Social media still feared by graduate recruiters
Nearly two-thirds of graduate recruiters fear using social media due to reputation risks, despite its potential as a recruitment channel. Concerns center on candidates posting damaging comments publicly, while separate research shows UK employees’ workplace social media use costs businesses £14 billion annually in lost productivity.
Union urges BT employees with damaged hearing to claim
The Communications Workers Union is urging BT engineers with hearing damage from tinnitus and deafness to claim compensation for potential negligence. Workers who used certain tone sets may be eligible for average awards of £7,000, with claims currently being reviewed in Cardiff County Court.
Antisocial hours still need equal pay
Female workers at an NHS Trust won an equal pay case over antisocial hours compensation, ruling that unsocial hours payments must be applied equally to men and women. The six-year legal battle could set a precedent for similar claims across the NHS and other employers.
Unemployment set to get worse for young and old
Unemployment is worsening for young and older workers despite official statistics showing overall job gains, with part-time positions rising and wage growth slowing. Public sector cuts expected in autumn could exacerbate the situation, particularly affecting women and creating a “lost generation” of disengaged youth.
Not much time for consultation on scrapping time off for training
The government has launched a five-week consultation on scrapping the ‘Time to Train’ regulations, which allow workers to request paid time off for training. Business groups support removing the rules, citing compliance costs, while unions argue the regulations help employees develop essential skills for career advancement.
From the top to the tip – Undercover Boss with Colin Drummond, CEO of Viridor
Colin Drummond, CEO of Viridor, went undercover to experience his waste management, recycling, and renewable energy company firsthand. Despite growing the business from £20 million to £262 million in turnover since 1993, he wanted to understand his employees’ experiences and empower decision-making at all levels.
The HP Way: Sexual harrassment and the CEO
HP CEO Mark Hurd resigned following sexual harassment allegations from contractor Jodie Fisher, though the board found no policy violation. The investigation uncovered inaccurate expense reports filed by Hurd, leading to his departure with an estimated $40 million severance package despite being a respected industry leader but controversial among employees for aggressive cost-cutting measures.
HR jargon buster: Assessment language demystified
Understand key assessment terminology with this jargon buster guide, which explains common testing concepts like adaptive testing, accommodations, and classical test theory in plain language. Designed to demystify the scientific and technical language used in modern assessment practices.
Profit sharing motivates employees
Over half of UK workers say profit-sharing or ownership stakes would motivate better job performance, according to a Kelly Services survey of 6,000 employees. The findings also reveal strong support for performance-related pay and workplace health benefits as key components of employee compensation packages.
Bad press for young recruits undeserved
Despite negative stereotypes, young people hired for their first jobs are generally well-prepared for work, according to a UK employer survey. Two-thirds to 84% of employers who hired 16-24 year olds found them well or very well equipped, yet fewer companies are taking on young recruits due to economic pressures.
Millennial training methods
Millennials, digital natives born after 1985, require training approaches that emphasize autonomy, online learning, and individualized career paths rather than traditional hierarchies. Organizations must adapt recruitment and induction strategies to appeal to their preference for self-directed learning and collaborative environments.
Ask the expert: Poorly performing line manager
A manager is underperforming across team motivation, staff development, and performance management, resulting in high turnover and costs. Our experts advise on three approaches: immediate dismissal, a formal performance process, or negotiating a severance agreement.
What’s the point of a training manager?
Training managers play a critical role in organizations, especially those with technical or specialized requirements. Merging standalone training departments into HR can reduce strategic focus and compliance expertise, while effective collaboration between training and HR teams ensures employee capability aligns with business objectives.
Employees want counselling at work
Over half of UK employees want their employer to provide confidential counselling services to manage recession-related stress. A survey found 78% now view workplace stress as an acceptable reason to seek counselling, with 84% believing the recession has increased demand for such support.
CIPD predict 50% rise in redundancies
The Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development predicts redundancies will surge 50% next quarter as employers plan to cut an average of 5.5% of their workforce. The public sector faces the steepest cuts, with 36% of employers expecting job losses, undermining government hopes that private sector growth will offset substantial public sector reductions.
UK managers ‘deluded’
A UK survey reveals that over half of managers misjudge their strengths and weaknesses, with 44% claiming to be excellent people managers when only 14% actually are. The Chartered Management Institute attributes this disconnect to inadequate training and managers being pushed into roles they didn’t want.
‘Nuclear options’ must be considered by Government to avoid strike action
The CIPD warns the government should consider “nuclear options” like strike bans to prevent industrial action, but argues that building trust and engagement with unions offers better long-term solutions. Only 16% of public sector workers currently trust senior leaders, though most would be reluctant to strike and lose pay.
Life and work will continue to blur, predicts study
A Gartner study predicts that work will become increasingly non-routine and informal over the next decade, with blurred boundaries between personal and professional life. By 2015, 40% of enterprise work will be non-routine, characterized by spontaneous collaboration across organizations, flexible schedules, and round-the-clock activity.
Volvo drives forward with e-learning
Volvo Cars replaced third-party training with in-house e-learning and classroom programs using digital video content from 25 Video Arts films. The new approach provides 5,500 UK and Ireland staff with on-demand access to training clips on customer service, communications, and management, enabling continuous learning and skill development.
Employment law takeaways: August
August employment law updates cover key rulings on retirement redundancy caps, transferred collective agreements, dismissal disputes, and compensation awards. These takeaways from Morrison and Foerster provide practical guidance for HR professionals on recent employment tribunal and appellate decisions.
