Social media – the new learning diet pill?
Social media is often promoted as the quick fix for e-learning’s limitations, but like weight-loss pills, it’s not a genuine solution. True learning requires active engagement and reflection, not passive consumption of posts, and relying on platforms like Facebook raises serious concerns about data privacy and commercial exploitation.
Recruiters suggest NI holiday to boost job creation
Recruiters are calling for a year-long national insurance holiday to boost small business hiring and address rising youth unemployment. The REC warns that over 20% of young people aged 16-24 are jobless, while the TUC highlights an emerging female employment crisis.
Mum mentoring and menopause guidance for women in work
Asda launched a mentoring scheme pairing mothers on maternity leave with working mum mentors, while the TUC published guidance for employers supporting female workers through menopause. Both initiatives address workplace challenges women face during major life transitions.
Police may ‘take to streets’ over cuts
Police officers threaten to take to the streets in protest over proposed cuts to pay and allowances that could reduce take-home earnings by up to 25%, following criticism of a government review recommending £1.1 billion in savings through reduced overtime and abolished payments.
Redeploying employees – how to develop a successful strategy
Learn how organisations can redeploy employees effectively during restructuring to minimise redundancy costs. Discover structural mapping techniques, skills assessment tools, and strategies for matching employees to new roles within the company.
28,000 Police jobs to go
England and Wales police forces will lose 28,000 jobs, including 12,000 officers, over four years due to government budget cuts of up to 20%. The Association of Chief Police Officers warns the cuts will disproportionately affect urban areas with higher crime rates and greater reliance on public funding.
Tribunal system broken: time for overhaul says CIPD
The employment tribunal system is “broken” and needs radical overhaul, according to CIPD research showing nearly 70% of employers believe they lack protection against unjustifiable claims. The survey reveals employers face rising malicious complaints, speculative discrimination claims, and weakened dispute resolution mechanisms.
Ask the expert: Redundancy of backfilled post
When a seconded employee returns to their original post and the backfilled position becomes redundant, employers must follow standard redundancy and unfair dismissal procedures. The approach depends on contractual arrangements, length of service, and whether the backfill employee was informed the role was temporary.
International Women’s Day: The equality debate – how far have we come?
International Women’s Day marks a century of progress in gender equality, yet significant gaps remain in male-dominated fields like IT. While legislation and role models have advanced women’s workplace opportunities, persistent barriers—from childhood stereotypes to skill shortages—continue limiting women’s participation in technology careers.
£50 million to stop skills shortages holding back economy
The UK government has allocated £50 million to a Growth and Innovation Fund aimed at helping employers address skills shortages limiting economic growth, with potential to reach £100 million through employer contributions. The fund will support targeted training, professional standards, and National Skills Academies through 2015.
Axe 50p tax, says CBI
The CBI has called on the government to scrap the 50p tax rate and relax employment protections to boost growth and job creation. The employers’ lobby group urged Chancellor George Osborne to prioritize these measures in his March Budget alongside enhanced funding schemes for small-to-medium enterprises.
Unemployment: ‘poor job matching’ is the problem
UK Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith argues that unemployment stems from poor job matching rather than job scarcity, citing half a million unfilled vacancies. He contends that welfare reform and better training support can help jobless workers fill existing positions, though official forecasts predict unemployment could reach 9% in 2012.
Public sector pension reform may spark action
A Treasury review recommends sweeping public sector pension reforms including replacing final salary schemes with average earnings-based plans and raising retirement age to 65. Union leaders warn the changes could spark widespread industrial unrest among public workers already facing pay freezes and job cuts.
Overworked employees napping in the office
One in ten office workers have slept overnight at their desks in the past year as workloads surge, while many work late, skip lunch breaks, and take assignments home. Despite longer hours and increased responsibilities, 58% report stagnant or reduced pay, highlighting a growing work-life balance crisis.
Employers should train youngsters to develop business skills
A government-commissioned review recommends subsidizing employer training programs and internships for 16-19 year-olds to develop workplace skills. The report suggests overhauling England’s vocational education funding system and creating technical schools that partner with employers and universities to better prepare young people for the labor market.
Pay increases still lag behind inflation
Average pay rises have reached their highest level in two years at 2.8%, but remain far below inflation rates of 4-5.1%, leaving workers’ real wages significantly squeezed and unlikely to recover until 2011.
Succession planning, skills and performance top priorities for HR
Succession planning, skills development, and performance management are emerging as HR’s top priorities as organizations shift focus from cost-cutting to growth. A global survey reveals that over half of companies struggle with skills shortages, particularly at supervisor and mid-management levels, as they compete in an intensifying war for talent.
Sustainability: Megatrend? Mega-opportunity for HR…
Sustainability is emerging as a business mega-trend comparable to quality management and IT, reshaping how companies compete and creating both opportunities and challenges for HR professionals to develop long-term talent strategies aligned with corporate sustainability goals.
Employee engagement – align organisational aims with employee desires
Employee engagement requires aligning organizational purpose with individual employee desires, not simply imposing collective meaning. Research shows British workers are among Europe’s most disengaged, with many willing to leave their jobs despite declining trust in leadership.
UK small business ‘not prepared for disruption’
Most UK small businesses experienced disruption from weather, illness, or transport issues, yet nearly a quarter lack contingency plans. Remote working technology is recommended as a cost-effective business continuity solution for SMEs.
