Leadership forecast gloomy – development needed
Leadership quality hasn’t improved despite £14 billion in annual global investment, according to a survey of 12,000 leaders and HR professionals. Only 38% of managers rate their organization’s leadership as high, with most leaders finding development ineffective and lacking skills for future challenges.
Work smarter: Welcome to the office of the future
Plantronics transformed its Wootton Bassett office into a flexible, mobile-first workspace with hot-desking, soundproof pods, and four purpose-designed zones for communication, collaboration, conversation, and concentration. The company practices what it preaches about modern work environments by supporting remote work while maintaining collaborative spaces.
A guide to… Attracting talent
Finding and retaining top talent has become increasingly critical for business growth. Companies face significant challenges attracting qualified candidates despite larger applicant pools, compounded by budget constraints and shifting skill requirements. Effective talent management requires recruiters to act as strategic advisers and develop compelling employment value propositions that resonate with target candidates.
Ask the expert: Changing flexible working hours
Learn how employers can legally modify flexible working arrangements that aren’t meeting business needs. Experts explain the consultation process, required justification, and potential legal risks including discrimination claims when changing an employee’s agreed flexible hours back to full-time.
T Mobile data selling scandal staff fined
Two former T-Mobile employees were fined a combined £73,700 after being convicted of selling half a million customers’ personal data to direct marketing companies. The staff members copied contract renewal information and sold it to firms conducting cold-call campaigns, with the scheme uncovered following a two-year investigation by the Information Commissioner’s Office.
Growth won’t solve the UK’s labour market problems
The UK’s labour market faces deep structural problems that economic growth alone cannot solve, according to a CBI report. Regional unemployment disparities, skills shortages, and declining entry-level job opportunities threaten unequal recovery unless targeted policy changes address underlying employment divisions across the country.
To boost share value, tailor your talent treatment
Personalizing talent management for key employees can boost shareholder value by up to two-thirds over five years, research shows. However, many organizations misunderstand what their top talent actually wants, creating a significant gap between employee needs and employer perceptions that limits growth potential.
Low Pay Commission to review intern and apprentice pay
The Low Pay Commission has been asked to evaluate whether interns should be paid and review apprentice wages, while also examining ways to simplify National Minimum Wage regulations and provide businesses with greater clarity on future pay levels.
Managers failing to motivate and communicate
Poor management communication and lack of motivation are leaving two-thirds of UK workers unable to understand their company’s vision, resulting in only 36% working to their full potential. Employees cite managers’ ability to communicate passion and provide meaningful engagement as key factors that could significantly boost productivity and workplace satisfaction.
Slavery in Northern Ireland revealed
Modern-day slavery affects vulnerable migrant workers in Northern Ireland’s fishing, mushroom, and catering industries, according to research revealing systematic exploitation including poor conditions, low pay, and restricted movement among Filipino and Romanian Roma workers.
Serious problems with vocational business courses in schools
Ofsted has warned of serious quality problems with vocational business courses in English schools, finding that 30 out of 39 schools offered inadequate programs. Despite students achieving good grades, inspectors found lessons too focused on narrow assignments with little opportunity for meaningful debate or developing broader understanding of business concepts.
Mind the talent gap – is effective talent management being ignored?
Public sector organizations risk overlooking critical talent management during budget cuts, according to Hay Group research. The survey of 131 leaders found 73% haven’t renewed talent strategies, threatening their ability to retain skilled staff and meet future organizational needs amid unprecedented reform.
‘Worrying deceleration’ in job market points to sluggish recovery
Job hiring in the UK slowed to a seven-month low in May, according to recruitment industry data, raising concerns that weak economic growth will limit private sector job creation and fail to offset public sector losses. Both permanent and temporary placements grew at their slowest rate since October, with vacancies also declining.
Manufacturing needs more education and training
The manufacturing industry faces significant skills shortages that threaten future growth despite strong export-driven expansion. Government must boost education and training in engineering to develop a qualified workforce, or companies will resort to costly automation alternatives.
Book review: How to get top marks in… Managing poor work performance
Kate Russell’s practical guide helps managers effectively address poor work performance through clear, jargon-free advice on setting standards, monitoring progress, and using fair informal processes before formal action. Ideal for new supervisors and small business owners, this 120-page handbook simplifies legal requirements while emphasizing common-sense approaches.
Creating calm after the storm: employee engagement best practice following major organisational change
After major organisational change, employee engagement significantly impacts productivity and retention. Disengaged workers are less motivated and flexible, making it essential for employers to involve employees in reviewing change outcomes, communicate long-term benefits, and actively seek honest feedback to rebuild trust and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
The elephant in the HR department?
HR professionals often experience significant stress and burnout while helping others manage workplace wellbeing. This article explores why HR practitioners struggle to recognize their own stress symptoms and discusses the importance of seeking support to perform effectively in their roles.
Calls for government to engage with unions to avoid unrest
Employment experts urge the government to engage constructively with unions rather than issue threats about strike legislation to prevent industrial unrest this autumn. Effective communication and consultation with public sector workers are essential to build trust and avoid costly industrial action, they warn.
Banker bonus tax to battle ‘Britain’s lost talent’
Labour’s Shadow Chancellor proposes a £2 billion tax on bankers’ bonuses to fund employment and housing schemes for young people and those in unemployment hotspots. The plan aims to create 20,000 housing jobs and help 90,000 young people enter the workforce while addressing rising youth unemployment.
40,000 jobs could go at Royal Mail
Royal Mail is preparing to cut up to 40,000 jobs over the next five years as it prepares for privatisation, with plans to reduce its 165,000-strong workforce by an additional 15,000 staff between 2013 and 2016. The Communication Workers Union has warned it will oppose compulsory redundancies.
