Top of Acas list of things to do: deal with unfair dismissal

While pay remains the single biggest cause of large-scale industrial disputes, unfair dismissal is the most common reason for individuals to use its conciliation services, says arbitration service Acas.   Although the number of large, collective disputes rose by 15% last year to 1,054, a huge 91% were either resolved or saw both parties move […]

Pension rules could lead to pensions exodus

Proposals to increase minimum auto-enrolment pension contributions made by both private sector staff and employers could end up driving people away from schemes altogether, the CBI has warned.   From next year, unless employees choose to opt out, they and their employers will be required to pay a minimum of 8% into an occupational pension […]

MP advocates fear and discipline for public sector workers

The only way to achieve excellence among public sector workers is through “some real discipline and some fear”, the coalition government’s policy minister Oliver Letwin has said.   According to the Guardian, Letwin, who is the coalition’s architect of public sector reforms, told attendees at the launch of a liberal think tank’s report at the […]

Change – is it all in the mind?

Anyone who has worked in organisations long enough will be familiar with the concept of the change programme. Whether in response to a crisis, such as a turnaround situation, or a growth opportunity as with a corporate takeover, the change process is well established.  A classic change management plan might look like this: make it […]

Constructive dismissal: The usual rules apply to football clubs

There is often a perception that football clubs don’t need to concern themselves with employment law. “Well, football is football isn’t it? Things are different aren’t they?” Falkirk Football Club recently learnt that the answer to that was, definitely not. Richard Santy, employment partner at Shoosmiths and head of its Sports Group, explains why football clubs […]

Average public sector pay rise: zero percent!

While most public sector workers are having to endure ongoing pay freezes, their private sector peers are getting average 3% boosts – and only six out of every 100 such staff are getting no pay rises at all. The findings come from the latest look at British pay from researchers Incomes Data Services.   It […]

Analysis: How should the HR software industry respond to the changing HR environment?

In recent years, there has been a rapid increase in the amount of pressure being placed on organisations’ HR department by the board, and with HR legislation flying out of Downing Street at an alarming rate, software providers have been forced to develop technology that meets client requirements in a constantly changing environment. HR technology […]

Categories of working persons – and their rights

With many different categories of working person, each with their own characteristics, it is often difficult to tell who falls into what category. Although it is not always easy to be sure, a person’s entitlement to claim unfair dismissal, the minimum wage or statutory sick pay can often depend on correctly identifying which category a […]

Ask the expert: Gross misconduct and dismissal procedure

Question: Dismissal My client wants to get rid of a worker. However, I feel there is only one credible written warning on this persons’ file. There have been a series of verbal warnings throughout this employee’s two year career but the previous HR officer did not follow these through professionally, i.e. kept official notes on […]

Book Review: The Board Game – survival and success as a company board member

‘THE BOARD GAME – survival and success as a company board member’   by Brian Scanlon and Stephen Schneider   ISBN 9 781907 794032 – LIDpublishing.com  £15.99 Most ambitious managers will rightly look forward to the happy day when they are first invited to join their organisation’s board as a director.  Yet all too many may […]

The ‘Cadbury law’ and what it means for HR in takeovers

For those taken aback by the behaviours seen in the Kraft takeover of Cadbury, the current draft of the amendments to the Takeover Code suggests that some of the lessons have been learned. Clearly the introduction of these amendments won’t prevent takeovers – hostile or otherwise – and possible job losses in the acquired company, […]

Book review: You can manage people

Title: You can manage peopleAuthor: Kieran Maloney & Paul StanfordISBN: 978-1-905823-88-8Price:   I read the reviews on the back cover and was pleased at the prospect of reviewing a “straightforward” book and “a very easy read, light and none of the fluffy stuff.” The only problem was that I am a manager with 18 years […]

Consultation on modern workplaces

The “Consultation on Modern Workplaces” launched by the Government in May 2011 proposes radical changes for 2015 to maternity and parental leave, which could create a huge administrative burden on employers, and shifts the focus of diversity measures away from women, toward equal treatment for both parents, plus additional paid leave. Employers don’t need to […]

HR’s Olympic victory

It's exactly one year to the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games. Employers should not underestimate the impact the Games will have on their business but those who plan well will earn some easy employee relations points and save management time otherwise spent in disciplinary meetings or even at the employment tribunal! Start planning Early […]

HR needs to dive in for Olympic gold

One year from today and you might find that office productivity drops for a fortnight as the staff decamp to the pub to watch Tom Daley and Team GB chase gold.  With exactly one year to go until The London Olympic Games 2012, HR professionals are being urged to have plans in place governing staff […]

You need to insulate your car scheme from supply chain risks

Experts are warning that businesses face greater risks from complex service supply arrangements than they may realise. The issue isn’t confined to manufacturing: these days, almost everything from payroll processing to company cars reaches the end-user business at the end of an intricate supply chain.  Everyone wants last-minute ordering and delivery because minimising slack means […]

Lifting the lid on the reality of the workplace for graduates

Dr. Carina Paine Schofield, Research Fellow, Ashridge Business School explains their latest research on the gap between graduate expectations and the modern workplace. Ashridge Business School and the Institute of Leadership & Management have undertaken research into Generation Y graduates and their managers, which reveals a clear and compelling picture of the similarities and differences […]

Birmingham City Council’s Martini employment contract in flux

Birmingham's City Council's 'Martini' contract – so called because it allegedly permits managers to demand staff work anytime, any place, anywhere – has been signed up to by less than half of the city's staff even as a row continues over planned offshoring of IT jobs.  With effect from 1 November, all staff working for the […]

McDonald’s David Fairhurst appointed to the UK Commission for Employment and Skills

The Chief People Officer of McDonald’s Europe, David Fairhurst has been appointed to act as a Commissioner for the UK Commission for Employment and Skills by Business Secretary Vince Cable. He is already visiting Professor at Manchester Metropolitan University Business School and a Teaching Fellow at Lancaster University alongside his 'McJob' and his appointment is […]

Caroline Waters: The Equality Act and HR

As the Red Tape Challenge website focuses on equality, Caroline Waters, BT’s director of people and policies, talks about the impact the Equality Act has had on business. I have worked in this space for many years now and have seen many changes for the better. There is no doubt that we have come a […]