Union calls for civil disobedience to beat cuts
The Trades Union Congress is expected to back coordinated campaigns and industrial action against public sector budget cuts, with union leaders warning that pensions could become a flashpoint. Trade unionists are divided on tactics, with some calling for civil disobedience while others caution that strikes could alienate the public.
Sexual harrassment at work widespread and unreported
Nearly one in ten women experience sexual harassment at work, yet less than half report it due to fears about career damage and not being taken seriously. Sexist comments are the most common complaint, with many women avoiding formal reports despite wanting to lodge them.
US and European brain drain on horizon
Asian companies in China, Taiwan, and India are aggressively expanding their workforces, while US and European employers remain reluctant to hire, raising concerns about a potential brain drain to Asia. According to Manpower’s Employment Outlook Report, China’s net employment indicator reached 47%, compared to just 5% in the US and 1% in the UK.
Employment law takeaways for September
September employment law updates cover three key cases: worker status determined by substitution rights, proper comparators in disability discrimination claims, and equal pay requirements for individual terms rather than overall packages.
Uncertainty taking toll on morale
Economic uncertainty is taking a heavier toll on staff morale than recession itself, with four in five senior managers struggling to secure employee buy-in for tough decisions. Nearly half report employees now distrust leadership sincerity, while two-thirds confirm company morale has declined significantly.
Dying for work – over 20,000 every year, claims TUC
More than 20,000 UK workers die prematurely each year from work-related causes including occupational cancer, chemical exposure, and fatal accidents, according to TUC research. Additionally, 1.2 million suffer from work-related illnesses ranging from musculoskeletal disorders to mental health problems, with many workplace injuries going unreported.
Employees win over lack of redundancy consultation
An industrial tribunal ruled that electrical contractor J&G Engineering breached its duty to consult with 60 employees before making them redundant during liquidation, awarding them 90 days’ back pay. The tribunal found the company took no steps to provide consultation and offered no mitigating circumstances for the failure.
SMEs recognise value of social media
Small-to-medium businesses increasingly recognize social media’s value for networking and customer acquisition, with over half using platforms regularly and three out of five reporting positive business impact. Engineering firms lead adoption at 80%, while barriers for non-users include time constraints and lack of customer presence on these channels.
Ask the expert: Is this redundancy fair?
Martin Brewer and Esther Smith advise on a redundancy selection dispute, cautioning that limiting redundancy pools only to part-time workers may constitute unlawful discrimination. The experts recommend basing pools on work type and department rather than contract hours to avoid legal exposure.
Has Britain’s public sector got talent?
Britain’s public sector faces mounting challenges in attracting and retaining talent amid pay freezes and anticipated job cuts. Effective talent management and strategic workforce planning are essential for genuine reform, requiring public sector employers to shift focus from cost-cutting to organizational transformation.
Making your business a lean, mean, people machine
Lean business management’s success depends on understanding people and diversity, not just standardizing processes. Effective organizational change requires team buy-in and leveraging the unique strengths of diverse employees to achieve sustainable improvement and customer value.
Tea workers expected to train cheaper replacements
Angry tea workers at Twinings’ North Shields factory are being forced to train Polish replacements ahead of the plant’s closure and relocation to Poland. The company plans to transfer production by September 2011, resulting in 263 job losses while requiring staff to train their own replacements.
Half of employers fear ‘old won’t go’
Most employers are unprepared for the October abolition of default retirement ages, with over three-quarters fearing older workers will refuse to leave even if underperforming. Few have made concrete plans to scrap retirement ages, raising concerns about workforce planning, generational fairness, and retention costs.
Workplace trust eroded by recession
Recession-driven layoffs and office closures have significantly eroded workplace trust, particularly among younger employees and public sector workers. Organizations that chose redundancies saw CEO trust plummet to 51 out of 100, compared to 68 for those implementing flexible working arrangements instead.
Tube strikes after ACAS talks break down
London Underground faces 24-hour rolling strikes starting today after failed Acas talks between management and unions RMT and TSSA. The 10,000 union members are protesting plans to cut 800 staff positions in ticket offices and stations, citing safety concerns.
HR is going into the war for talent unarmed
Employers struggle to offer competitive pay and benefits packages needed to attract talent, according to HR research. The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development found that 15% of organizations feel poorly prepared to handle reward risks, with rising pension costs and insufficient cash creating significant challenges.
Training not supporting business objectives
Most organizations with coaching programs fail to align them with business objectives, instead focusing on individual development. Additionally, 15% of employers lack any measurement system to evaluate coaching outcomes, and many coaches receive no formal training themselves.
Bosses confident growth is around the corner: podcast
European business leaders are showing renewed confidence, with over half predicting minimum 10% growth by end of 2011. The study reveals 40% plan to invest in existing talent, while over half expect to increase staffing in the next 12 months.
Top five tips for a sustainable business culture which sticks
Build a sustainable business culture with five practical strategies: embrace remote work and cloud technology, make recycling effortless, upgrade to reusable kitchen items, research energy efficiency investments, and relax dress codes to reduce heating and cooling needs. These long-term changes demonstrate genuine commitment to sustainability and employee satisfaction.
How to avoid the Employment Tribunal
Employment Tribunal claims increased over 56% between 2008-10, driven by redundancies, equal pay disputes, and compensation culture. Employers can minimize tribunal risks by establishing clear employment contracts, implementing robust policies, addressing issues promptly, and maintaining proper documentation.
