Blog: Apple loses Jobs – so what does it mean for the people?
Steve Jobs’s departure as Apple CEO raises significant questions about internal management and workforce dynamics. While external focus centers on share prices and customer impact, HR must address how the organization maintains its culture and momentum without its iconic leader. Employee engagement and effective change management are now critical priorities.
‘Take pay cut and unpaid leave or lose your job’, council workers warned
Rochdale Council is proposing pay cuts of 2.5% for workers and 5% for managers, reduced sick pay, and unpaid leave to save £5.5 million annually and avoid further job losses. The 7,000 council employees will vote on the changes this autumn.
Update: Health unions plan first ever NHS-wide strike
Health service unions are planning rolling strikes this autumn rather than a mass walkout if pension negotiations with the coalition government fail. The unions agreed to organize “smart” strike action that would disrupt non-essential services while maintaining patient safety and minimum care levels.
Blog: Workplace relationships – just like in personal life, you want a good match
Successful workplace relationships require the same ingredients as strong marriages: shared goals, open communication, mutual support, and a fun environment. Like in personal life, creating a culture where people feel valued and engaged—through coaching, listening, and good-natured humor—builds lasting loyalty and satisfaction in organizations.
Demand for temporary and migrant labour is on the up
Employers are increasingly turning to temporary and migrant workers to maintain flexibility and fill skills gaps amid economic uncertainty, with 83% planning to maintain or increase agency worker use. Meanwhile, demand for permanent staff and young people is declining, raising concerns about youth unemployment.
RBS pay details exposed in Hays email
Recruitment firm Hays launched an investigation after an employee accidentally emailed pay details of about 3,000 RBS contractors to 800 workers, revealing salaries up to £2,000 per day at the taxpayer-owned bank.
Sponsoring A level leavers – finders, keepers?
Employers are increasingly recruiting A-level leavers early through apprenticeships and sponsored degree programs, with major companies like Boots and Big Four accountancy firms competing for talent. Success in retaining these young employees depends on understanding the psychological contracts that bind workers to their organizations beyond salary and benefits.
Book Review: The Carrot Principle by Adrian Gostick & Chester Elton
The Carrot Principle by Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton explores how recognition accelerates organizational performance. Based on a 10-year study of 200,000 employees, the book provides empirical evidence that companies excelling in recognition achieve significantly higher returns on equity and stronger employee engagement and retention.
Blog: Employee performance ratings – the good, the bad and the ugly
Numerical performance ratings harm employee-manager relationships and organizational productivity, but numbers can work effectively in 360-degree feedback surveys and measurable goal-setting when used to start conversations rather than judge individual worth.
Horrible bosses: how to spot them and handle them
Authentic leaders prioritize organizational success, while horrible bosses prioritize themselves. This article identifies eight core traits of horrible bosses—including habitual lying, belittling behavior, and promoting divisive workplace cultures—and provides four strategies to help you manage them effectively.
Bonuses and allowances compensate council bosses for pay cuts
Council chief executives received inflated bonuses and allowances to offset promised salary cuts, according to analysis of local authority accounts. Despite government calls for 10% pay reductions, senior leaders’ total compensation packages increased, with top earners exceeding £280,000 annually.
Coulson paid by NotW while working for Prime Minister
Former News of the World editor Andy Coulson received two years’ severance pay from News International while serving as the Prime Minister’s communications director, triggering calls for an Electoral Commission investigation into potential undeclared Conservative Party funding.
BA cabin crew trial iPads to improve customer service
British Airways cabin crew are trialing iPads to enhance customer service by providing real-time access to passenger preferences, seating arrangements, dietary requirements, and travel history. The tablets replace paper manifests and enable personalized service while streamlining communication with ground staff.
Blog: “But what if they cry…?” How to handle interviewees from hell
Learn how to handle difficult interviewees with proven techniques for common challenges. Whether dealing with uncommunicative candidates, rambling responses, or nervous interviewees, discover practical strategies and phrases to keep interviews on track and gather the information you need.
Legal Insight: Where does long-term sick leave end and annual leave begin?
Long-term sick leave and annual leave entitlements can conflict under UK employment law, particularly when employees are absent for extended periods. Recent court rulings clarify that workers on long-term illness accrue paid annual leave during absence and can carry unused entitlement forward, rather than losing it under the traditional “use it or lose it” rule.
Ask the Expert: How to stop a one-off lease car perk becoming a given?
When a lease car becomes available, document in writing that it’s a temporary benefit with no contractual entitlement, no guaranteed replacement, and the right to reassign it. Legal experts recommend clarifying tax implications and usage rules to prevent it becoming a permanent perk.
Workers uninspired by business leaders, finds study
A UK survey of over 1,000 employees found that few workers believe their bosses display key leadership qualities like communication skills, integrity, and the ability to motivate. Just 10% consider their top manager inspirational, while only 12% see them as charismatic.
Cycling staff saved employers £128 million last year
Cycling saved UK employers £128 million last year through reduced absenteeism, according to a London School of Economics report. The study found the cycling industry contributes £2.9 billion annually to the UK economy, with regular cyclists taking fewer sick days than non-cyclists.
Blog: Got sick while on holiday?
If you fall ill during scheduled annual leave, you may be entitled to reschedule your holiday and take sickness leave instead. Recent government proposals aim to clarify UK employment law on carrying over unused leave and sickness-related absence.
Tackling the engineering skills shortage
The UK engineering industry faces a critical skills shortage threatening economic growth, with two-fifths of employers struggling to recruit experienced engineers. Apprenticeships and professional qualifications beyond traditional graduate pathways are essential to develop the workforce needed to address this growing crisis.
