Pay awards to remain flat until end of year
Pay awards are expected to remain flat through the end of the year due to high unemployment, weak labor market conditions, and rising commodity costs. Analysis of 99 awards shows the median pay increase held steady at 2%, with employers citing affordability constraints despite most preferring RPI inflation measures.
Employers must “challenge status quo” for women to reach the top
Employers must challenge outdated working practices and revamp traditional business models to enable equal gender representation in senior leadership roles, according to experts. A report reveals it will take 70 years at current rates for women and men to achieve equal numbers in top positions, despite women outperforming men academically.
Empowering call centre workers boosts morale – and the bottom line
Empowering call centre staff to make decisions and personalise service—rather than following scripts and time targets—increases employee morale and reduces turnover while improving productivity and customer satisfaction, according to a Loughborough University study.
Blog: From riot to clean-up – a reminder for HR
Recent civil unrest demonstrates the immense power of people, a crucial reminder for HR professionals about the importance of effective employee communication and people management. Understanding workforce dynamics and maintaining open dialogue can prevent destructive behavior while harnessing collective energy constructively.
Identifying the leaders of tomorrow
Graduate recruitment requires looking beyond CVs and marketing to identify candidates with genuine leadership potential. Key criteria include strong numeracy and literacy skills, effective oral communication abilities, and openness to change—qualities that reveal substance and predict success in management roles.
Tribunal hears first UK caste-based discrimination claim
A tribunal is hearing the first UK caste-based discrimination claim, brought by an Indian couple who allege they were unfairly dismissed from their legal jobs at a Coventry law firm. The precedent-setting case may influence whether caste discrimination is added to UK equality legislation.
School leavers lack necessary workplace skills
Nearly half of UK employers lack confidence hiring school leavers, with a survey of 2,000 micro-companies revealing a significant skills gap between what businesses need and what young people bring to the workplace.
Too much fire-fighting stops L&D teams being strategic
Seventy percent of L&D teams struggle with daily fire-fighting, limiting their ability to focus on strategic initiatives. Resource constraints and weak senior management support prevent them from improving organizational performance and training ROI.
More employer training levies will stifle staff development, warns CBI
The CBI warns that extending employer training levies would reduce staff development investment, arguing that a voluntary approach is more effective. The business group cites data showing UK employers already invest £39bn annually in training, with 90% providing staff development programs.
UK riots: Tottenham and Croydon given £20m job creation fund
The UK government has allocated £20m through the London Enterprise Fund to support job creation and economic regeneration in Tottenham and Croydon following recent riots. The three-year funding aims to address long-standing growth barriers, create apprenticeships, and redevelop key areas including rail stations and retail centres.
UK IT workforce at its biggest ever
The UK IT workforce has reached record levels, with 1,093,000 ICT professionals now employed—the highest ever recorded. However, public sector employment is declining, and training investment is dropping, with concerns about long-term skill shortages.
Blog: Long service awards are out of date
Traditional long service awards focusing on 20+ years are outdated as employee tenure has shortened. Modern recognition programs should reward quality of service, loyalty, and achievements across all tenure lengths, with public presentation to boost employee engagement and organizational performance.
The value of on-the-job assessments when managing older workers
On-the-job assessments and formal performance reviews are crucial for managing older workers effectively. Research shows older employees receive less training and fewer performance appraisals than younger counterparts, yet they can deliver significant benefits through experience, knowledge transfer, and mentoring roles when properly developed and assessed.
Part-time worker numbers hit record high
Part-time worker numbers hit a record high as unemployment rose to 2.49 million, driven by a shortage of full-time jobs. Female unemployment surged particularly sharply, reaching its highest level since 1988, while jobless benefit claims jumped to levels unseen since 2009.
Second wave of enterprise zones to create 30,000 high-tech jobs
The UK government announced 11 additional enterprise zones across England, bringing the total to 21, aimed at creating 30,000 high-tech jobs. New businesses in these zones will receive £150 million in tax breaks over four years plus broadband access, with each zone specializing in specific industries like aerospace, biotechnology, and offshore wind energy.
Encouraging green employee action can help cut costs
Encouraging employees to take environmental action helps businesses comply with regulations while reducing operational costs through lower energy consumption and waste management expenses.
Government consults over adult learning overhaul
The UK Coalition Government has launched a consultation on adult learning reform, proposing changes to further education, community learning, and student loans. The “New Challenges, New Chances” consultation aims to reduce bureaucracy, improve teaching quality, and expand access to higher-level courses from 2013/14 onwards.
Service Birmingham aims to hire city’s disadvantaged
Service Birmingham is on track to hire 720 people from disadvantaged communities by April 2013 as part of a Jobs and Skills Charter initiative. The joint venture between Birmingham City Council and Capita targets the long-term unemployed, lone parents, disabled people, and those from economically deprived areas.
Blog: Do non-competition clauses work in a social media world?
Non-competition clauses face enforcement challenges in the social media age, as courts strictly interpret workplace agreements that don’t explicitly address platforms like LinkedIn. Businesses should update policies to clarify how employees can use social networks during and after employment to avoid legal disputes.
Too many rules are bad for employee relations
Excessive workplace rules can harm employee relations and business flexibility. While some policies are necessary for fairness and legal protection, overly complex procedures may hinder organizational effectiveness and create rigid, impractical work environments that damage employer-employee relationships.
