Legal Insight: Coulson and the compromise agreement issue
The News of the World debacle and the subsequent Leveson Inquiry have raised all manner of issues about all manner of things. But one matter that has not been talked about much so far is the issue of compromise agreements. If you have ever dealt with a compromise agreement in relation to an employee, […]
Blog: Managing change during an office move
Moving office doesn’t happen every day. In fact, it’s a big milestone in the life of a business and a change in working environment can bring about many benefits. It presents an ideal opportunity to embrace a new corporate image, implement new processes and team restructuring; all of which can have a positive impact on staff […]
Trends 2012: Modern life skills
The demands and challenges that HR professionals face at the moment are becoming increasingly complex. Stress-related illness and mental health problems have a huge impact on staff morale, not to mention their effect on productivity and, therefore, business success. The cost of absenteeism is huge and the issues surrounding presenteeism are both time-consuming and […]
Fujitsu workers agree to end long-running dispute
A long-running dispute over pensions, pay and overtime between Unite and Fujitsu has ended after union members accepted a new offer from the IT services supplier. The UK’s largest union called off its industrial action on Friday, 20 January, after members welcomed the agreement, ending a long running dispute that has affected sites in Crewe […]
Survey reveals UK employers of choice
Google, Apple and John Lewis are perceived to be the best three employers in the UK, with the ability to create a good working environment considered the key criteria in desirability terms. According to a survey among 2,133 adults undertaken by pollster YouGov on behalf of workplace services provider, Croner, Google was nominated 81 time, […]
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 […]
