Employee wellness programmes: Proving their worth and paying their way
Employee wellness programmes deliver measurable returns on investment, with research showing participants experienced significant improvements in self-esteem, job engagement, and productivity levels. A study of 752 employees found that low-impact exercise initiatives reduced depression symptoms by 28%, increased self-confidence by 35%, and boosted work productivity by up to 20%.
Budget 2012: Fears over lack of prep time for Olympics Sunday working plans
Chancellor George Osborne proposed suspending Sunday trading laws during the 2012 Olympics, allowing large shops extended hours across eight weekends. Employers and unions raised concerns about insufficient preparation time and potential negative impacts on shop workers forced to work additional hours.
Budget 2012: Local pay deals ‘could expose public sector to discrimination claims’
Local pay deals in the public sector could expose employers to discrimination claims if not carefully implemented, according to legal experts. The Chancellor proposed making public sector pay more responsive to regional rates, but selective application risks equal pay issues, particularly affecting female employees in lower-paid roles.
Budget 2012: Income tax changes branded ‘Robin Hood lite’ at best
The 2012 Budget increased personal tax allowances while cutting the top rate of income tax from 50p to 45p, though critics argue the changes do little to support growth and jobs. While higher earners benefit significantly, lower-income workers such as nurses face net losses despite the allowance increase.
Budget 2012: Pensioners are today’s “biggest losers”, claims industry body
The National Association of Pension Funds criticized the 2012 Budget, claiming existing pensioners are the “biggest losers” due to the removal of age-related tax allowances worth over £2 billion. While welcoming the new single-tier state pension proposal, the industry body warned current retirees would face significant losses despite the government’s simplification efforts.
Budget 2012: Five industries singled out for special treatment
The 2012 Budget targets aerospace, energy, pharmaceuticals, creative media and science as key industries to diversify the UK economy away from financial services. The Chancellor announced tax credits for video games and animation, patent tax cuts for life sciences, and £100 million for research facilities, aiming to create one million jobs over five years.
Blog: Eight tips to support staff through difficult organisational change
Organisational change doesn’t have to damage staff wellbeing. This guide explores eight practical strategies managers and HR professionals can use to support employees through difficult transitions, emphasizing that how change is managed matters more than the change itself.
Blog: Three simple ways to spruce up for spring
Boost your wellness this spring with three simple strategies: take advantage of warmer weather for free outdoor exercise like walking and gardening, support your immune system through detoxification and proper hydration, and try energizing recipes like detox smoothies to establish healthy habits that last year-round.
Talent Spot: Jo Webb, talent director at The Marketing Store
Jo Webb, talent director at The Marketing Store, found her career home in HR after a winding journey through PR, branding, and recruitment. Her path included launching a successful English teaching business in Thailand and learning the importance of cultural fit when hiring talented people.
In a Nutshell: Four insights into workplace fraudsters
Workplace fraud typically involves many people stealing small amounts rather than rare high-value heists. Two key employee groups commit most internal fraud: young administrative staff facing personal pressures and long-service managers feeling overlooked or excluded, often motivated by financial or lifestyle pressures.
European eSkills Week: Europe to be 700,000 ICT professionals short by 2015
Europe will face a shortage of 700,000 ICT professionals by 2015, despite workforce growth projections. The European Commission’s e-Skills Week campaign highlights that 90% of future jobs across all sectors will require digital skills, making tech education critical for employment.
PCS union to push for 2nd national pension strike in April
The Public and Commercial Services Union plans to coordinate a second national pension strike in April, with 90.5% of members voting to reject the government’s latest offer and 72.1% supporting further action against cuts to civil service pensions.
Creative industries ‘collective’ to speed date work placement candidates
A new employer-led initiative unites 100 creative industry companies to offer 300 apprenticeships and internships to young people aged 16 and over through a speed dating-style interview process called the Creative Pioneers Challenge.
Blog: The Goldman Sachs resignation – Three lessons on corporate culture
Greg Smith’s Goldman Sachs resignation letter sparked important lessons about corporate culture: leaders must proactively manage culture rather than let it drift, translate stated values into actual hiring and promotion decisions, and build resilient cultures that can withstand individual employee actions while adapting to employee needs.
Blog: Does jargon really enhance HR’s professional credibility?
HR jargon has proliferated since the 1990s, with terms like “HR Business Partner” and “employee engagement” replacing simpler language. This article questions whether such terminology actually enhances professional credibility or obscures the fundamental purpose of people management.
Book Review: Career coach by Corinne Mills
Career Coach by Corinne Mills is a practical workbook offering career management techniques and exercises to improve self-knowledge and career resilience. Written by a leading UK career coach, it helps readers understand their career situation and develop their capabilities, though it requires significant personal commitment to be effective.
Managing career development in a changing world
Career development requires balancing employee loyalty with organizational vision. While companies seek committed talent, they must genuinely invest in workers’ growth and values—intrinsic motivation drives engagement better than extrinsic rewards alone, yet predicting future talent needs remains challenging in an unpredictable world.
Will the Olympic torch pass by your workplace?
Check if the Olympic torch relay will pass your workplace or home. The street-by-street route for the Summer London Olympics torch relay across the UK has been published, with the flame beginning its 70-day journey on May 19.
Budget 2012: The dismantling of national pay bargaining begins
The UK Chancellor will announce plans to allow central government departments to set their own local pay rates, starting with three departments in April. The move, which could trigger further union strikes over pension changes, aims to eventually extend local pay bargaining across the entire public sector, despite union criticism that it will harm poorer regions.
Blog: Five ways to get demotivated staff committed to their employer’s future
Help demotivated staff regain commitment by creating a compelling vision of the future. This guide explores five strategies including involving employees in planning, building on organizational strengths, and visualizing ideal outcomes to inspire engagement and drive positive behavior change.
