In a Nutshell: Five legal tips for easing Diamond Jubilee holiday headaches
Whether employees are entitled to paid leave during the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee bank holiday weekend depends on their employment contract terms. The Working Time Regulations guarantee 5.6 weeks’ annual paid leave, but no specific statutory right exists for bank holidays, making contractual language the deciding factor.
International HR Academy to act as knowledge-sharing forum for HRDs
King’s College London and Cornell University have established the International Human Resources Management Academy to share research and knowledge on global HR management with international HR leaders. The academy will hold forums twice yearly in London and New York, exploring themes including international HR strategy, managing cross-border change, and global talent management.
Blog: How one company coped with tragic loss
When a shipping company’s top two leadership tiers died in a plane crash, new CEO Ingar Skaug rebuilt by embedding strong values across the organization, removing those unwilling to comply, and proving that a healthy company culture directly drives financial success and resilience through tragedy.
Book review: Managing coaching at work by Jackie Keddy & Clive Johnson
This book provides practical guidance for planning and implementing organizational coaching initiatives, covering coach selection, evaluation, and program expansion. Ideal for HR leaders and learning professionals launching in-house coaching, it combines theoretical frameworks with real-world case studies and consulting experience.
Blog: What to do if your staff win the lottery
Employers can protect themselves from sudden staff departures due to lottery wins through contractual notice requirements and, more effectively, by building genuine employee loyalty through strong management, meaningful engagement, and creating a workplace people enjoy. When staff feel valued and connected to organizational success, they’re more likely to provide proper notice and transition support rather than abandon their roles.
Seven ways for HRDs to boost their influence at the top table
HR directors can boost their influence at the executive table by building stakeholder support, translating HR priorities into business language, and adopting an executive mindset rather than a purely functional one. Seven practical strategies help HR leaders demonstrate credible business contributions beyond technical competence.
Line manager training is key to flexible working success, advises O2
O2’s flexible working pilot revealed that line manager training is crucial for remote work success. The trial showed employees were productive working from home, but the company identified managing remote teams as a key challenge requiring ongoing support and development.
Employers offered hiring incentives under £1bn ‘Youth Contract’ scheme
The UK government launched a £1 billion Youth Contract scheme offering employers financial incentives over £2,275 to hire young people aged 18-24 and provide work experience or apprenticeship places. The initiative aims to help 160,000 young people find employment or training in a difficult job market.
Blog: Three tips for enhancing your online job pages
Enhance your job pages with company culture descriptions, professional photography, and detailed job postings to attract top talent. As competition for skilled candidates intensifies, thoughtful design and engaging content on careers pages are essential for standing out.
Blog: Crappy performance management rule 1 – Don’t tell anyone about the vision
Many organizations under-communicate their vision by a factor of 10 or more, making it difficult for employees to connect their work to organizational goals. Effective performance management requires clear, consistent communication of vision through multiple channels, with strong two-way dialogue to create a visible connection between organizational strategy and individual objectives.
Five characteristics of an effective leader in times of crisis
Effective crisis leadership requires five key characteristics: motivating people and gaining buy-in through aligned values, communicating authentically and personally, breaking down hierarchical barriers, and maintaining transparency. Leaders must help employees understand the crisis and their role in recovery through genuine, personalized engagement rather than generic messaging.
UK faces spring of discontent
The UK faces widespread industrial unrest this spring as baggage handlers at Stansted prepare strikes over pay cuts, doctors ballot for May action over pension changes, and police plan protests against proposed pay and conditions reforms.
HP gives contractors a 5% pay cut ultimatum
HP is giving IT contractors at its Enterprise Security Services division an ultimatum: accept a minimum 5% pay cut or lose their positions. The deadline for contractors to decide is today, according to leaked proposals confirmed by recruitment agents.
British Safety Council to unveil first workplace health manifesto in April
The British Safety Council will unveil its first workplace health and safety manifesto on April 23, focusing on reducing risk, strengthening leadership, and boosting worker engagement. The ‘Working Well’ proposal emphasizes that effective risk management, not legislation alone, is essential to prevent workplace injuries and illness.
Agency Worker Regs lead to creation of new staff payment models
The Agency Worker Regulations haven’t reduced demand for temporary staff, but have prompted new payment models in industrial and driving sectors. Research shows temp demand remains steady, with 31% of employers planning to grow their temporary workforce over the next three months.
Blog: The high cost of presenteeism
Presenteeism—employees working while unwell or distracted—costs UK employers up to three times more than absenteeism, potentially reaching £2 million annually for a 600-person company. Poor employee health accounts for over a quarter reduction in productivity, creating risks including workplace accidents, errors, and disease transmission.
Blog: The diversity issue – Is being people-friendly the next eco-friendly?
Diversity in business goes beyond checkbox compliance. True inclusivity—spanning gender, ethnicity, age, disability, and lived experience—drives measurable returns: companies with diverse boards show 42% higher sales returns and 66% higher return on invested capital, while diverse teams demonstrate superior problem-solving and collective intelligence.
Ask the Expert: Are dads on paternity leave entitled to bank holidays?
Fathers on paternity leave may lose bank holidays if they fall during their leave period, depending on how their employment contract defines holiday entitlement. If bank holidays are included in the statutory 5.6 weeks’ annual leave, employers must provide compensatory days off later in the year.
Do you take visa? How to deal with the new immigration guidelines
The UK’s new five-tier visa system creates significant compliance risks for employers. Hiring illegal workers now carries civil penalties up to £10,000 per employee and potential criminal charges, making it essential for HR professionals to properly verify candidates’ right to work through identity documentation and consistent immigration status questions.
Public sector employers not liable for asbestos claims, rules Supreme Court
The Supreme Court ruled that public sector employers are not liable for asbestos-related claims, with liability instead falling on insurers at the time of exposure. The landmark decision clarifies a long-standing dispute over compensation responsibility and protects employers from potentially costly mesothelioma claims, which typically exceed £200,000 each.
