HRD Summit: ‘HR must hive off strategic activities to be truly effective’
HR must separate strategic activities from operational tasks to gain executive influence, says business professor Ed Lawler. He recommends creating a dedicated organizational effectiveness function reporting to the CEO, while operational HR reports to the COO, allowing HR to focus on talent management, analytics, and business alignment rather than administrative demands.
Legal Insight: Coulson and the compromise agreement issue
The News of the World’s refusal to fund Andy Coulson’s legal defense under a compromise agreement clause raises questions about employer obligations to former executives facing criminal proceedings. Coulson’s separation agreement included provisions for the newspaper to pay his reasonable professional costs arising from his former role as editor, but NOTW stopped funding his legal fees after his arrest in the phone-hacking scandal.
Blog: Managing change during an office move
Successful office moves require careful change management to support staff through the transition. HR should maintain clear communication, involve employees in the process, and address concerns to maintain morale and productivity during relocation.
Trends 2012: Modern life skills
HR professionals face mounting challenges from stress-related illness and mental health problems that impact employee productivity and business success. Organizations that proactively support their workforce with modern life skills—abilities for adaptive and positive behavior—can create sustainable working environments where employees thrive despite increasing workplace demands.
Fujitsu workers agree to end long-running dispute
Unite union members have ended a long-running dispute with Fujitsu over pensions, pay, and overtime. The agreement includes improved pension protections, backdated pay increases for Manchester staff, and protection against retaliation for workers involved in industrial action.
Survey reveals UK employers of choice
Google, Apple, and John Lewis are perceived as the UK’s best employers, according to a YouGov survey. A positive working environment emerged as the most important factor (82%) when evaluating employer quality, followed by competitive pay and benefits (81%).
Regional mediation pilots for SMEs unveiled
Two regional mediation pilot projects have launched in Cambridge and Manchester to help small-to-medium-sized companies resolve workplace disputes before reaching employment tribunal. Each network will train 24 SMEs in informal mediation techniques, aiming to reduce tribunal claims and associated costs for employers and taxpayers.
Blog: Is there a place for QR codes in recruitment?
QR codes offer recruiters an innovative way to bridge digital and physical recruitment channels, from enhancing CVs to streamlining applications at career fairs. These trackable tools can reach tech-savvy candidates, particularly graduates aged 18-34, while providing valuable campaign analytics.
Is homophobia still an issue in the workplace?
Despite legal protections since 2003, homophobia remains a workplace issue in the UK. While major employers compete to attract LGBT talent and public support for anti-discrimination laws is strong, prejudice persists in some sectors despite significant legal and social progress.
Microsoft backs same-sex marriage to help it compete for talent
Microsoft joined five other major companies in supporting Washington State legislation to legalize same-sex marriage, arguing that marriage equality is essential for competing for talent and that discrimination undermines business competitiveness.
Three out of five HR professionals happy in their job
Nearly three out of five HR professionals report job satisfaction, with only 5% disliking their work. However, IT problems like crashing computers and printers frustrate them more than long working hours, followed by irritating colleagues and office disruptions like broken coffee machines.
Trends 2012: Employment law
Key employment law changes are coming in 2012, including increased tribunal compensation limits, extended parental leave from three to four months, and a longer qualifying period for unfair dismissal rising from one to two years. Additional changes involve higher statutory sick pay rates, new apprenticeship structures, and pensions auto-enrolment requirements for large employers.
Analysis: What is ‘fair’? Co-operatives, bonuses and the living wage issue
The UK government introduced a Co-operatives Bill to remove barriers to employee-owned businesses, aiming to create a fairer economy. However, the proposal contrasts sharply with reports of excessive executive bonuses in banking and poverty wages in major supermarket chains.
Blog: Forget employee surveys – Social ‘sentiment’ is where it’s at
Social media sentiment analysis offers real-time insights into employee engagement and organizational culture, potentially rivaling traditional employee surveys. By monitoring authentic social conversations, companies can access genuine employee perspectives at scale, similar to how hedge funds use Twitter sentiment to predict market trends.
Ask the Expert: Can we cut mileage rates without staff agreement?
Employees may have legal grounds to resist a mileage rate cut if higher rates were consistently paid for 18 months, potentially creating an implied contractual term. Any contract change requires mutual agreement, and employees can refuse the reduction or claim constructive dismissal if forced to accept substantially worse terms.
Work experience scheme launched to help autistic adults get jobs
The National Autistic Society’s recruitment service is launching a 28-week employment preparation scheme to help autistic adults enter the workforce. Despite 85% of autistic adults being willing and able to work, only 15% are currently employed full-time due to lack of autism-specific training and support. The pilot program aims to get participants into paid work through workshops, work experience placements, and job search assistance.
The Bribery Act: Goodbye to the gravy train
The UK Bribery Act 2010 requires organizations to implement robust controls over corporate entertainment and hospitality expenses to prevent corrupt practices. Companies must rigorously record all employee entertainment activities, including attendees and details, and establish automated systems to monitor spending patterns and flag potentially non-compliant activity.
PC to appeal dismissal for having sex on the job
A police constable dismissed for gross misconduct after an 18-month investigation found he had sex with five women while on duty plans to appeal. Troy Van-Eda was sacked from Greater Manchester Police following allegations he abused his position, including sexual encounters at a police station.
Heads of flagship government apprenticeship schemes quit
Leaders of two major government apprenticeship schemes have resigned simultaneously, with the head of the Skills Funding Agency citing completion of his task and the National Apprenticeship Service chief seeking more family time. The departures come amid investigations into fund misuse and questions about apprenticeship quality.
Blog: Social media and the workforce – Can you hear me now?
Social media has become a critical force in business and workforce engagement, as demonstrated by major companies like Netflix and Verizon that were forced to reverse decisions after public backlash. Organizations can no longer ignore social media’s role in internal communications, employee engagement, and corporate culture, as employees will engage with these platforms regardless of company control.
