Who dares recruits
British Special Forces launch their first active online recruitment campaign to address declining recruit numbers. The SAS has posted ads on a password-protected military job site for serving personnel, as combat deployments make SAS service a harder sell to experienced soldiers.
All IT recruitment roads lead to London
London dominates UK IT recruitment with 37,000 jobs advertised in Q2 2011 alone, accounting for 33% of all UK IT positions. Developer roles make up 39% of advertised positions, with SQL, C, C#, Java and .NET remaining the most sought-after skills.
HSBC plans 30,000 job cuts by 2013
HSBC announced plans to cut up to 30,000 jobs worldwide by 2013, with 5,000 already eliminated. The cuts focus on back-office and support roles as the bank refocuses operations toward Asia and away from less profitable regions, while maintaining overall headcount through hiring in emerging markets.
Top of Acas list of things to do: deal with unfair dismissal
Unfair dismissal is the most common reason individuals use Acas conciliation services, with the arbitration service handling nearly 18,000 disputes between employees and employers last year. Its pre-claim conciliation service prevented 13,158 tribunal claims, with 74% of cases resolved without escalation.
Pension rules could lead to pensions exodus
Proposed increases to minimum auto-enrolment pension contributions could drive people away from schemes entirely, the CBI warns. The Workplace Retirement Income Commission suggests raising minimum contribution levels, but employers argue higher requirements may create financial pressure and reduce participation in pension saving.
MP advocates fear and discipline for public sector workers
Policy minister Oliver Letwin argues that “discipline and fear” are necessary to drive excellence in public sector services, though union leaders criticize the approach as counterproductive and already causing chaos in vital services.
Change – is it all in the mind?
Organisational change today feels chaotic and pressured, prompting employees to respond with inefficiency, self-interest, burnout, or cynicism. Modern managers must build employee resilience and adapt strategies beyond traditional change management plans to navigate constant business flux.
Constructive dismissal: The usual rules apply to football clubs
Football clubs must follow standard employment law, as Falkirk Football Club discovered when an appeal tribunal found it had unfairly dismissed a coach by removing his team-selection duties without consultation. The ruling confirms that the “autocratic management style” common in football does not exempt clubs from employment law obligations around mutual trust and confidence.
Average public sector pay rise: zero percent!
Public sector workers face a pay freeze while private sector employees receive an average 3% pay rise, according to Incomes Data Services. With inflation running at 4-5%, even private sector pay increases fail to keep pace with rising costs of living.
Analysis: How should the HR software industry respond to the changing HR environment?
HR software providers face mounting pressure to develop flexible, adaptable technology that keeps pace with rapidly changing legislation and organizational demands. The industry must balance meeting current compliance requirements while remaining future-proof, as government HR laws evolve faster than any official governing body can provide clear guidance. Software companies must prioritize scalability and adaptability to avoid becoming obsolete in this fluid regulatory environment.
Categories of working persons – and their rights
Different categories of working persons—employees, workers, directors, and agency workers—have distinct legal rights and protections. Correctly identifying which category applies determines eligibility for unfair dismissal claims, minimum wage, and statutory sick pay entitlements.
Ask the expert: Gross misconduct and dismissal procedure
Gross misconduct must be serious enough to justify immediate dismissal without notice, typically involving deliberate wrongdoing or gross negligence. To ensure fair dismissal, employers must document investigations properly, follow disciplinary procedures, and demonstrate reasonable grounds for belief in the misconduct before taking action.
Book Review: The Board Game – survival and success as a company board member
This book reveals how success as a board director requires fundamentally different skills and behaviors than excelling as a manager. Through case studies and practical guidance, authors Scanlon and Schneider explore the transition to board-level thinking, covering strategy, ethics, decision-making, and the independent judgment directors must demonstrate.
The ‘Cadbury law’ and what it means for HR in takeovers
The ‘Cadbury Law’ amendments to the Takeover Code require bidders to publicly disclose their employment plans early in acquisition offers, including details on job losses and workplace changes. Employee representatives now receive expert-funded advice to evaluate these commitments, making it harder for acquirers to hide restructuring plans behind vague promises or regulatory excuses.
Book review: You can manage people
A review of “You Can Manage People” by Kieran Maloney and Paul Stanford, a management guide for new managers that covers essential topics but lacks visual appeal and organizational clarity, making it less effective as a practical support tool despite valid content.
Consultation on modern workplaces
The UK Government’s 2011 consultation proposed significant changes to maternity and parental leave from April 2015, including reducing maternity leave from 52 to 18 weeks and introducing 34 weeks of parental leave shareable between parents. The proposals aim to increase flexibility for all parents rather than favoring women, but raise concerns about administrative burden on employers and potential sex discrimination in benefits policies.
HR’s Olympic victory
Employers can turn the 2012 London Olympics into an HR advantage by planning ahead for increased leave requests, transport disruptions, and absenteeism. Flexible working policies, clear communication, and updated employment contracts help minimize workplace disputes while capitalizing on the global event.
HR needs to dive in for Olympic gold
HR professionals should prepare policies now for London 2012 as research reveals most workers lack clarity on viewing guidelines at work. Employment experts recommend flexibility, clear communication, and fair time-off policies to maintain productivity while boosting morale during the Olympic Games.
You need to insulate your car scheme from supply chain risks
Businesses face underestimated supply chain risks in complex service arrangements, from manufacturing to company cars. Small disruptions—like natural disasters or financial crises—can rapidly escalate into costly problems when systems lack redundancy, requiring companies to build resilience into procurement strategies.
Lifting the lid on the reality of the workplace for graduates
Research on Generation Y graduates reveals a significant disconnect with their managers, with over half planning to leave within two years. The study highlights key misunderstandings around salary, career advancement, and work-life balance expectations, creating costly talent retention challenges for employers.
