Half of public sector workers fail to recommend it as career choice
Nearly half of public sector workers would not recommend the sector as a career choice, with dissatisfaction particularly high in central and local government. The study of over 1,000 staff attributed the negative sentiment to cost-cutting measures and job losses, with morale and motivation at concerning levels.
E-learning charity goes into administration due to government cuts
Learning and Skills Network, a 25-year-old e-learning charity, has entered administration after government funding cuts caused its income to halve from £27.5 million to £13 million. The organization’s pension liabilities also increased significantly, contributing to its financial difficulties.
Blog: Three lessons for measuring HR success
Discover three key lessons for measuring HR success: align metrics with CEO and CFO priorities, use data to prove HR’s strategic value, and measure the right indicators like retention and employee engagement rather than satisfaction metrics.
Seven secrets to staff engagement
Research shows that pay ranks fourth in employee priorities, far behind recognition, exciting work, job security, and other factors. Organizations that provided staff with what they truly desired saw engagement levels 117% higher and operational performance 64% better.
Mediation: Part Four – How to deal with the outcome
Workplace mediation can produce various outcomes, from full conflict resolution to participants deciding they cannot work together. HR professionals who refer cases to mediation must support follow-up activities and help address any unresolved issues that may emerge after the session concludes.
Legal Insight: Dealing with the aftermath of whistle-blowing
A Court of Appeal judgment in NHS Manchester v Fecitt clarifies employer liability for whistle-blower victimization, finding organizations responsible for colleague harassment following protected disclosures about false qualifications and safety concerns.
Blog: Why bother with managing staff careers?
Staff career management is essential for organizational success, aligning employee aspirations with business needs while improving performance, engagement, and retention. It enables companies to develop future leaders, deploy talent effectively, and respond quickly to market changes with skilled employees ready for new roles.
Creating a supportive culture in stressful times
Stress is now the leading cause of long-term sick leave in the UK. Organizations can build a supportive culture by helping line managers identify early stress signs and implementing support measures that boost both morale and performance while maintaining high-pressure environments.
Ask the Expert: Do staff accrue holiday while on unpaid leave?
Staff generally continue to accrue statutory holiday entitlement during unpaid leave under the Working Time Regulations 1998, provided they remain under an employment contract. However, the legal position is unclear with no definitive case law, and employers can clarify this in writing with the employee before the leave begins.
Employers reject offshore call centres due to staff quality concerns
Four out of five senior executives at major companies have no plans to offshore customer contact centres due to quality concerns that outweigh cost savings. A recent survey found only 2% intend to move operations offshore in the next 12-24 months, citing interaction quality, geopolitical instability, and data security risks as key barriers.
Investment in work-based training has direct impact on bottom line
Work-based training and apprenticeships deliver measurable financial returns alongside employee engagement benefits, according to UK academics and employers. Companies offering accredited work-based learning see improved staff loyalty, reduced turnover costs, and enhanced business performance while helping workers feel more valued and invested in their careers.
HR Forum: Shropshire Council – a talent strategy for change
Shropshire Council implemented a proactive talent management strategy to identify future leaders while navigating significant organizational change and budget cuts. The assessment evaluated senior managers’ capabilities, motivations, and potential to fill 61 remaining leadership roles after restructuring that reduced the workforce and cut employment terms.
Blog: Is it worth fighting discrimination claims in court?
Discrimination claims in UK tribunals face significant procedural challenges, with only 6-8% reaching hearing stage and 67-84% of cases failing. While out-of-court settlements are common, employers who defend claims risk lengthy tribunal proceedings lasting three to five days, substantial compensation awards, and significant management time costs.
HR Forum: HR lessons from the beautiful game
Football offers HR lessons for complex organizations, according to Professor Chris Brady, who leads Southend United. Brady emphasizes simplifying business through key communication points including brand, goals, strategy, and clear roles, while noting future workers will increasingly choose employers based on flexibility and organizational attractiveness.
The changing face of the European HR technology market
European HR departments are transforming their technology infrastructure to balance cost management with service quality across diverse markets. Key trends include implementing talent and performance systems, expanding shared services models, and elevating HR’s role as a strategic business enabler rather than purely transactional function.
Update: Government pension proposals not enough to stop industrial action
Despite government concessions on public sector pensions, UK unions voted to proceed with planned industrial action on November 30. Although officials described the latest offer as a “marked improvement,” they say further progress is needed before calling off the strike.
Blog: Using the London Olympics as a motivational tool
As the 2012 London Olympics approach, UK businesses are implementing motivation strategies to maintain staff engagement, including TV screens in communal areas, flexible working policies, and Olympic-themed incentive schemes to combat expected absences.
Legal Insight: Does your organisation pass the stress test?
Work-related stress is now the leading cause of long-term absence, posing significant legal and financial risks to organisations. To protect employees and mitigate liability, businesses should assess workplace stress management practices, encourage manager-employee dialogue, provide management training, and ensure access to support services like counselling.
Lincolnshire shared services deal to save £1.3m by axing 20 posts
North and North East Lincolnshire councils plan to merge local taxation and benefits services, saving £1.3m through 20 job cuts. The shared agreement covering council tax, benefits administration, and related functions is expected to launch by July 2012, with affected employees offered retraining and redeployment options.
HMRC staff balloted for action over call centre privatisation plans
PCS union has begun balloting over 21,000 HMRC staff on strike action against the agency’s plans to privatize call centre operations. The union argues that outsourcing taxpayer services to private providers poses security risks and threatens sensitive customer data protection.
