Skills Active funding cut despite employer satisfaction
The sport and active leisure Skills Sector Council has reacted angrily to the coalition government’s decision to axe its apprenticeship funding despite pledges to create 100,000 new on-the-job training places over the next two years. The Young Apprenticeship scheme in Sports Management, Leadership and Coaching, which is led by Skills Active, the […]
‘Mansion tax’ to return?
The Deputy Prime Minister has intimated that plans to axe the 50p rate of income tax will be funded by a modified version of the Liberal Democrats’ controversial ‘mansion tax’. Chancellor George Osborne had already made it clear that he intends to scrap the 50p top rate of income tax, which is […]
Ask the expert: Pay grade – has this employee got a case?
This time the experts, Esther Smith and Adam Partington advise on whether an employee could take action against the employer for effectively down-grading them. The question: Pay grade – has this employee got a case? Last year (May 2010) we went into consultation where the role was split into two roles where the current employee […]
Mediation and wellbeing: An all-weather strategy
Conflict in the workplace is as common as a rainy day in the UK. And, like a miserable wet day, workplace disputes have a negative effect on our wellbeing in the workplace. Whilst we can prepare for rain, with stylish wellies and colourful umbrellas, most HR professionals and line managers feel ill-equipped and lack the […]
How will EMA cuts affect the nation’s workforce?
The coalition government has slashed the £560m Education Maintenance Allowance to £180m, while backing a ‘StartUp Britain’ initiative that some industry experts are skeptical will make the necessary impact. Michael Gove, the Education Secretary announced yesterday that EMA, which provided 650,000 16- to 19-year-olds with grants of between £10-30 per week to […]
Gender issues: Effective workplace communication
Gender is one of the most obvious differences in any group of employees, and an undeniable one: men and women aren’t just physically different, but grow up influenced by (and largely endure) different social conditioning. But while each of us has a gender, we also have a nationality and/or race, a set of personal beliefs, […]
Will the new paternity leave rights benefit you?
Two out of five new fathers will not take advantage of new paternity leave rights because they cannot afford it, they fear that their career will suffer or they are afraid of losing their jobs. The coalition government introduced new regulations yesterday enabling new fathers to take up to six months paternity […]
Report: Average take-home pay is lower than in 2004
The average UK worker has seen their salary drop in real-terms by an average of 5% compared to less than two years ago, with staff in the financial services and construction sectors hardest hit. According to research for the BBC’s Panorama programme, which is due to be screened on BBC1 tonight, the […]
Encouragement from managers increases staff engagement
There is a direct correlation between staff engagement and the amount of guidance, feedback and autonomy that managers are willing to provide workers, according to research. In general terms, employees feel more supported if their bosses focus on what they do, feel good about themselves in their role and act in a way that demonstrates commitment […]
Chancellor’s windfall tax will cause tens of thousands to lose their jobs
Tens of thousands of oil workers will lose their jobs over the next few years as a result of the Chancellor’s £2bn windfall tax on North Sea producers, the industry has warned. The surprise levy, which was announced by George Osborne in Wednesday’s Budget, was designed to fund a fuel duty cut of one pence for […]
UK business not ready for a crisis
Although awareness of the need for crisis planning is high following a series of extreme weather conditions, the flu epidemic and transport disruptions, only just over half of UK organisations have any contingency plans in place. These are the findings of a report entitled ‘Managing Threats in a Dangerous World’ published by the Chartered Management […]
Lecturers strike over pay and pensions
Tens of thousands of lecturers will today take part in their first nationwide strike for five years as part of a worsening row over changes to pay and pensions. Members of the University and College Union will walk out of 500 further education colleges, older universities and former polytechnics across the country and mount picket […]
Budget 2011: Cars and fleets update
The Budget 2011 announced further changes which will affect businesses and their employees who use a car for business. There are changes for both employees provided with a company car, and for those using their own car for business journeys. Clearly, changes to fuel duty will affect all motorists so those are not dealt with […]
Want wellbeing? Time to be flexible
According to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), companies looking to make sure staff aren’t under too much pressure, should consider implementing flexible working policies, such as remote working. In fact, it claims that employees who work for organisations that offer flexible working practices are the happiest of all. The Office of National Statistics reveals […]
Book review: Brilliant Business Writing by Neil Taylor
Title: Brilliant Business Writing (2nd Edition)Author: Neil Taylor ISBN: 9780273744580 Brilliant Business Writing (2nd Edition, Neil Taylor, Pearson Books, 2011) is absolutely jam-packed with straightforward, realistic and unpretentious advice. It is an easy read that is well structured and written in an un-patronising and uncomplicated tone. Don’t be put off by expecting a 150 page […]
Ignore the Bribery Act at your peril, says law firm
Law firm, Prettys, warns companies not to ignore Bribery Act as strict new rules spread to the wider business community. Although implementation of The Act has been delayed, it looks likely to come into force later this year and could extend to normal business conduct that many companies do not realise will be affected. Penalties […]
Budget 2011: Enterprise zones announced
As the deabte rages as to whether they will make any difference, the chancellor has revealed the locations of the first of 21 new enterprise zones to be set up. Delivering his 2011 Budget announcement Osborne said zones will be set up in Birmingham and Solihull, Bristol, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, Leeds, Liverpool, Greater Manchester, Sheffield, the […]
Budget 2011: Pensions reaction
The introduction of a flat pension has been welcomed by the industry. NAPF Chief Executive Joanne Segars said:"This is a turning point for pensions in the UK. Over half a million new pensioners a year will get a simpler and more generous state pension, and reliance on means-tested benefits will be slashed. “For too long […]
Budget 2011: George Osborne minds the skills gap
The 2011 budget, delivered by George Osborne on 23 March 2011, highlighted something familiar to all those who work in human resources, training and recruitment – a lack of skills is hampering our financial recovery, not helped by a lack of suitable jobs and an education system many believe is lacking to teach the workers […]
EHRC to focus on promoting and enforcing equality at work
The coalition government has launched a consultation on plans to restrict the equality regulator’s remit to core activities, which include promoting awareness of and enforcing anti-discrimination legislation in the workplace. The Equality and Human Rights Commission was set up in October 2007 when it took over the work of the Equal Opportunities Commission, the Commission […]
