Britain’s got talent: but how do you find yours?
Discover how businesses can identify and nurture hidden talent without a TV show. Learn five practical strategies to spot potential leaders in your organization, from creating performance opportunities to providing constructive feedback and fostering a supportive culture.
3/5 employers have no plan for NEST pensions
Three out of five UK employers lack a plan for NEST pensions auto-enrolment, according to a survey. Additionally, a third of aware employers have no intention of providing staff training on the new scheme, citing costs and the assumption that workers will find information independently.
Council off shoring move leads to Union anger
Birmingham City Council’s plan to offshore 100 IT jobs to India has sparked union anger, with strikes being considered over the cuts and changes to pay and conditions. Unions claim they weren’t consulted and fear the move is just the beginning of wider outsourcing by other councils.
Smartworking: the future of work
Smart working represents a fundamental shift in how companies operate, with dispersed teams collaborating on projects using cloud-based tools rather than traditional office-based hierarchies. This trend reflects growing complexity in project management, increased outsourcing, and the rise of remote work arrangements that prioritize results over physical presence.
Women in technical roles get training funding
A £213,000 training fund has been launched to help UK employers develop female staff in technical roles, with grants of up to £600 per person. The scheme aims to increase women’s representation in traditionally male-dominated sectors including chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and nuclear industries.
Institute of Recruiters launched
The Institute of Recruiters, a Manchester-based professional body launched to enhance standards in the recruitment sector, offers members university-level qualifications, apprenticeships, and development programs. The organization aims to serve recruitment professionals across agencies, corporate resourcing, and HR roles while providing networking events and industry guidance.
Agency workers: looking less attractive
The Agency Workers Regulations 2010, effective October 2011, will require employers to provide agency workers retained longer than 12 weeks with equal pay and conditions as permanent employees. This significantly increases costs and requires new HR systems, while preventing employers from terminating workers to avoid liability.
The success factors: goal setting, execution tools and performance feedback
Companies that align goals across the organization, use performance management tools effectively, and provide varied feedback see significantly higher stock returns and faster growth, according to research on 153 SuccessFactors customers. The study found that increases in goal-setting practices, organizational alignment, system usage, and rating scale variation directly correlate with improved financial performance.
Employees need holiday every 60 days
UK workers should take a holiday every 60 days to maintain focus and reduce stress, according to research. A survey found that while many employees feel the need for breaks every two months, only 11% actually manage to take them that frequently, leading to burnout and decreased productivity.
Top pay at Tesco reviewed
Tesco has overhauled executive pay policies to address shareholder concerns, eliminating share options and consolidating incentive schemes with new clawback provisions. The changes come as research shows FTSE 100 chief executive pay surged 32% last year while employee wages grew just 2%.
Twitter forced to hand over account details to Council
South Tyneside Council won a legal battle forcing Twitter to reveal account details linked to a blog making damaging claims against council staff and officials. In what is believed to be the first time Twitter was compelled to provide information about UK users, a California court ordered the platform to hand over details of five accounts.
Unpaid internships land Lib Dems in hot water
The Liberal Democrats face accusations of hypocrisy after advertising unpaid internships online, despite Deputy PM Nick Clegg’s recent criticism of unwaged work. A Freedom of Information request revealed that 30% of internships on the government’s Graduate Talent Pool website are unpaid, raising concerns about equal opportunity and graduate exploitation.
Ask the expert: Do we have to pay sleeping workers?
Experts clarify whether employers must pay workers for sleep time during night shifts, and explain legal obligations under the Working Time Regulations, including minimum wage compliance and health assessments for night workers.
Communicating with your employees – don’t be anti-social!
Effective employee communication and benefits packages are crucial for engagement, especially during economic uncertainty. Social media offers a cost-effective channel for leaders to dialogue with staff and boost morale, though many companies remain hesitant about workplace access despite evidence that restrictions reduce productivity and employee satisfaction.
‘Our Chezza’ style sacking could land you in court, warn lawyers
UK lawyers warn that discriminating against job candidates or employees based on regional accents could expose employers to costly legal action under racial discrimination laws. Cheryl Cole’s reported sacking from US X Factor over her Geordie accent prompted the warning, with employment experts noting that accent-based discrimination is common in hiring but legally risky.
Low skilled immigrant workers have doubled
Foreign-born workers now fill nearly 20% of low-skilled jobs in the UK, doubling from 9% in 2002, according to Office for National Statistics data. The increase has reignited debate over immigration policy and whether welfare reforms can encourage British citizens to take poorly paid positions.
Online tools make employees ruder and less productive
Constant access to online tools like email and social media is damaging workplace productivity and civility, according to research. The study found that three out of five workplace interruptions stem from digital distractions, with employees wasting over an hour daily on messages and social networks, costing UK businesses £57.8 billion annually.
Case in point: Treating maternity leavers too favourably
Employers must balance protecting maternity leave employees from discrimination while avoiding unfair treatment of other staff. The Employment Appeal Tribunal’s Eversheds v De Belin decision clarifies that special treatment should only compensate for maternity-related disadvantages, not artificially favor these employees in redundancy processes.
Discrimination multi-faceted, reveals report
A new study reveals that workplace discrimination typically stems from multiple identity factors rather than a single cause, with age, gender, and educational background cited most frequently. The Inclusive Employers Foundation has launched to help organizations create more inclusive workplaces through practical policies, guidance, and support services.
The promotion card – why your top performers are not always the best candidates
Top performers don’t always make the best promotion candidates. Promoting your best salesperson to sales manager, for example, can lose your strongest individual contributor while creating management problems. Organizations should evaluate promotion readiness beyond performance metrics and consider alternative ways to engage and retain talent.
