Tax relief cannot be claimed on car allowances, rules tribunal
An upper tier tribunal has ruled that employers cannot claim tax relief on car allowances unless they are directly linked to miles traveled. The decision rejected a lower tribunal’s earlier finding that lump-sum car allowances qualify as relevant motoring expenses for national insurance purposes.
Blog: It’s time for HR and recruiting to kiss and make up
HR and recruiting departments must reconcile their adversarial relationship to effectively attract and retain talent, or risk outsourcing these critical functions. By partnering strategically, recruiting can expand beyond hiring to support employee growth and retention, strengthening overall business success.
Building much-needed business savvy
HR professionals need to develop stronger business savvy to drive organizational influence and strategic impact. A new research initiative explores how to build commercial awareness and embed it as standard practice across HR functions.
MoD spends £9m on armed forces recruitment as redundancies mount
The Ministry of Defence spent £9 million on armed forces recruitment advertising despite laying off thousands of troops, with the government arguing the spending is necessary to replace personnel leaving through retirement and redundancy.
Temps entitled to tips under Agency Worker Regs, warns lawyer
Under new Agency Worker Regulations effective October 1st, temporary hospitality staff with 12 weeks’ service are entitled to receive tips, whether paid in cash or card. Employers risk legal action if they fail to include agency workers in tip-sharing schemes, warns employment lawyer Jim Lister.
Gloucester Council’s shared service centre to save local jobs
Gloucester City Council has partnered with Civica to establish a shared services centre for revenues, benefits, and welfare services, aiming to save £220,000 annually while safeguarding local jobs and attracting other UK authorities to the arrangement.
Talent Spot: Jez Langhorn, McDonalds’ VP of people for Northern Europe
Jez Langhorn, McDonald’s VP of people for the UK and Northern Europe, emphasizes persistence as key to HR success. Having started at McDonald’s aged 15, he worked his way up through operations before volunteering for HR roles, eventually leading efforts to transform the company’s employer brand and develop its workforce.
Blog: TK Maxx – when collaboration pays off
TK Maxx demonstrates the value of cross-departmental collaboration between HR, marketing, and operations in delivering consistent customer experience. A store visit illustrates how employee training and focus on service quality directly impact both customers and the brand’s reputation.
Unemployment “truly horrific” – and unlikely to improve any time soon
UK unemployment has hit a 17-year high of 8.1%, with 2.57 million people out of work and youth joblessness at 21.3%. Economists warn the private sector is failing to create enough jobs to offset public sector cuts, and conditions are unlikely to improve due to government commitment to austerity measures.
“Institutional inertia” leads to slow progress on female board directors
Institutional inertia is slowing progress on female board representation, with only 33 FTSE 100 companies setting targets to increase female directors following Lord Davies’ 2015 recommendation of 25% representation. Current trends suggest women will comprise just 21% of board positions by 2015 at existing rates.
Location, location, location – and what it means for shared services
HR shared services centres can deliver 20-40% cost savings, primarily through reduced labour costs which typically account for 80% of expenditure. However, location decisions should balance cost factors with quality considerations including labour availability, language capabilities, and cultural compatibility to ensure long-term success.
Biggest drop in household income for 35 years will see child poverty leap, says study
A major study warns that a 7% drop in UK household incomes over three years, combined with welfare changes, will cause child poverty to surge by 23-24% by 2020, despite government plans for a new Universal Credit scheme designed to reduce poverty.
Blog: Agency worker regulations and how legitimately to avoid them
Learn how the Agency Workers Regulations affect temporary staffing and discover legitimate strategies employers can use to manage compliance costs, including hiring temporary workers directly to bypass agency fees while maintaining legal and ethical standards.
How to nip unfair dismissal claims in the bud
The UK sees approximately 50,000 unfair dismissal claims annually, with employers often failing to address issues early or follow proper disciplinary procedures. Rigorous hiring practices, identifying cultural fit, and prompt intervention by HR and line managers can significantly reduce tribunal claims and their substantial costs.
Oracle unveils enterprise social media tool
Oracle has unveiled Oracle Social Network, an enterprise social collaboration tool integrated with its HR applications that enables employees, partners, and customers to communicate and share information across the organization using personal profiles, activity feeds, document-sharing, and mobile support.
Blog: Steve Jobs – lessons in talent management
Steve Jobs built Apple’s culture around his influential leadership, raising questions about succession planning and talent management. This post examines how organizations can prepare for the departure of charismatic leaders by developing strong talent pipelines and recruiting people who embody the company’s core values and innovation principles.
Cost a factor in disability discrimination claims, landmark ruling reveals
A landmark employment tribunal ruling has established that employers can consider costs when determining reasonable adjustments for disabled workers. The decision, stemming from a case involving a profoundly deaf Foreign Office employee, found that adjustment expenses deemed too high need not be provided, marking the first time cost has been central to disability discrimination law.
Public sector job cuts hindering not helping deficit reduction, warns CIPD
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development warns that public sector job cuts are undermining deficit reduction efforts. A survey found job losses running five times above Office for Budget Responsibility forecasts, with over 600,000 positions expected to be lost by 2015-16—a third more than government projections.
Legal Insight: How to tackle a Tevez
When employees refuse to follow instructions, HR directors must first verify the order is both lawful and reasonable. Instructions must align with the employee’s job description and contract, though reasonableness can be complex in areas like workplace relocation or new technology adoption.
O2 pilots shift-switching initiative for frazzled working parents
O2 is piloting a shift-swapping scheme at three stores that allows working parents to exchange shifts with colleagues to manage childcare and family commitments. Groups of two to four employees can coordinate their own schedules monthly to balance work with school runs, holidays, and emergencies.
