SWiTch HR shared service to save councils £2.2m in two years
The SWiTch HR shared service, led by Greater Manchester councils Trafford, Stockport and Wigan, will manage payroll and HR records for over 30,000 employees and generate £2.2 million in efficiency savings over two years. The initiative has already saved £260,000 through joint procurement and uses Midland HR’s iTrent system to provide scalable services other authorities can adopt.
Self-efficacy: Limiting the damage of redundancy
Job redundancy often triggers a damaging loss of confidence in workers’ ability to find new employment. Self-efficacy—the belief that you can overcome obstacles—plays a crucial role in job search success, and research links it to resilience, performance, and burnout rates. Building self-efficacy requires gradual confidence-building through action, observation, and social support rather than positive thinking alone.
Blog: Quiet optimism for 2012 HR budgets
Despite economic uncertainty, HR professionals show cautious optimism for 2012 budgets. A survey of 70 mid-to-senior HR leaders reveals half expect budgets to remain flat or increase, with only a third anticipating modest cuts, suggesting companies value talent investment.
Only a third of employers handle staff mental health issues well
Only a third of UK employers effectively support employees experiencing mental health issues, according to a CIPD survey of over 2,000 workers. One in five felt their organization failed to provide adequate support, while 31% were unaware of available resources, highlighting poor workplace communication about mental health.
Public sector staff must disclose private emails under FoI law
Public sector employees must disclose private emails and messages to their employer if they contain official business information, according to new Freedom of Information guidance. The Information Commissioner’s Office clarified that FoI laws cover communications “recorded in any form,” including texts and personal email accounts, though such searches should remain rare.
CEO Insight: Stinkyink.com’s John Sollars on recruiting for start-ups
John Sollars, founder of Stinkyink.com, shares essential startup recruiting strategies including when to hire, using agency staff versus permanent employees, outsourcing payroll, and the critical importance of employment contracts to protect both employer and employee.
Salesforce.com follows SAP into Cloud HCM market
Salesforce.com acquired Toronto-based HCM startup Rypple, following SAP’s SuccessFactors purchase. The move signals major software companies are expanding into human resources management, offering social-enabled tools for employee performance coaching and feedback.
Gamification: How to play ball with staff engagement
Gamification applies gaming techniques to workplace environments to boost employee engagement and performance. By incorporating game mechanics like goals, rewards, and competition, organizations can increase involvement and create more engaging work experiences that tap into the psychological principles proven effective in video games.
Blog: Doing the festive season on a shoestring
Even during economic downturns, employers can maintain workplace morale through honest communication and thoughtful low-cost gestures. Small touches like refreshments, decorations, and token gifts help employees feel valued while respecting budget constraints and allow Secret Santa participants to opt out without pressure.
Half of UK managers expect redundancies in 2012
Nearly half of UK managers surveyed expect their organizations to cut jobs in 2012, with over a third worried about their own employment security. The Chartered Management Institute study of 800 bosses found only 8% optimistic about the economy, citing public finances and eurozone instability as key concerns.
Update: Lloyds boss to return in January with reduced workload
Lloyds Banking Group’s chief executive Antonio Horta-Osorio will return to work in January after stress-related sick leave, with reduced management responsibilities designed to ease his workload and strengthen senior management accountability.
Blog: New Year memo to self – boost employee health and wellbeing
As the New Year approaches, businesses face an opportunity to explicitly commit to employee health and wellbeing as a strategic priority. By creating a working environment that proactively removes health-damaging factors and actively supports physical and mental wellbeing, companies can improve both employee satisfaction and business performance. A genuine commitment to employee health signals that the organization values its people and recognizes that thriving employees drive business success.
Health and wellbeing programmes: Engagement is key
Employee wellbeing programmes boost productivity and corporate performance, but success depends on strong staff engagement. HR leaders must carefully plan, design, and communicate these initiatives using multiple channels and incentives to encourage participation.
Unemployment so bad ‘even Santa’s elves feel insecure’
UK unemployment jumped to 2.64 million in the three months to October, the highest since 1994, with youth joblessness reaching 22%. Experts warn the job market will worsen as private sector growth stalls and real wages fall behind inflation.
Blog: The changing role of reservists in the workplace
The Ministry of Defence is seeking employer input on proposed changes to the Reserve Forces through SaBRE’s online survey. The research examines how employers can better support reservists balancing military and civilian roles, including new legislation to prevent discrimination and increased use of civilian skills in UK operations.
Talent Spot: Emma Blaney, group HR director at Informa
Emma Blaney rose from HR assistant at David Lloyd Leisure to group HR director at Informa, where she coordinates human resources activities worldwide. Her career demonstrates how diverse HR experience and a commitment to companies that value employees can lead to senior leadership positions.
Busiest expenses day of the year piles pressure on accounts staff
Finance teams faced a 139% surge in expense claims on the year’s busiest expenses day, as staff rushed to submit last-minute reimbursements before the Christmas break and year-end accounting deadline.
The secrets to HR outsourcing success
HR outsourcing can boost efficiency and reduce costs, but success requires clear planning. Directors should understand their true motivations, calculate hidden costs carefully, and develop a comprehensive business plan before partnering with external providers.
CIPD Event Blog: Getting more social
The CIPD Social Media in HR conference brought together HR professionals to explore social media’s role in business. Speakers emphasized that organizations must adapt to social media or risk being left behind, with insights on building employer brands, encouraging experimentation, and moving beyond restrictive policies.
Case Study: Rentokil Initial introduces “cohesion” by integrating HR processes
Rentokil Initial integrated its HR processes using Workday’s cloud-based software to standardize operations across 1,000 branches in 58 countries. The pest control and cleaning company replaced multiple payroll systems and manual processes with automated workflows, enabling better reporting and efficiency without expanding its HR team.
