Work Programme targets are “over-ambitious”
The Association of Learning Providers has called on the government to rethink the way it structures its Work Programme-related contracts, warning that the current system could put small firms out of business. The move comes only a week after a Select Committee inquiry heard evidence that the targets set for providers to help […]
Parental leave shake-up “ignores needs of business”
Coalition government proposals to overhaul the current parental leave system have been slammed by employers’ groups as an example of "rushed thinking" that "fundamentally ignores" the needs of business. Speaking yesterday at the launch of a report on parenting by thinktank Demos, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg confirmed that measures formulated by the […]
Book review: ‘Strategic employee surveys’ – Dr Jack W Wiley
Member Jeremy Thorn reviews Jack Wiley’s book, ‘Strategic employee surveys’ for HRzone.co.uk. Find out what he has to say about the title. Title: ‘Strategic employee surveys – evidence-based guidelines for driving organizational success’, by Dr Jack W Wiley. ISBN 978-0-470-88970-1 – Jossey Bass £26.99 Review by Jeremy Thorn I am a sucker for being impressed […]
Engagement – what’s Sir Isaac Newton got to do with it?
As the effects of the Comprehensive Spending Review now filter into the real economy, and with most organisations facing the challenge of doing the same amount of work with less resource, there has probably never been a more important time to engage the workforce. There is plenty of research that makes the connection between engagement […]
Ask the expert: Question regarding redundancy
The experts, Adam Partington and Esther Smith advise on what a vauge redundancy conversation means for an employee. The question: Question regarding redundancy I was in a meeting with my manager last week to discuss topic a. During the meeting my manager raised the issue of redundancy and suggested a possible leave date of […]
Video: How will the default retirement age abolition affect you?
With the news that the coalition intends to go ahead with the abolition of the DRA, it's imperative to know how it will affect your business. Employment lawyer at Pinsent Masons, Sarah Banatvala, explains what approach businesses should take once the law is removed.
Companies could ‘report rivals’ to fraud office
The head of the Serious Fraud Office will invite companies to report rivals that they suspect of corrupt practices later this week following a row over controversial coalition government efforts to water down the Bribery Act. According to the Daily Telegraph, Richard Alderman, head of the SFO, which is to be given sweeping powers to […]
Legal challenge to civil service redundancy scheme changes
The Public and Commercial Services union is to mount a legal challenge over changes to the civil service redundancy compensation scheme this week after its members voted overwhelmingly to reject them. The union will take the matter to the High Court and has already called on the coalition government to reopen negotiations in a bid […]
Healthcare unions hit out at two year pay freeze proposals
Health service unions have rejected “divisive” proposals to introduce a two-year freeze on increments for all staff in England from April in return for an “extremely limited” guarantee of no compulsory redundancies. The British Medical Association joined The Royal College of Nursing and Unison in throwing out suggestions made by the NHS Employers body that […]
Pension age change will ‘hit women and disadvantaged hardest’
Coalition government plans to save £38 billion by bringing forward the age at which workers can claim a state pension will hit women and the most disadvantaged in society hardest, a charity has warned. A new Pensions Bill, which was introduced into Parliament yesterday, will see the State Pension Age for women rise from 60 […]
Stonewall index highlights most inclusive places to work
Stonewall has named the Home Office as the best place to work for lesbian, gay and bisexual people because of its specifically inclusive policies and efforts to embed equality and diversity into everything it does. The Lloyds Banking Group was ranked second in the gay rights charity’s Top 100 Employers index, while accountancy firm Ernst […]
Mums at disadvantage in tough employment market
As unemployment continues to rise, the number of UK employers planning to hire working mums has plummeted over “prejudiced” concerns that family commitments will take precedence over workplace ones. A survey among 1,000 companies undertaken by Regus, which provides outsourced office space, revealed that only just over a quarter intend to hire working mothers over […]
Employment law takeaways for January
Employment law takeaways: our bitesize legal updates for busy HR professionals, provided by Suzanne Horne of Morrison and Foerster. This month; a Polkey reduction, six years to bring an equal pay claim and the BBC is in trouble… again. Arhin v Enfield Primary Care Trust – Unfairly dismissed employee gets no compensation due to Polkey […]
Are you stressed at work?
Many articles on stress concentrate on what the stressed individual can do to relax, actively manage health, reduce the workload, re-arrange priorities and clear away small niggling jobs. All of which is, I am sure, good advice and would give temporary relief, which might just be enough to get a stressed person back on track […]
A paradigm shift in performance management – part two
As addressed in A paradigm shift in performance management – part one, varying contemporary factors have fundamentally changed the requirements of performance management processes. Many changes within organisations and how they operate now impact performance management and many previous ‘givens’ are now being challenged. Here are the most common: Individuals who have clearly defined goals […]
Recruitment levels remain tough as employers exercise caution
Although private sector recruitment slowed only slightly in December, the next few months are likely to be “very tough” employment-wise as employers remain cautious while they wait to see the impact of the coalition government’s austerity measures. According to a study undertaken by management consultancy KPMG on behalf of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, the […]
BBC Tribunal has lessons for whole industry
The entire broadcasting industry needs to look at its diversity practices in the wake of presenter Miriam O’Reilly winning her age discrimination case against the BBC, the corporation has said. O’Reilly, who is aged 53, took the broadcaster to an employment tribunal for age and sex discrimination when she, along with three other female presenters […]
Stress and depression ‘no reason to take time off’
Employers are failing to take staff mental health issues seriously enough, with more than half claiming that anxiety, stress and depression are not good enough reasons to take time off work. According to a survey of 1,822 UK employers undertaken by online therapy and coaching marketplace Mentaline.com, a huge 64% did not consider anxiety as sufficient […]
BA and tube strikes threaten to cast cloud over Royal wedding
BA cabin crews and London Underground drivers are threatening to bring the capital to a halt with industrial action on the day of the Royal Wedding, the UK’s tourist highlight of the year. One official of the Unite union told The Sun newspaper that cabin crews’ next wave of strikes is set to include 29 April […]
Ask the expert: Work-related anxiety
This time the experts, Esther Smith and Martin Brewer give their advice on dealing with an employee away from work with anxiety and an eating disorder. The question: Work-related anxiety We have a junior member of office based staff currently signed off with “work related anxiety and an eating disorder”. The employee has been away […]