Regional mediation pilots for SMEs unveiled
Two regional mediation pilot projects have been launched in a bid to help resolve workplace disputes in small-to-medium-sized companies before they reach the employment tribunal stage. Cambridge and Manchester will be the first areas to create mediation networks, which will each consist of 24 SMEs that will be selected later in the year. The Department […]
Blog: Is there a place for QR codes in recruitment?
As digital technology continues to engrain itself in our day to day lives, we’ve been increasingly looking at how we can reach our candidates through these new channels. It seems that as quickly as organisations get comfortable with one communications channel, another one springs up! As specialist online recruiters, it’s our job to help […]
Is homophobia still an issue in the workplace?
When discrimination at work against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people was finally outlawed in the UK in 2003, few predicted how rapidly full LGBT rights would come to be seen as the norm. Even in 2007 when discrimination outside the workplace was likewise banned, homophobia and transphobia still seemed very live issues. This […]
Microsoft backs same-sex marriage to help it compete for talent
Microsoft has joined with five other companies to officially support the legalisation of same-sex marriage because it believes that discrimination of any kind is counter-productive in the war for talent. Washington State in the US, where the high tech giant is based, is scheduled to hear two bills today (Pacific Daylight Time) which, if passed, […]
Three out of five HR professionals happy in their job
Nearly three out of five HR professionals are happy in their job, with only 5% hating where they work, according to a study. But although HR personnel are working longer hours than ever, this situation is not their biggest bugbear. Instead IT issues such as PCs and printers crashing for no apparent reason cause […]
Trends 2012: Employment law
With so many new legislative proposals around at the moment, this summary sets out details of what is coming into force and when in order to help you plan for the changes over the year ahead and beyond. 1 February 2012 The annual increase to Employment Tribunal limits will take place. The maximum compensatory […]
Analysis: What is ‘fair’? Co-operatives, bonuses and the living wage issue
A new Bill to make it easier for employees to set up their own co-operatives is to be put before Parliament in a bid to make the UK economy more “fair and worthwhile”. In a speech in London yesterday, the Prime Minister said that employee-owned organisations already provided the country with nearly £1 billion-worth of […]
Blog: Forget employee surveys – Social ‘sentiment’ is where it’s at
At the beginning of June I attended the Inspire Conference, London, a great event organised by a the very smart and thoroughly charming Adil Mohammed, whom I have the pleasure of working with of late. It was a great day that lived up to its name. There were many great presentations but one that stood out […]
Ask the Expert: Can we cut mileage rates without staff agreement?
The question In 2003, the company set mileage rates at 15p per mile for certain employees who drove their own cars. In 2007, the firm was bought out and became part of a larger group. The current head of the company resigned and a new manager was recruited to take over. In January […]
Work experience scheme launched to help autistic adults get jobs
The National Autistic Society’s recruitment service is piloting a new 28-week course entitled ‘Preparation for Employment’ to help adults with the condition move into work. NAS surveys indicate that only 15% of autistic adults are currently in full-time employment, even though most are willing and able to work. Key barriers to finding and keeping a […]
The Bribery Act: Goodbye to the gravy train
The UK Bribery Act 2010 is ushering in a new era of tighter control over corporate hospitality and employee entertainment. For any business built on wining and dining customers and business partners, the introduction of the Act this July will have a significant impact on its behaviour. To ensure they comply with the law, […]
PC to appeal dismissal for having sex on the job
A police constable plans to appeal against his dismissal for gross misconduct after a probe found that he had sex with five different women while on duty. Troy Van-Eda, who claimed he was separated from his wife, was sacked without notice from the Greater Manchester Police. The move followed an 18-month-long internal investigation undertaken by […]
Heads of flagship government apprenticeship schemes quit
The heads of both of the Coalition Government’s flagship multi-billion pound apprenticeship schemes have resigned on the same day. Geoff Russell, who heads up the Skills Funding Agency, and Simon Waugh, who was chief executive of the National Apprenticeship Service, both announced today that they plan to step down. Russell, who will leave his […]
Blog: Social media and the workforce – Can you hear me now?
Can you hear me now? That ubiquitous phrase made famous by Verizon became quite apropos at the end of 2011. After the most embarrassing debacle in history of marketing/pricing, Verizon was forced to backtrack, put their tail between their legs, and somberly walk away from what they thought would be another revenue steam. Netflix […]
Trends 2012: The talent issue
Prime Minister David Cameron predicts that 2012 will be another tough year for the UK economy. With this in mind, employers should be considering the implications of financial austerity measures, particularly with regards to selecting and nurturing talent. Selecting talent: In 2012, the ‘try before you buy’ trend will become increasingly prevalent due to two […]
Coral bets on SaaS-based workforce management system
A UK bookie has rolled out WorkPlace System’s Software-as-a-Service-based workforce management offering across 1,700 of its licensed betting shops in order to manage the whereabouts of its 10,000 employees. Coral, which is part of the Gala Coral Group, is the third largest retail bookmaking business in the country, with a market share of approximately 20%. The […]
Analysis: Increasingly fragile UK jobs market set to get “much worse”
The latest official figures paint a picture of “increasing fragility” in the UK jobs market, which is set to get “much worse” over the year ahead. According to the Office for National Statistics, unemployment rose by 118,000 in the three months to November, accounting for 2.69 million or 8.4% of the total workforce, up from […]
Blog: Global recognition stereotyping – don’t believe the lie
Recognise This! – The power of employee recognition and appreciation knows no geographic or cultural boundaries. I hear time and again that “it’s different over there.” Or “They do things differently. They don’t have the same expectations our employees here have.” I hear this most often about the Asia/Pacific region and usually specifically about […]
Book Review: How to be good at performance appraisals by Dick Grote
I must say that I approached Dick Grote’s book with some misgivings. Since designing and helping clients to install performance appraisal systems and advising on possible approaches to management development, I have become rather cynical about their usefulness after they have been around for a couple of years. This is not least because of […]
Update: Unilever workers start 11 days of strikes
Thousands of staff at Unilever are starting 11 days of strike action in a dispute over plans to close their final salary pension scheme later this year. Some 2,500 mostly factory-floor staff – out of a total workforce of 7,000 – took part in the first national strike at the company in December following an […]