Employer sues former worker for “stealing” its Twitter followers
Phonedog Media is suing former employee Noah Kravitz for refusing to hand over a Twitter account with 17,000 followers he created while working there, claiming $340,000 in damages based on the account’s projected value.
Blog: Harnessing employee emotional intelligence to boost productivity
Employee emotional intelligence significantly impacts workplace productivity and team performance. A JCA study of 12,400 workers found emotional intelligence has declined since the financial crisis, making it essential for employers to assess and develop this skill through psychometric tools, business simulations, and 360° feedback.
Talent Spot: Kate Russell, the HR Headmistress
Kate Russell, the HR Headmistress, is a managing director of Russell HR Consulting who provides employment law training and HR consulting services. After initially training as a barrister and briefly working in restaurants, Russell found her true calling in HR and now works as an author, speaker, and blogger.
Talking Point: Why HR directors should manage, not mother
HR directors should prioritize managing employees based on performance rather than adopting an overly empathetic “mothering” approach. Delaying disciplinary decisions due to fear of legal action or reluctance to confront issues damages business efficiency and can erode team respect.
Neet employer funding: ‘Why fill in forms for a social experiment?’
The government’s £126m training scheme for 55,000 NEETs has drawn criticism from business leaders who argue funding should go directly to employers rather than training providers. Pimlico Plumbers’ founder says the approach creates unnecessary bureaucracy, while employers question whether the scheme justifies completing tender documents.
Tesco changes work experience terms in bid to end protests
Tesco is offering paid placements and guaranteed jobs to work experience candidates, reversing its unpaid labor practices after consumer backlash over its participation in the government’s Workfare scheme.
The HR Headmistress: How to deliver compliance training with aplomb
Compliance training often feels like an obligation rather than an opportunity, but effective delivery can transform it into valuable organizational practice. Learn how personalized, well-executed training reduces legal risks, improves employee accountability, and delivers better commercial results than checkbox compliance.
Blog: Charity needs to begin at home for third sector HR
The third sector faces disproportionately high employee grievances and disputes despite its reputation as an employer champion. Poor HR practices in smaller nonprofits, often due to lack of expertise and funding, contribute to this problem. Larger charities could address this by sharing HR knowledge and best practices with smaller counterparts.
Employers vs employees – What both parties want to see
New research reveals a significant gap between employer expectations and jobseeker perceptions of important workplace skills. While 88% of employers prioritize teamwork, communication, and customer service skills, only one in ten jobseekers consider these abilities important. The findings also show that 42% of employers say most interviewees fail to impress them, highlighting widespread interview preparation challenges.
Minister: UK employers should favour UK unemployed
Employment Minister Chris Grayling has called for UK employers to prioritize young British unemployed workers over immigrant job applicants, despite EU employment laws prohibiting such discrimination. The appeal echoes earlier “British jobs for British people” rhetoric, as youth unemployment reaches around 1 million.
Workfare critics are job snobs, says Chris Grayling
Employment Minister Chris Grayling defended the Government’s workfare scheme, calling critics “job snobs” as Tesco faced pressure over its participation. The voluntary program allows unemployed people to work for major retailers without additional pay, though participants risk losing benefits if they withdraw.
HR’s critical role in shaping company culture post-M&A
HR directors must prioritize guiding organizational culture from the start of a merger or acquisition, as culture significantly impacts long-term deal success. Rather than imposing new values through top-down initiatives, effective cultural integration requires establishing the right processes and leadership behaviors that authentically demonstrate the combined organization’s vision and strategy.
Blog: Why is staff engagement in decline globally?
Global employee engagement has declined significantly across six major economies, according to recent Kenexa research. The data reveals engagement peaked in 2009-2010 before dropping sharply, likely due to unfulfilled employer reinvestment expectations following economic recovery. Leaders can reverse this trend by prioritizing work-life balance, developing better leadership skills, and investing in employee training opportunities.
Ask the Expert: When should we CRB-check our site engineers?
Site engineers need CRB checks if they work at schools or vulnerable-care facilities on a frequent (monthly) or intensive basis, even without direct child contact. Service partners’ employers are typically responsible for obtaining their own CRB clearance, though it’s best to clarify responsibility agreements upfront.
Tesco accused of “exploiting” workers in ‘free work’ row
Tesco blamed an IT error after a job advert offering only expenses and jobseekers’ allowance for a permanent night shift position sparked outrage on social media. The supermarket said the posting was meant to be for a government work experience scheme, not a paid role.
Could more effective workforce management replace redundancy?
Effective workforce management—including better monitoring of staff activity, absence management, and employee deployment—could save businesses millions in costs and help organizations avoid costly redundancies that result in lost skills and knowledge.
Analysis: SAP and SuccessFactors – A marriage made in heaven?
SAP’s $3.4 billion acquisition of SuccessFactors is now complete, raising questions about how the German enterprise software giant will integrate the Silicon Valley human capital management firm while maintaining its independent operations and innovation pace.
Blog: Fraud – Who do you think they are?
Hiring managers often fail to properly verify candidates’ qualifications and experience, making it easy for dishonest applicants to slip through. Thorough background checks, social media verification, well-prepared interview questions, and careful attention to body language are essential steps to protect your organization from fraud.
Dept of Health apologises for paying senior execs via limited companies
The Department of Health apologized for misleading Parliament about paying senior executives through limited companies, a tax avoidance arrangement affecting 25 identified cases. Internal documents reveal staff salaries were paid directly to shell companies, potentially reducing tax bills, with officials warning the practice may be widespread across government departments.
Network Rail’s travel time-based redundancy policy branded “unfair and arbitrary”
Unions have branded Network Rail’s 75-minute travel-time redundancy policy as “unfair and arbitrary,” claiming 800 staff from southeast England will be affected when the organization relocates to Milton Keynes in June. The policy, which Network Rail says promotes efficiency and employee well-being, could trigger legal action and has drawn criticism for threatening jobs during economic hardship.
