UK seeks to create jobs and cash in on tourism

British Airways and P&O are among the companies backing a £100 million government fund to promote tourism with the aim of creating 50,000 jobs and bringing in an extra one million overseas visitors to the UK.  Cash and payment in kind has also been pledged by the Radisson Edwardian hotel chain, Lastminute.com and ferry operator […]

A paradigm shift in performance management – part one

Performance management has never been more required than right now. With priorities changing constantly and resources under continuous scrutiny, our employees have once again become the key to differentiating our business, brand and services. The degree to which we respect the effectiveness of performance management may have evolved from direct experience – and some of […]

Sealing the black hole in HR and careers advice

There is a looming black hole in HR, careers advice and skills development that could blight a generation. HR professionals, in particular, will be facing some of the most challenging conditions seen in the UK since the 1930s.   The UK government wants to help but funds are limited. It wants people to embrace the […]

The workspace is key to engagement

‘If you are not allowed to arrange your desk as you would like to (then) you’ll feel uncomfortable, like an outsider and not part of the team’ (respondent to a workplace survey conducted by psychologists at the University of Exeter).   During the recent election campaign, Nick Clegg suggested that cuts in the public sector […]

A decade in HR – 10 years of talent spotting and getting more social

It is fair to say that over the last 10 years the HR landscape has changed considerably, both in terms of processes and the technology used. We have seen economic boom and bust and its resulting impact on recruitment and talent management. We have also seen the unprecedented growth in the internet, and more latterly […]

All change for 2011: change managers, social media and retention

As projects continue to become more complex and teams more virtual over the coming year, developing the leadership skills of project managers will become increasing crucial to success, experts have warned.  But according to Informa’s ESI International, a project management training and consultancy house, a key challenge for organisations will be to clearly define what […]

Employment tribunals cost BBC £600k in 2010

The BBC paid out more than £600,000 to deal with employment tribunal claims last year, nearly £400,000 of which went on settlements to aggrieved staff.  According to information obtained via a Freedom of Information request, some 33 employees brought cases against the broadcaster in 2010, of which 22 were settled, five withdrawn or dismissed and […]

CIPD outlook for 2011 grim

Continuing job losses and falls in average earnings mean that 2011 is likely to prove another difficult year for HR professionals, with a ‘jobs-light’ recovery the best that can be hoped for, according to an HR body.  In its annual employment Barometer report for the year ahead, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) […]

Small businesses not prepared for pension provision

Although only a third of small companies currently offer their employees a pension scheme, a mere one in five has started to consider the financial impact of the government’s new auto-enrolment and NEST rules.  According to a survey of 404 small employers with 250 or fewer staff undertaken by the Association of Consulting Actuaries (ACA), […]

Season’s Greetings: Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year

Wishing all of you and your families a wonderful Christmas, peaceful New Year and a stress-free return to work! Thank you for your support and participation in 2010 – enjoy the festive period with our best wishes on behalf of all of the HRzone.co.uk team. The very best, Charlie Duff, Editor.

Employees want supportive, approachable communicators for managers

The top three key traits that staff would like to see in their bosses are approachability, good communication skills and supportive behaviour, according to study.  But it appears that many are being disappointed. An online poll of 1,000 UK workers undertaken by ICM on behalf of bank First Direct revealed that a huge 88% felt […]

Immigration cap could be challenged

The coalition government’s decision to cut off Tier One visas to skilled workers from outside of the EU with effectively no notice could be subject to legal challenge, an immigration specialist has warned.  The same applies to the setting of an interim limit of 10,832 on the number of certificates of sponsorship that are available […]

Revising the remuneration code – prepare to meet the new FSA regulations

Ruth Thomas supplies a guide to the new FSA regulations and how they may affect renumeration. After much media and market speculation, the FSA has just published its Policy Statement 10/19. Most reward professionals were familiar with the potential changes due to the huge coverage it has received fuelled to some degree by political and […]

CIPD: HR must be at the centre of public service change

The coalition government’s plans to reform public services are at risk of failing to deliver any lasting benefits unless HR is placed at the heart of the change process, according to a study.  A joint report entitled ‘Boosting HR performance in the public sector’ published by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and […]

Profit-sharing affects female employee-boss relationships

Relations between female workers and their bosses deteriorate markedly when profit-sharing schemes are introduced, although the same is not true of men, according to research.   A paper released by Dr Colin Green from Lancaster University’s Management School revealed that males were largely unaffected by pressure from their line managers and colleagues to hit group […]

Top ten of 2010 on HRzone.co.uk

It’s been quite a decade online here at HRzone, and we’ve seen a lot of legislation, political issues and other fun and games as human resources has gone from ‘personnel’ to ‘HR’ and witnessed changes in employment law from equality to paternity, recruitment advertising, health and safety and employer liability. Employment law is still a […]

Employees still dogged by money worries

Although fewer employees are likely to be subject to pay freezes next year, six out of 10 are worried that they will not be able to make ends meet financially.  According to a study entitled ‘Employee Attitudes to Pay’ published by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), even though the economy has remained […]

Economic recovery concerns for 2011

Much worse than expected labour market figures have reinforced fears that economic recovery could falter in 2011, experts have warned.  According to the Office of National Statistics, unemployment rose by 35,000 to 2.5 million in the three months to October – the period before Chancellor George Osborne announced details of his spending cuts and VAT […]

Civil service boards will be able to fire senior officials

Non-executive business directors being brought into the heart of the civil service will be given the power to fire senior officials if they fail to fulfil their mandates.  A major shakeup of Whitehall will see four business executives appointed to the beefed-up boards of each of the 16 government departments in order to help the […]

UK hangover costs £620 million

Staff pulling ‘sickies’ due to almighty hangovers after the Christmas party will cost the UK economy £620 million this festive season, with many planning to get more drunk than usual after a stressful year.  According to a survey of 6,000 UK workers undertaken by hotel chain Travelodge, just under two thirds of workers will be […]