‘Equal pay’ firms target ‘unenforceable’ pay secrecy clauses
The abolition of pay secrecy clauses in the Equality Act will make such provisions unenforceable from October, allowing workers and ‘equal pay’ firms to request salary information to uncover discrimination. Legal experts warn private sector employers should expect increased mass discrimination lawsuits as specialist firms shift focus from the saturated public sector.
NEST support high at 75% but teething problems expected
Three quarters of employers support auto-enrolment pensions in principle, but a survey reveals significant concerns about implementation complexity, costs, and eligibility criteria. Employers want delays, simpler regulations, and exemptions for small firms and short-service staff.
2/3 public sector ‘would take pay cut’
Nearly two-thirds of public sector workers would accept pay cuts to keep their jobs, according to a survey, with unemployment expected to exceed 10% outside London and the South of England. The shift reflects growing job insecurity since the coalition government took power.
21st century training: get better value
Tightening training budgets forces organizations to prioritize measurable results over hours spent, creating an opportunity to modernize skills development for 21st-century demands. By shifting focus to practical, outcome-driven programs like apprenticeships, businesses can develop more capable, motivated workforces despite reduced investment.
Stress and sackings mean employees should beware of the email
One in 20 UK employees have been reprimanded or fired for sending inappropriate emails, while over half experience stress from checking work messages during holidays. A study of 2,000 workers found one in five have sent ill-advised emails in the heat of the moment, with men more likely to make email mistakes than women.
Employing graduates: Easy as 1,2,3?
Graduate unemployment remains high at 10%, raising concerns about whether universities adequately prepare students with transferable workplace skills. Traditional degrees are under scrutiny, with proposed two-year programs offering cost savings but risking reduced student development and work readiness.
The importance of networking for HR
HR professionals often overlook networking as essential to their role, yet building relationships, credibility, and trust across the organization is crucial for career success and departmental effectiveness. Internal barriers like fear of impropriety, time constraints, and comfort-zone concerns prevent many HR professionals from networking, despite its significant benefits for reputation and business insight.
Getting staff to pull in the same direction for the good of the organisation
Aligning staff behavior and motivation with organizational goals is essential for sustainable performance improvements. Web-based performance management systems offer cost-effective solutions for SMEs and larger organizations, enabling real-time visibility into employee performance and supporting development while maintaining quality standards across the business.
Radical immigration cap will mean major skills problems
A radical immigration cap would worsen UK skills shortages for employers and drive jobs overseas, warns the CIPD, as training workers takes years. The organization argues for continued skilled migration alongside increased investment in UK workforce development to address long-term labor gaps.
Hey good-lookin’ – want a job?
A survey of 1,256 employers reveals that 67% would favor hiring attractive candidates when qualifications are equal, with 9% admitting they’ve hired based on appearance alone. However, most bosses still prioritize job ability, qualifications, and social skills as the most important hiring factors.
What impact will abolishing the compulsory retirement age have?
Abolishing compulsory retirement ages could extend experienced workers’ tenure, but organizations must adapt. Rather than assuming one-size-fits-all engagement strategies, companies need to segment employee propositions to energize older workers who prioritize stability, mentorship, and work-life balance over promotions and long hours.
The new retirement age – implications for employers and employees
The UK government accelerated plans to raise the retirement age to 66 by 2016 and abolished the default retirement age of 65, aiming to reduce the budget deficit while addressing the pensions crisis. These changes have drawn criticism from unions concerned about impacts on manual workers and lower-income groups, though business reactions are mixed.
‘Cafe culture’ learning needed, says skills minister
UK Skills Minister John Hayes urges businesses to adopt ‘Cafe Culture’ workplace learning, where employees meet informally to share ideas and boost skills. The initiative, backed by 64 major companies including Google and Barclays, aims to foster creative thinking and productive engagement through collaborative team environments.
Not enough jobs suitable for lone parents
Research reveals a severe shortage of flexible and family-friendly jobs could undermine government plans to get lone parents back to work. A charity survey found 97% of lone parents saw few or no flexible positions, while only 11% of advertised jobs were part-time, threatening welfare policy effectiveness.
Greg Secker asks: Are you still having fun?
Greg Secker, founder of Knowledge to Action trader coaching company, shares a career checklist to determine if it’s time for a change. If you answer no to more than two questions about fun, challenge, colleagues, goals, balance, and compensation, Secker suggests it’s time to leave your job.
HR campaigning hard for top talent
HR departments are increasingly hiring specialist brand and talent managers to attract top talent, with such roles jumping from 10% to 28% of companies over four years. Research shows that successful employer branding strategies help organizations recruit better candidates and improve employee engagement, though long-term investment is essential.
Older workforce will present new health challenges for employers
Over 50% of UK workers don’t expect to retire or are unsure when they can afford to, presenting new health management challenges for employers. Occupational health professionals warn that supporting older workers’ wellbeing will require multidisciplinary approaches, including ergonomic workplace design to accommodate age-related physiological changes.
A letter to L&D: HR is your BFF
L&D professionals must view HR as a strategic partner rather than adversary to succeed, according to Nigel Paine. By focusing on demonstrable business impact, embracing organizational engagement, and avoiding isolation, trainers can bridge the gap between promised and delivered value that often undermines both functions.
Over 2/3 of organisations fail to evaluate training
A CIPD survey reveals that over two-thirds of organisations fail to evaluate their coaching programmes, leaving initiatives vulnerable to financial and resource pressures. The CIPD plans to release evaluation guidance to address this gap.
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