News Analysis: The HCM battle begins – Will HRDs finally get technology they like using?
SAP’s $3.4 billion acquisition of SuccessFactors signals a major shift in human capital management software, as cloud-based SaaS solutions challenge traditional on-premise vendors. The move reflects growing demand for more user-friendly HR technology as Oracle and SAP compete for HR directors’ attention in an increasingly competitive market.
Legal Insight: Surviving the Christmas party
Employers face significant legal liability during Christmas parties, where alcohol-fueled misconduct by staff can constitute harassment or discrimination “in the course of employment.” Courts interpret this broadly to include organized social events, and employers may also be liable for third-party harassment if they fail to address complaints appropriately.
More private sector collaboration will lead to brain drain, warn public sector bosses
Public sector leaders warn that increased private sector collaboration risks brain drain and staff morale damage. A new study found that while such partnerships are expected to double over three years, nearly half of public sector bosses doubt they’ll deliver value for money and fear quality service losses.
Landmark holiday ruling saves employers of atypical workers from “dramatic” impacts
The Supreme Court has ruled that employees with non-standard work patterns must take annual leave during downtime periods rather than working time. The decision in Russell v Transocean affects employers across multiple industries, including oil and gas, education, and other sectors employing atypical workers, and avoids potentially dramatic operational impacts.
Blog: Recruit now – Why December is the new January
Recruit candidates in December rather than waiting until January to gain competitive advantage. With 90% of qualified candidates being passive job seekers and increasing activity on social media platforms, starting your hiring campaign early lets you secure top talent before competitors intensify their recruitment efforts in the new year.
Pressure rises on banks for more pay transparency
UK banks could be forced to disclose pay packages of their eight highest-paid executives under new government proposals aimed at tackling excessive bonuses in the financial sector. The rules would apply to institutions with assets over £15 million and take effect in 2012.
Talent Spot: Andrew Powell, COO of Colt Technology Services
Andrew Powell joined Colt Technology Services on a six-week contract in 2006 and became chief operating officer after holding five senior roles within the company. He transformed HR from a reactive department into a strategic business partner during Colt’s pan-European restructuring from 2009 to 2011.
Book Review: Future minds by Richard Watson
Richard Watson’s “Future Minds” examines how the digital age affects our cognitive abilities and social skills. This well-researched book argues that while screenagers excel at IQ tests, they struggle with basic literacy and numeracy, and that excessive screen time harms deep thinking and empathy. Watson advocates for balanced technology use rather than wholesale adoption or rejection.
Two out of five employers plan to axe Christmas party
Two out of five employers are canceling their Christmas party this year, with half still not informing staff. Those keeping celebrations plan scaled-back events due to budget constraints and recent redundancies.
Police officers left “directionless” during riots due to equipment failure
Equipment failures and Airwave digital radio network problems left police officers “directionless” during summer riots, a leaked Police Federation report reveals. Communication breakdowns caused officers to arrive at locations after rioters had moved on, hindering the police response across the country.
Employers drag feet in evaluating cost impact of pension auto-enrolment
Most large employers and SMEs haven’t evaluated pension auto-enrolment costs ahead of the October 2012 rollout, a CIPD survey finds. Among those who have, many expect lower wage growth, reduced hiring, or less generous schemes in response to the new requirements.
Blog: The golden thread – aligning HR and business strategy
HR strategy must align with business objectives to create real organizational value, not function as an afterthought. By connecting training, reward systems, and leadership practices directly to strategic goals, companies can ensure the “golden thread” runs through all business decisions and drives measurable success.
HRD Insight: Jack Morton’s Fiona Lawlor on sustainable engagement
Genuine employee engagement requires embedding connection into corporate culture rather than relying on one-off programs. According to Jack Morton’s Fiona Lawlor, sustainable engagement demands understanding employee satisfaction and alignment with company vision, while ensuring staff understand and live the brand’s significance daily.
Business Cloud Summit: Cloud = the end of tech talk for HR
Cloud computing simplifies HR technology discussions by removing complexity around infrastructure needs, allowing HR and business teams to focus on value-added capabilities like social networks. However, cloud adoption requires HR departments to adapt to shared service limitations and maintain strong collaboration with IT on change management practices.
Business Cloud Summit: ‘Agree entry and exit strategies upfront to avoid lock-in’
Cloud vendors often lock customers into long-term contracts despite promises of flexible pricing models. Industry leaders recommend negotiating clear entry and exit strategies upfront and keeping alternative vendors available to maintain competitive pressure and avoid vendor lock-in.
Blog: The serious issue of recruitment fraud
Recruitment fraud schemes use fake corporate websites and spoofed job applications to steal personal information from unsuspecting job seekers, often targeting overseas workers seeking visa sponsorship. Criminal gangs impersonate well-known companies, collect sensitive data, and demand money under false pretenses, causing significant financial and reputational damage.
Ask the Expert: How do I ensure that shift workers get the right holiday?
Shift workers with irregular schedules are entitled to 5.6 weeks’ annual leave under UK law, calculated based on their average working hours. A proportional reduction approach may not comply with regulations, so employers should calculate entitlement carefully based on actual shift patterns.
Making Christmas incentives magic
Choosing the right Christmas incentive for employees requires balancing diverse preferences. Popular options include hampers, gift vouchers, and social events, though effectiveness depends on matching rewards to your workforce’s values and personalities. Research shows non-monetary benefits and genuine appreciation often motivate better than cash alone.
SAP’s $3.4bn SuccessFactors’ takeover to change HCM cloud market forever
SAP acquired cloud HCM provider SuccessFactors for $3.4 billion, significantly expanding its presence in the competitive human capital management market. The deal, a 52% premium on SuccessFactors’ closing share price, positions SAP as a major cloud HCM leader alongside competitors like Workday and Oracle.
Finding and keeping disabled workers
Employers can tap into a significant pool of talent by hiring disabled workers, who are equally productive, take less sick leave, and stay longer with employers. The business case is strong: reasonable workplace adaptations cost around £184 per person, while retaining disabled employees saves costly retraining and potential compensation claims.
