From personnel management to business execution: the role of technology in the evolution of human resources
Technology is transforming HR from basic personnel management—handling payroll and benefits—to strategic business execution focused on aligning workforce talent with company goals. This shift determines whether HR gains influence as a strategic partner or remains viewed as an administrative function.
Battle of the sexes: Employees prefer female managers
A UK survey of 1,182 workers found that 38% prefer female managers, citing their understanding and assertiveness. While 29% preferred male bosses and a third saw gender as irrelevant, employees reported better relationships with female leaders overall.
UK managers lack leadership skills
A UK study reveals that British managers rank 17th globally for leadership effectiveness, scoring only 47% compared to India’s 72%. The research identifies communication, fairness, and employee engagement as critical traits of effective leaders, with management quality significantly impacting staff engagement levels.
UK ‘too accomodating’ to immigration appeals, claims inspector
A UK immigration inspector has criticized the Border Agency for being too lenient with employers of illegal migrants, collecting only £5.6 million of £40 million in imposed fines since 2008 and taking an overly accommodating approach to appeals.
Globalisation creates challenges for HR
A new IBM study reveals that globalisation is reshaping HR challenges as companies compete for global talent. With India and China increasingly hiring in North America and Europe, Western firms face growing difficulty retaining skilled workers as opportunities and living standards improve in emerging markets.
Migrant worker cut a concern
The Migration Advisory Committee recommended cutting UK migrant worker visas by up to 80% by 2015, sparking concerns from employers and policy experts who warn the cuts could damage economic growth and public services while failing to meet the government’s immigration targets.
Why not ‘out-of-the-box’ integrated solutions?
Out-of-the-box SaaS solutions offer quick implementation and lower costs, but often lack the customization and unique functionality that individual organizations need. These prescriptive systems can force users to adopt vendor-defined processes rather than their own, limiting long-term value and user adoption.
Employment Law takeways for November
Key employment law updates for November covering dismissal procedures, maternity rights, and discrimination claims. Learn when dismissal by post becomes effective and recent rulings affecting UK employer obligations around paternity leave benefits.
What staff really want… a better pension contribution
European employers can boost staff retention by increasing pension contributions, with nearly half of workers willing to sacrifice pay for better retirement benefits. A survey of 7,500 workers across Europe’s leading economies found other appealing benefits include income protection and savings assistance for major expenses.
New skills strategy will cost employers
The coalition government’s new skills strategy will require large employers to fully fund basic skills training for workers over 24 from 2013-2014, while small-to-medium businesses pay half. The move follows a 25% cut to further education budgets and scrapping of the Train to Gain scheme, with costs potentially offset by a £100 million co-funding pot for SMEs and proposed training levies.
Improving performance management in medium-sized businesses
Medium-sized businesses often struggle with performance management because they’ve outgrown small-business simplicity but lack the comprehensive systems of large organizations. Implementing structured performance management can increase revenue per employee, reduce turnover among top performers, and improve compliance.
Uncertainty despite private sector coming up with jobs
Private sector job creation is offsetting public sector cuts, with employers showing a net positive hiring outlook of +11. However, uncertainty about 2011 prospects has made employers cautious, with public sector expected to shed 14% of workforce on average.
Proposed pension solvency rules may cause employers to give up and close schemes
UK employers may close occupational pension schemes if proposed European solvency rules requiring insurance-like reserves take effect, warns the National Association of Pension Funds. The stricter requirements could force companies to increase funding significantly, potentially causing many to abandon defined-benefit schemes despite existing UK protections.
Ask the expert: Internal job post -applications after closing date?
Employers generally have discretion to accept job applications after a closing deadline, though discrimination concerns could arise. Legal experts advise that without contractual provisions or evidence of discriminatory motives, employees have limited recourse through grievance procedures.
Where’s my office?
As remote work becomes standard practice, HR must ensure employees have adequate collaboration tools and technology support. A recent survey found nearly half of workers lack proper communications tools for flexible working, revealing gaps between senior and junior staff access. HR and IT leaders need to collaborate closely to implement comprehensive remote work policies that go beyond basic email and phone capabilities.
US employee may have been fired illegally due to Facebook comment
The US National Labor Relations Board has accused American Medical Response of illegally firing an employee for criticizing her supervisor on Facebook. The agency claims the dismissal violated federal labor protections that guarantee workers the right to discuss working conditions, even on social media.
Banks to halve bonuses this year
UK banks are negotiating to cut New Year bonuses from £7 billion to £4 billion to avoid tax penalties and public backlash. However, they face legal risks from competition law if they jointly agree on a cap, and worry top talent may relocate to less-restricted financial centres like New York.
Make your organisation a lean, green, motivating machine
Green workplace initiatives help organizations cut costs while motivating staff. Small and medium-sized businesses can significantly reduce their environmental impact through energy efficiency, waste reduction, and employee engagement, creating both financial and motivational benefits.
Redundancy consultation may be scrapped
UK workers could lose their right to be consulted before redundancy decisions if the European Court of Justice rules in favor of the US Government’s appeal. The case stems from a 2006 US military base closure in Southampton that cost 200 jobs, with the ECJ now asked to clarify whether employer consultation must occur before or after redundancy decisions are made.
HR not ready for future workforce headaches
Most HR departments lack awareness of upcoming workforce challenges, including differing needs of younger and older employees, increased remote working, and shrinking office space—issues that will intensify as workers extend their careers beyond retirement age.
