Blog: Facebook will never replace face-time
Despite the rise of social media, face-to-face communication remains irreplaceable in business and innovation. While technology transforms how we connect, the most successful organizations blend digital tools with in-person interaction, recognizing that genuine engagement requires both virtual and physical presence.
HMRC slammed for lack of strategy on £96m skills spend
The National Audit Office has criticized HM Revenue & Customs for spending £96.5 million annually on staff skills development without a formal strategy to guide spending or track where money goes. The audit found HMRC lacked adequate visibility into skills gaps and had insufficient workers with the right expertise in key areas.
High Court rules in Government’s favour on pension change
The High Court has ruled that the Government’s decision to link public sector pensions to the Consumer Prices Index instead of the Retail Price Index is lawful, despite a judicial review challenge from trade unions. The change, implemented in April, will reduce pension increases for millions of public sector workers and is expected to save the Government £1.8 billion annually.
Live blog: Business Cloud Summit 2011 #BCS11
Follow live coverage of the Business Cloud Summit 2011, the UK’s leading cloud computing event, on Monday 5 December starting at 9am. Track updates using #BCS11.
Asset-based pension contribution crackdown could put off large employers
New tax relief restrictions on asset-backed pension contributions introduced in the Autumn Statement are likely to discourage large employers from using these complex funding arrangements. The changes prevent companies from claiming double tax relief and are expected to save the government nearly half a billion pounds annually.
Negative attitudes towards disabled workers “more damaging than disability itself”
Workplace attitudes towards disabled people are more harmful than disability itself, a UK survey reveals. Nearly two-thirds of workers avoid disabled colleagues due to uncertainty, while many hold negative stereotypes. The study highlights widespread misconceptions about disabilities and gaps between employer support expectations and actual workplace accommodations.
Blog: Why there should be an end to end-of-year bonuses
End-of-year bonuses have become misused as compensation rather than true rewards, failing to motivate performance effectively. Leading organizations like Deloitte are shifting toward performance-based bonuses tied to individual behaviors and company values, plus year-round recognition to better engage employees.
250 employers win funding bid to offer degree-level apprenticeships
Two hundred fifty employers, including Unilever, Legal & General and Burberry, have won Government funding to offer degree-level apprenticeships for the first time. The £18.7 million in awards is expected to create around 19,000 new apprenticeship places over two years across sectors including construction, insurance and emergency care.
News Analysis: ‘Glimmers of hope’ for jobs market as incomes set to drop
Despite signs of hiring optimism with 54% of employers planning to hire permanently in the next three months, real household incomes are forecast to fall 7.4% over the next three years, creating a challenging economic landscape for workers and businesses alike.
Update: PM dismisses national day of action as “damp squib”
The Prime Minister dismissed a major national public sector strike as a “damp squib” despite widespread disruption to schools and services across the UK. The strike prompted controversy when TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson made inflammatory comments about strikers on the BBC, leading unions to call for his dismissal.
HRD Insight: Dan Grant on Dell’s ‘Connected Workplace’ scheme
Dell’s ‘Connected Workplace’ scheme enables flexible working arrangements focused on outputs rather than visibility, allowing staff autonomy over when and where they work. Introduced by UK HR director Dan Grant, the initiative has been adopted by 60% of Dell’s 2,200 UK employees across various working arrangements, supported by consistent policies and technology frameworks.
Blog: Are your hiring managers trained in how to interview?
Most hiring managers receive no formal training in interview techniques, psychology, or legal requirements, yet they make critical hiring decisions that impact both candidates and organizations. Poor interview quality leads to missed talent and negative candidate experiences, when structured training and proper questioning could significantly improve recruitment outcomes.
Appeal Court ruling on equal pay claims could open floodgates
A Court of Appeal ruling has cleared the way for equal pay claims to be heard in the High Court, potentially opening doors for thousands of workers in both public and private sectors. The decision means employees have up to six years to pursue compensation, rather than the standard six-month employment tribunal deadline.
Talent Spot: Ann Pickering, HR director at O2
Ann Pickering, HR director at O2, believes successful HR professionals must be business-focused first. Her pragmatic approach to HR combined with emphasis on employee engagement has helped O2 achieve consistent recognition as one of the UK’s best companies to work for.
What role does HR play in social media usage?
HR plays a critical role in shaping how organizations adopt and implement social media tools in the workplace. Research shows these technologies are most successful when HR departments are fully involved in their rollout and usage, helping bridge the gap between employees’ personal social media experience and workplace collaboration needs.
Staff engagement: Systems versus the human factor
Effective staff engagement relies on human connection and leadership principles, not just data systems. One successful company prioritized treating employees as friends and creating a collaborative workplace culture, demonstrating that personal relationships and management values often matter more than sophisticated HR analytics and measurement tools.
Round-up of Chancellor’s key Autumn Statement pronouncements
The Chancellor announced a 1% public sector pay cap for two years following a pay freeze, alongside plans to raise the state pension age to 67 by 2026. The Autumn Statement also revealed reduced economic growth forecasts and predicted significant public sector job losses totaling 850,000 by 2017.
Social media to revolutionise HR, says study
Social media technologies can transform HR, customer service, and product development by improving communication and collaboration while reducing travel costs and training time, according to an IBM study. The research shows these tools break down organizational communication barriers and provide real-time insights into customer trends and employee engagement.
Blog: A key engagement question: Would you recommend a friend to work here?
Whether employees would recommend their company to a friend is a critical engagement indicator. As organizations compete to attract talent in a recovering economy with all-time-low engagement levels, positive workplace culture and experiences directly influence employer branding and the ability to recruit quality candidates.
The value of employee pension education
Employee pension education is crucial as auto-enrolment begins, with millions likely to opt out without proper HR communication. HR departments must address financial barriers, explain contribution phasing, and provide tailored financial education to help employees understand retirement savings benefits.
