Talent Spot: Vikki Sly, global recruitment director at QlikTech
Vikki Sly, global recruitment director at QlikTech, challenges the myth that hiring decisions are made in seconds. She believes successful companies must invest time in recruitment to find candidates who fit both technical requirements and company culture, especially in competitive IT markets.
EU Parliament votes in favour of binding female boardroom quotas
The EU Parliament voted to establish binding quotas requiring 30% female board representation by 2015 and 40% by 2020 at publicly-listed companies. Meanwhile, a UK report showed slower progress, with female directorships rising to only 15.6%, prompting concerns that voluntary measures may prove insufficient without EU-wide legislation.
‘Pop-Up Shop’ provides unemployed youth with retail work experience
A pop-up shop in London is providing 15 unemployed young people with retail training and work experience. Participants completed a four-week program covering store operations, merchandising, and branding before running the shop for three weeks in an empty retail space.
Blog: Yes, you can really grow your brain!
The brain can physically grow and change throughout your life through learning and practice, a concept called neuroplasticity. Research shows that developing expertise in specific skills, like taxi drivers navigating complex routes, actually enlarges relevant brain regions and creates new neural connections.
Diplomat and influencer: The emerging ‘head of talent’ role
Companies are appointing “heads of talent” to identify future leaders amid a global shortage of executives with emerging market skills. Research from FTSE 100 firms reveals the role requires diplomatic influence and CEO support to succeed, despite often lacking formal authority.
Ministers in legal battle to stop Christians wearing crosses at work
The UK government argues in a European Court of Human Rights case that Christians have no legal right to wear crosses at work, contending it is not a requirement of Christian faith. Two women suspended or barred from their jobs for refusing to remove crosses challenge this position as discriminatory and a breach of human rights.
‘Extreme interviewing’ migrates to UK from Silicon Valley
Extreme interviewing, a technique popularized by Steve Jobs and Google, is expanding from Silicon Valley to the UK. Employers use unconventional questions and challenges to assess how candidates think on their feet and handle pressure, with responses often valued more than answers themselves.
Blog: Is ‘fire at will’ dismissal legislation a good idea?
The government’s proposed “fire at will” dismissal law for small businesses could undermine worker protections and damage company morale, despite claims it would boost employment and economic growth. Critics argue the change risks discrimination claims and sets a regressive precedent for employee rights.
National Science and Engineering Week: Plugging the specialist skills gap
National Science and Engineering Week highlights Europe’s critical specialist skills gap, driven by rapid technological and market changes. Rising demand for expertise in technology, finance, and energy sectors creates recruitment challenges amid economic uncertainty and stricter EU labor regulations, forcing employers to compete harder for qualified talent.
Ask the Expert: How do we deal with an alleged accident victim who is now in Brazil?
An employee who slipped at work a year ago is now in Brazil, hasn’t returned, and stopped sending sick certificates six months ago. The employer seeks guidance on dismissal options while an injury claim and potential misconduct regarding unauthorized absence are pending.
Abercrombie & Fitch staff made to do punishment press-ups, claims leaked email
A leaked email from an Abercrombie & Fitch Milan store manager instructed staff to perform press-ups as punishment for customer service mistakes. The company claims the misguided practice was stopped shortly after discovery and denies it reflects company policy, though the incident has drawn criticism from Italian union leaders over workplace dignity standards.
500 KPMG staff informed of redundancy risk – by voicemail
KPMG informed 500 staff of redundancy risk via voicemail after an HR email directed them to listen to a pre-recorded message from senior partner Julian Thomas. The accountancy firm, despite being voted a top employer, is cutting 30 positions across its corporate division due to declining profitability.
Blog: Do we encourage a dependency culture at work?
Many managers fall into the trap of doing their team’s work instead of delegating and developing them. This dependency culture undermines long-term growth, team independence, and the manager’s own career advancement opportunities.
Nine out of 10 staff unaware of employer’s Olympics workforce policies
A SunGard survey reveals that while four in five employers have created Olympics workforce policies, nine out of ten staff remain unaware of them. The study also found that 43% of organizations expect supply chain disruptions during the Games, with concerns about just-in-time business models limiting their resilience.
HR software deployments: ‘Big bang’ or phased roll-out?
HR software deployments require choosing between a big bang approach—implementing the entire system at once—or a phased roll-out over time. Both strategies offer distinct advantages and challenges, as demonstrated by organizations like Cyril Sweett, which chose the all-in-one implementation of Unit4’s Agresso system to gain operational consistency and efficiency.
Dealing with an Olympian event
Nearly a third of UK organisations lack adequate preparations for the upcoming Olympic Games, despite 93% expecting to be affected. Employers in host areas face challenges including holiday requests, travel disruption, and the need for flexible working arrangements to maintain business continuity and staff morale.
International Women’s Day: Only 19% of IT professionals are female
Women make up only 19% of IT professionals despite industry efforts to increase female representation, according to a poll by The IT Job Board. The figure rose 3% year-over-year, but experts say inflexible working hours and childcare concerns remain barriers to attracting more women into technology careers.
Blog: Notes from the TLNT Transform conference – Welcome to the “new era of people”
The TLNT Transform conference in Austin revealed how HR is entering a new era where people strategy directly intersects with organizational success. As conference chair, the author observed that getting the “people thing right”—ensuring employees are motivated, skilled, informed, and engaged—is foundational to executing any business strategy and driving company goals.
HRD Insight: Leigh Lafever-Ayer on Enterprise Rent-A-Car’s women’s mentoring scheme
Enterprise Rent-A-Car has launched a women’s mentoring scheme to help female employees progress to senior roles, addressing a significant gap in boardroom representation. The company promotes exclusively from within and has achieved 40% female graduate hires, but faces retention challenges as women advance to middle management.
International Women’s Day: Making gender diversity a workplace reality
International Women’s Day highlights the need for greater gender diversity in workplaces. While women’s representation in FTSE 100 boardrooms has improved, they remain underrepresented at senior management levels. Employers must develop strategic recruitment approaches and foster inclusive workplace cultures to attract and retain female talent.
