Coalition must help lowest earners and prevent poverty
The coalition government must introduce specific, targeted policies to help move 10 million people out of low skill, low wage employment as well as hit poverty reduction targets, a think tank has warned. According to the Work Foundation, an estimated 10 million people in the UK currently earn less than £15,000 per annum and are […]
Freelancers filling skill gaps in SMEs
Small-to-medium enterprises are increasingly employing freelancers to meet their short-term staffing needs and the trend is set to continue into the foreseeable future, according to a study. A survey of 1,000 UK SMEs undertaken by freelancer sourcing web site OfficeCavalry.com revealed that a quarter plan to boost headcount over the year ahead, with 38% of […]
Bribery act hesitation could lead to export blacklist for UK
UK companies face ending up on an international export blacklist as a result of coalition government moves to water down the Bribery Act, an international anti-corruption watchdog has warned. Mark Pieth, chairman of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) 36-member anti-bribery group, issued the warning after Ken Clarke, the justice secretary, said yesterday […]
How to recruit higher quality candidates: a key lesson from consumer marketing
By thinking like a marketer, recruiters can create a targeted sourcing strategy that can deliver a higher quality of hire, says Tim Geisert of Kenexa. In 2004, Dove, one of Unilever’s biggest beauty brands, sponsored a global research study that asked 3,200 women for their views on female beauty and well-being. Among the results was […]
Businesses to be fined when losing employment tribunal
Business groups have reacted with shock to coalition government proposals to fine employers up to £5,000 if they lose an employment tribunal case. The plans, which are buried in a government consultation paper that is intended to shake up the tribunal system, would result in employers having to pay the Exchequer half the amount of […]
Book review: The Right thing – Sally Bibb
Reviewer Jeremy Thorn considers a book described as ‘everyday’ which proves to be anything but… Title: ‘The Right Thing – an everyday guide to ethics in business’Author: Sally Bibb. ISBN 978-0-470-68853-4 – Wiley £14.99 This book is described as ‘an everyday guide to ethics in business’, but it is anything but ‘everyday’ – it is quite […]
Ask the expert: a TUPE puzzle
The experts, Adam Partington and Esther Smith advise on a TUPE puzzle… The question: TUPE puzzle A well known bank recently closed down the Independent Agency Network – staff are employed by an Independent Agent who has a contract with the Bank to run local agencies for them. It was decided by the bank […]
Atmosphere of fear leads to accidents going unreported
An overzealous safety culture at Network Rail meant that workers failed to report up to a two out of five accidents over a five year period because they were “fearful” of the repercussions. An inquiry by the Rail Safety and Standards Board estimated that, in most instances, staff made a conscious decision not to notify […]
Graduate unemployment at 15 year high
Graduate unemployment is now at a 15-year high, with one in five university leavers who entered the job market last year failing to get a job, according to official figures. Data from the Office of National Statics revealed that the number of graduates who are available for work but unable to find any has nearly […]
Nine million will not receive a full state pension
Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs has denied trying to shift the blame to employers for a National Insurance blunder that could mean millions of people are not entitled to a full state pension. The entitlement problem came to light after an All Party Parliamentary Taxation Group found that about 9.3 million NI payments made […]
Gray to sue over sexism sacking
Former Sky Sports presenter Andy Gray is set to sue the broadcaster for £3 million in an unfair dismissal lawsuit after losing his job following a sexism row with fellow presenter Richard Keys. The football pundit was sacked on Tuesday after leaked videos showed him making sexist comments and actions. But he has now […]
Networks – the power of informal learning
Francis Marshall looks at the growth of informal networks and the impact these are having on the world of work. With Facebook never far from the news and the film ‘The Social Network’ being such a recent success, we all know the vital role networks play today in bringing people together as well as […]
Paternity leave: A practical guide
The Government has confirmed that the rules concerning “shared” maternity leave will come into force, supplementing a father’s existing right to two weeks paternity leave. The two separate rights are “Paternity Leave” and “Additional Paternity Leave”. Paternity Leave: the entitlement In order to qualify for up to two weeks’ paternity leave, the following must apply: […]
Negative figures raise fears of double dip recession
“Astonishingly poor” economic growth figures for the fourth quarter of 2010 have led to fears of further jumps in unemployment, particularly in the crucial services sector, over the year ahead. According to initial figures from the Office of National Statistics, December’s snowy weather conditions were partly to blame for an unexpected 0.5% contraction in the […]
Tuesday, 10am – stress alert
A huge three quarters of workers regularly come to the end of their tether by 11.16am each day, but Tuesday morning at 10am is when they peak in terms of stress, according to research. A survey undertaken among 3,000 UK employees aged between 18 and 45 by recruitment agency Michael Page, revealed that, after staff […]
Employee engagement – finding the missing link
It is a truth, almost universally acknowledged, that an organisation full of engaged employees will outperform its competitors. Universally acknowledged it might be, but it seems that few organisations are achieving this. This is despite a great deal of effort including compelling vision and mission statements, leadership training, performance management systems and incentive schemes. Russell […]
Ask the expert: AWOL or Sickness?
This time the experts, Esther Smith and Martin Brewer give their advice on dealing with an employee who appears to be AWOL… The question: AWOL or Sickness? A member of staff has been off sick since beginning of October. The last contact was via a "family friend" in mid November which was followed up with […]
HR kidding itself it is strategic business partner
While almost three quarters of HR departments consider themselves to be strategic partners to the business, a huge 85% of their day-to-day activities are actually tactical in nature. A study undertaken by benefits consultancy and outsourced service provider Mercer among organisations in 40 countries across Europe, the Middle East and Africa revealed that there was […]
Work experience for young NEETs ‘blighting’ Britain
Employment Minister Chris Grayling will unveil a programme aimed at extending work experience opportunities for young people today in a bid to tackle the “blight” of youth unemployment. With unemployment rates among the under 25s now standing at around 20%, the Minister will reveal plans to extend the length of time that young unemployed […]
Training a priority in budgets, say managers
A huge 83% of UK managers expect their training budgets to either remain static or increase over the year ahead, with two thirds saying that they have been unaffected by the difficult economic conditions. Moreover, according to a survey among 96 business decision-makers undertaken by e-learning provider SkillSoft, a massive 95% said that they now […]
