EU proposals could “kill off” workplace pensions
Proposed new European Union regulations could “kill off” already struggling occupational pension schemes in the UK as employers would be forced to inject up to £500 billion into them during difficult economic times. The European Commission is currently evaluating whether to introduce new rules that would require insurance companies and pension funds to increase their […]
HR exec sues for constructive dismissal over LinkedIn profile
An HR executive is believed to be the first person in the UK to have sued for constructive dismissal following a dispute with bosses over his profile on professional networking site, LinkedIn. John Flexman has brought a claim for hundreds of thousands of pounds against gas exploration firm, BG Group, where he earned £68,000 per […]
Blog: Workplace pension changes in the pipeline….
Pensionssszzzzzzz…. Not the most exciting topic, but certainly one of the most current, given the panic over whether we will all be able to afford to retire in the future. (Assuming of course that we have jobs to retire from!) To address the problem, new pension laws are coming into place this year that […]
Communication key to morale in face of ongoing pay restraint, advises CIPD
With 2012 set to be marked by constrained and frozen pay, employers must find more effective ways to communicate the rationale behind their decisions to staff in order to keep them motivated, an HR body has warned. According to a survey among 3,056 working adults across all sectors undertaken by the Chartered Institute of Personnel […]
Survey: The impact of flexible employee benefits
Salary sacrifice arrangements, although controversial are increasingly being used – and not just by large companies – to create flexible employee remuneration packages. But with HM Revenue & Custom’s recent crackdown on such schemes, there is now a cloud hanging over them. As a result, the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals has introduced a […]
Credit union membership opened up for staff and employers
Changes to the legislation surrounding credit unions will open up membership to employers and geographically-dispersed workers for the first time, enabling them to compete more effectively with banks. The news came to light as a survey published by a housing charity, Shelter, revealed that nearly one million Britons had taken out an emergency ‘payday’ loan […]
Talent Spot: Helene Speight, head of HR at Endava
“My experience on ‘The Apprentice’ didn’t teach me anything about business, but it did teach me about the media and it also taught me a lot about myself,” says Helene Speight, group head of talent management at nearshore IT outsourcing services provider, Endava. And having self-awareness and an understanding of one’s own strengths and weaknesses […]
SME manufacturing initiative to create 23,000 jobs, claims Government
The Coalition Government claims that a new version of an initiative intended to secure the future of England’s beleaguered small and medium-sized manufacturers will create 23,000 new jobs and safeguard a further 50,000. Previously operating on a regional basis and run by the now disbanded Regional Development Agencies, the Manufacturing Advisory Service will operate nationally […]
HMRC probes premier league footballers over perks
HM Revenue & Customs is targeting premier league footballers over the undeclared perks that they allegedly receive from their clubs. The High Net Worth Unit has sent questionnaires to leading clubs asking for information on the benefits provided to their employees such as travel and entertainment expenses, company cars, health insurance and childcare. Information provided […]
Trends 2012: Technology ‘consumerisation’ in the workplace
The office parties are over, the leftovers are dealt with and everyone’s had a much-needed break. Before the detail of the daily grind dispels any notions of strategic thought, however, the beginning of the year offers a chance to consider what is changing in the workplace, what new opportunities are presenting themselves and, indeed, what […]
Public sector disillusion widespread, warns recruiter
Public sector employees are currently so disillusioned that just over half of those looking for work would be prepared to sacrifice a better pension for perceived higher job security in the private sector. These are the findings of an online poll among 1,380 public and private sector employees and 955 employers undertaken by recruitment firm […]
Blog: Can HR devise rules that stimulate not stifle innovation?
When you look at their end products, service and reputation, you can’t help but associate words like innovation and creativity with the US technology firm, Apple. Having revolutionised mobile phone technology, the business has transformed the way we communicate and managed to wrap all kinds of inventions and creations into one handheld device. So […]
Private sector pensions hit by “seismic collapse”
The “seismic collapse” of private sector pension schemes means that the gulf with the public sector is only set to grow in today’s tough economic climate, a study has warned. A survey among 468 employers undertaken by the Association of Consulting Actuaries revealed that nine out of 10 private sector defined benefit schemes are now […]
Fit notes more than double days lost to sickness absence
Workers who obtained a fit note from their GPs were off work for more than twice as long as those who failed to follow procedure, a study has revealed. An analysis of 22,086 employee records by absence management services provider, FirstCare, revealed that personnel requesting a fit note were absent from work for an average […]
Trends 2012: Talent management
It’s been difficult for the HR industry to keep pace with the multitude of employment law changes this year – a situation compounded by the turbulent economic situation in Europe. The UK Government’s reference to ”six years of austerity” was no empty threat and businesses are continuing to make redundancies, undertake restructuring and redeploy staff […]
Analysis: Tribunal reform will lead to more out-of-court settlements, admits Minister
Coalition Government measures to reduce the rising number of tribunal cases will lead to more employers having to pay lump sums to settle claims out-of-court, the Employment Minister has admitted. A key element of the Government’s proposed changes to the employment tribunal system is to encourage workplace mediation when a dispute arises between employers and […]
Update: Royal Mail Christmas temps threaten walk-out
Seasonal temp staff at a Royal Mail sorting office in Birmingham are threatening a second walk-out after delays in paying their wages. According to the BBC, thirty four workers at the postal service’s Newtown depot already walked out on Monday over unpaid or incorrect wage payments as did personnel in Essex. Similar action was taken […]
Blog: Don’t big bosses need training sometimes too?
Executive level development can be a bit of a touchy topic in some UK businesses – you can see the areas that need polishing but no one is prepared to suggest they get the duster out! At least that’s the case some of the time. In an alternative scenario the suggested development need is highlighted […]
Update: High Court bid to stop tube drivers’ strike on Boxing Day
The High Court will hear a legal bid to stop tube drivers from walking out for 24 hours on Boxing Day in a row over pay later today. London Underground claims that only 42% of Aslef ‘s members – the largest tube driver union – voted to go take industrial action and so it is […]
Update: Ministers claim pensions deal – even as unions pull out
Agreement in principle to make big changes to public sector pensions has been reached with a majority of trade unions, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury has told Parliament. After 10 months of negotiations and following the UK’s largest industrial dispute in a generation, Danny Alexander said that 26 out of the 28 negotiating unions […]