HMRC staff vote for strike action over call centre privatisation plans
HMRC staff have voted overwhelmingly for strike action against plans to privatise two contact centres handling tax credits queries from January. The Public and Commercial Services Union, representing 21,000 employees, secured 70% support for walkouts over privatisation concerns and job losses.
Should HR be regulated?
The UK currently lacks a regulatory body to oversee HR departments, creating accountability gaps despite HR’s critical role in ensuring workplace compliance. Experts argue that establishing formal regulation could improve HR credibility and ensure consistent adoption of robust processes across organizations.
Blog: How Google will learn to love your career website
A well-optimized corporate career website can rank higher than job boards on Google by publishing original content like vacancies, testimonials, and employee stories. Google favors original content over aggregated listings, and strategic linking of this content signals authority and improves search rankings for recruitment pages.
Cable denies creating climate of fear with employment law shakeup
Business Secretary Vince Cable denies that employment law reforms will create workplace fear, despite proposals to reduce redundancy consultation periods and introduce tribunal fees. Cable claims the changes aim to remove barriers to business growth while maintaining fairness to workers.
‘Protected conversations’ will create business “nightmare”
Coalition Government proposals to introduce ‘protected conversations’ could create confusion and legal disputes for businesses, employment experts have warned. The plans would allow employers to discuss poor performance and retirement with staff without fear of tribunal claims, but critics argue the changes lack clarity and could increase red tape rather than reduce it.
Talent Spot: Damian Hughes, HR author, speaker and consultant
Damian Hughes is an HR author, speaker, and consultant who founded Liquid Thinker after extensive careers as a footballer, Manchester United coach, sports psychologist, and HR director at Unilever. Recently awarded a professorship by Manchester Metropolitan University, Hughes transformed his early impostor syndrome into rapid career advancement and published works on realizing personal and professional ambitions.
Blog: Four tips to help staff keep calm in the face of change
Help staff manage change-related stress with four practical techniques: mindful breathing, identifying stability zones, focusing on areas you can control, and taking small steps toward a positive future. These simple habits build resilience during organizational transitions.
“Stratospheric” executive pay rises are ‘damaging British business’
Executive pay at FTSE companies has surged over 4,000% in 30 years while average worker wages grew only threefold, according to the High Pay Commission. The report warns this widening inequality is damaging business trust and productivity, and calls for reforms including pay transparency and employee representation on compensation committees.
HR vacancies rise, but salaries remain flat
HR job vacancies are increasing, particularly for global and public sector roles, though salaries remain largely flat according to recruitment data. Professionals with international experience, especially in Asia Pacific and Africa, command higher pay, while demand in the NHS and government sectors grows for experienced HR practitioners.
HRD Insight: HSS’ John Hardman on moving beyond HR theory
John Hardman of HSS argues that successful HR professionals must balance textbook knowledge with practical experience, gut instinct, and deep understanding of both business and people. Drawing from roles at NatWest, Pfizer, and Phones4U, he advocates adapting HR approaches to fit different organizational cultures while maintaining legal compliance and fairness.
Regional Health Authority goes social to support new NHS commissioning groups
South East Coast Strategic Health Authority launched a virtual learning environment to help new clinical commissioning groups share experiences and expertise as the NHS restructures. The Learning Network provides collaborative support to GP practices taking on health care budgets from April 2013.
HMRC to change year-end PAYE system
HMRC is replacing its annual PAYE system with Real Time Information (RTI), which transmits tax and deduction data monthly as employees are paid. The change, beginning with a pilot in April 2012, eliminates year-end forms P35 and P14, reducing penalties for employers with minor PAYE errors.
Blog: Why you should stop motivating staff
Research shows demotivators have stronger impact than motivators on employee performance. Rather than focusing on motivation, effective leaders eliminate key demotivators like unclear communication, lack of purpose, and absence of progress recognition to maintain workforce engagement and productivity.
Government minister threatens strike law changes
A Government minister has warned that strike laws could face reform if public sector workers proceed with planned industrial action, citing concerns about economic disruption. The Coalition Cabinet Office Minister suggested requiring a 40% minimum turnout in strike ballots, a proposal already backed by the CBI employers’ lobby group.
Medical panel should sign off long-term sick, report recommends
An independent medical panel should decide long-term sick leave decisions instead of GPs, according to a new report. The recommendations aim to reduce the £13 billion annual cost of sickness absence by getting workers back to work faster, with an estimated 20% return-to-work rate.
Ask the Expert: Can I change the job offer for a pregnant candidate?
Changing a job offer due to pregnancy constitutes discrimination under the Equality Act 2010. Instead, offer the original terms while separately proposing alternatives if she has concerns, and conduct a workplace risk assessment to ensure her safety during pregnancy.
Blog: The value of early intervention
Early intervention in workplace conflicts can prevent team divisions and dysfunction. When a new manager implements changes without a clear communication plan, resistance from established staff may escalate unless addressed promptly through mediation and feedback.
Employee vetting in recruitment – a must or a nice-to-have?
Employee vetting reduces fraud and theft risks, with dishonest workers stealing significantly more than shoplifters. However, thieves often work part-time and in management roles, making them hard to identify. Legal requirements and corporate responsibility make pre-employment checks increasingly essential across most industries.
“Incredibly complicated” tax changes to salary sacrifice schemes due next year
From January 2012, employers offering salary sacrifice schemes must navigate complex new VAT rules, including paying VAT on administration fees for childcare vouchers and other employee benefits, requiring complicated calculations to determine tax obligations.
Employers failing to make staff contingency plans due to Olympics antipathy
Most UK employers are unprepared for the London Olympics, with three-quarters skeptical the Games will boost their business. Few have implemented contingency plans for staffing levels or alternative transport arrangements during the event.
