London 2012: Civil servants ordered to work from home during Olympics
UK civil servants will work from home for seven weeks during the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics to reduce pressure on London’s public transport. The government is conducting trial runs to ensure remote working infrastructure can handle the shift for up to three million extra daily journeys expected during the Games.
CIPD and CfA to offer Higher Apprenticeship in HR management
CIPD and CfA have secured nearly £800,000 in government funding to jointly develop a national Higher Apprenticeship in HR Management, aiming to create 725 places by 2016. The program offers a new career progression route for people of all ages pursuing HR or general business careers, positioning HR as a strategic discipline beyond administrative roles.
Analysis: Reed loses £158m ‘salary sacrifice’ case
Reed Group lost a tribunal appeal against HMRC’s decision to revoke a salary sacrifice expenses dispensation for temporary workers, facing a potential £158m tax bill. The recruitment agency is seeking judicial review, arguing the case hinges on the employment status of around 500,000 workers who participated in the scheme between 1998-2006.
Trends 2012: Rewards
Two-thirds of UK private sector organizations plan to change their reward strategy in 2012, with employee engagement and alignment to business strategy as top priorities, signaling a shift from cost-focused approaches toward strategic talent management.
Blog: Taking a leaf out of marketing’s magic book of metrics
Brands built on strong ideals achieve triple the growth of competitors, according to research by Jim Stengel. The analysis reveals that companies deepening customer relationships through defined higher-order benefits outperform financially, offering lessons for HR departments seeking employee engagement strategies.
Employers adopt ‘wait-and-see’ approach to hiring
Employers are taking a cautious “wait-and-see” approach to hiring, with permanent staff hiring expectations declining in January. Graduate vacancies are predicted to fall 1.2%, though some sectors still anticipate skills shortages in professional, healthcare, and education roles.
Ask the Expert: Is there a minimum hours requirement for lodging a tribunal claim?
There is no minimum hours requirement for Employment Tribunal claims. Most statutory employment rights apply regardless of hours worked, though unfair dismissal claims require one year’s continuous service. Your four-year employee would be eligible to claim if dismissed, so follow proper disciplinary procedures.
Update: Redknapp allegedly had sole control of Monaco bank account
Harry Redknapp held sole control of a Monaco bank account called “Rosie 47,” into which former Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric allegedly paid £189,000, Southwark Crown Court heard. Both men face charges of tax evasion related to the undeclared payments.
The Costa Concordia disaster: A personality problem?
Captain Francesco Schettino’s apparent panic and failure to effectively lead during the Costa Concordia disaster raises questions about personality factors in crisis management. The incident contrasts sharply with Captain Chesley Sullenberger’s composed response during the “Miracle on the Hudson,” highlighting how airlines rigorously screen pilot personalities for stress management, teamwork, and leadership abilities.
Clegg calls for urgent action in upping income tax thresholds
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has called for urgent action to raise the income tax threshold to £10,000 annually, while introducing additional taxes on high earners to fund the cut. He argued that pressure on family finances is reaching critical levels as wages have stagnated for ordinary workers while the wealthy have seen significant salary growth.
Blog: Cultivating a success culture
A success culture doesn’t happen by accident—it requires deliberate attention, planning, and nurturing. Leaders must understand how organizational culture shapes performance and learn to cultivate it intentionally, just like farmers cultivate crops, to gain a competitive edge.
Shift over last year in way HR viewed, reveals survey
A survey of HR directors reveals that two-thirds believe their role has shifted significantly over the past year, with 83% moving from transactional support to becoming strategic business partners. However, employment prospects remain mixed, with only 21% of HR leaders planning to increase headcount in the first half of 2012.
HRD Summit: ‘HR’s biggest failure has been an over-focus on process’
HR leaders have over-focused on processes with little evidence they work, prioritizing procedures over outcomes. Industry experts argue competency frameworks and talent management tools like nine-box grids don’t reliably predict performance, and organizations must shift toward enabling talent to seize opportunities rather than predicting them.
EU data protection law proposals to make “huge demands” on HR
The European Commission proposes new data protection rules requiring companies to appoint data protection officers, report breaches immediately, and face fines up to 2% of global turnover for non-compliance. The changes would give users easier access to personal data and a “right to be forgotten,” though critics warn of significant compliance costs and HR demands for businesses.
Vince Cable unveils plans to curb excessive executive pay
Business Secretary Vince Cable has proposed government measures to curb excessive executive pay, including requiring employers to publish individual pay figures and giving shareholders binding votes on executive compensation packages worth over one year’s salary.
Blog: ReServe – A new way of working for the over-55s
ReServe is a nonprofit organization connecting skilled professionals over 55 with meaningful, paid part-time work in schools, hospitals, and nonprofits. Rather than traditional volunteering, ReServe positions are valued jobs that allow older workers to apply existing expertise or develop new skills while earning modest wages.
HRD Summit: The art of becoming a ‘leader’ rather than a ‘manager’
HR directors must shift from a management approach focused on control to true leadership that inspires and empowers people. According to keynote speaker Penny Ferguson, changing communication patterns—from “I” statements to asking questions—helps leaders build accountability and unlock employees’ potential.
Book Review: Executive coaching – A psychodynamic approach by Catherine Sandler
Catherine Sandler’s “Executive Coaching: A Psychodynamic Approach” applies psychological theory to senior management coaching, using case studies to demonstrate how understanding personality, values, and underlying emotional pressures enables deeper behavioral change. While thought-provoking, the book presents more severe workplace issues than typically encountered in practice.
Talent Spot: Dan Grant, head of HR at Dell UK
Dan Grant, head of HR at Dell UK, believes success comes from honesty and delivering on commitments. He has spearheaded a major flexible working initiative called the Connected Workplace, which has been adopted by 60% of the UK workforce.
HRD Summit: BT develops own internal Olympics legacy
BT is developing a lasting legacy from its Olympics sponsorship through staff redeployment initiatives and community programs. The telco is introducing a ‘Career-wise’ scheme with Skills Passports and job placement support for project workers, plus a community program enabling employees to vote on workplace improvements like job clubs and carer spaces.
