adequate crew coverage during peak periods.
Mental ill-health issues cost employers £30 billion per year
Mental ill-health costs UK employers £30 billion annually in lost productivity, with half from worker absences totaling 91 million days. The Centre for Mental Health reports the remainder stems from presenteeism, when ill employees work below capacity. New guidance from Acas and Workways helps employers support staff and create psychologically supportive workplaces.
News: Would you sack someone for blogging about your job offer?
A recent graduate’s journalism job offer was rescinded after he posted about it on his blog, citing unauthorized use of the company logo and quotes from his offer letter. HR experts suggest the incident resulted from miscommunication, as employers typically prefer to control hiring announcements themselves during onboarding.
Blog: How to hold on to good employees – Part 1
Learn the five main reasons employees leave their jobs—from poor company culture and lack of recognition to insufficient support and limited growth opportunities. Understanding these factors is essential for developing effective retention strategies.
Blog: How to help staff get in better financial shape
Employers can help improve employee financial wellness through free financial education seminars, automated savings programs, and retirement planning initiatives. These simple strategies encourage workers to build better money management habits and reach their savings goals.
Cultivating emotional intelligence: Lessons from two public resignations
Two high-profile resignations from Goldman Sachs and Google reveal important lessons about emotional intelligence in leadership and organizational culture. When departing senior employees publicly criticize their employers, it often signals deeper internal problems that leaders failed to address proactively. Understanding these departures offers insights into how emotionally intelligent leadership can prevent talented executives from walking away.
CSC staff protest about proposed NHS Lorenzo deal redundancies
CSC staff protested against compulsory redundancies planned for workers on the NHS Lorenzo patient records system. Unite union rejected the company’s proposal despite receiving voluntary redundancy requests, and has proposed an alternative plan to avoid job losses.
Employers must now provide PAYE reference number for liability records
From April 2012, employers must provide their PAYE tax reference number when obtaining employer’s liability insurance policies. This requirement supports the Employers’ Liability Database, helping employees track down relevant insurers and coverage details from their working years.
Blog: What economic impact is ‘gross national happiness’ likely to have?
A UN conference on happiness and wellbeing concluded that economic growth alone doesn’t guarantee increased national happiness. The report identifies four independent factors—community trust, mental and physical health, quality governance, and rule of law—as equally important drivers of well-being alongside financial wealth.
TV Review: The Apprentice Week 5 – The value in being a team player
Week 5 of The Apprentice saw two teams design fitness programmes, revealing crucial lessons about teamwork. While Sterling’s “Groove Train” benefited from collaborative input, Phoenix’s “Beat Battle” suffered when PM Duane dominated decisions, sidelining teammates Laura and Nick. The episode underscores why being a team player—listening, empowering others, and building trust—matters more than individual confidence alone.
Blog: Succession planning – Winning the talent war
Effective succession planning is critical for organizational continuity. While companies like McDonald’s and IBM excel at seamlessly transitioning leadership, many organizations lack formal strategies to identify and develop high-potential leaders, leaving them vulnerable when top executives depart unexpectedly.
Case Study: Nokia attempts to ‘Bridge’ the gap with employee outplacement scheme
Nokia’s “Bridge” employee outplacement scheme helps redundant workers find new opportunities through job placement, entrepreneurship support, retraining, and career guidance. The initiative has assisted approximately 250 people in finding new positions, with additional participants still engaged in the program.
Legal Insight: Health matters part 1 – Managing sickness absence
Effective sickness absence management can significantly reduce costs while retaining staff. Well-drafted policies and clear procedures help set attendance standards, improve employee accountability, and can deliver substantial savings—one major manufacturer cut absences by 15% and saved £11 million after initial investment.
