Who owns engagement?
The importance of employee engagement is a proven factor to having a positive impact on the bottom line. For an organisational strategy to really embrace employee engagement it needs buy-in from the highest echelons in order to be a success, as well as buy-in and commitment from those on the ground too. Traditional views of […]
The real cost of employee benefits
The outlook is still bleak for employees with regards to their pay. With employers continuing to err on the side of prudence rather than open their purse strings, wages are unlikely to rise in the foreseeable future. How can benefit packages give ROI and prove valuable? Employee benefits packages have always played an important role […]
We need a fresh approach – better benefits on a budget
In this feature with a difference, eavesdrop on these team conversations and learn about benefits on a budget. Meet the team (an entirely fictional team, but each with a foot firmly in reality…well it’s my reality so I’m setting the rules here). John: 62 – Finance DirectorJohn is a Newcastle fan because everything is black […]
Talent and innovation the key to Microsoft success
People are crucial to Microsoft’s ability to innovate, argues the firm’s CEO Steve Ballmer after the technology giant was named as the best place to work in Europe for the third year in a row. Microsoft won the Best Large Workplace in Europe 2010 award at a gala ceremony at the Great Place to Work […]
Competition time: Win £50 of National Garden Gift Vouchers
Submit your favourite barbecue recipe for a chance to win £50 to spend on your garden! This competition is now closed but we have more giveaways on site! Check the business lifestyle section. The lucky winner was annswan with her Chicken Cajan Kebabs! Congratulations, and a big thank you to everyone who entered. No matter […]
NHS age discrimination manager awarded £147,000
A senior NHS manager has been awarded £147,000 after winning a battle to prove that she was passed over for promotion because of her age. An employment tribunal in Leeds found that Linda Sturdy, 60, who worked in the breast screen clinic at the city’s Seacroft Hospital for 17 years, was subject to age discrimination […]
Generation standby: 20% would turn down a job which banned Facebook
A huge one in five people would turn down a job that prevented them from using social media at work as the boundaries between work and home continue to blur, according to a new report. The report dubbed ‘Web 2.0 in the Workplace 2010’, which was undertaken by security software provider Clearswift, indicated that so-called […]
Containing labour costs key priority for business
The majority of employers are keen to keep a lid on pay rises this year as containing labour costs remains one of their top priorities. But following an unprecedented year when many staff accepted curbs on pay and changes to working patterns to protect jobs during the recession, seven out of ten bosses appreciate […]
Skills investment in UK manufacturing needs to be protected if it is to lead recovery
Will a coalition be good for manufactuing? Proskills UK welcomes the new coalition but Terry Watts, CEO of Proskills UK, and New Balance HR Director Paul Kennedy have called for further action. “We believe that the partnership between the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties has great potential for maximising the employer voice in the […]
New qualification in Strategic Quality Management launched
The University of Portsmouth has developed a tailored work-based learning programme in Strategic Quality Management for a high tech giant in order to support key staff in implementing a range of change projects. The University has created an 18-month long Masters course for 22 potential high fliers at Hewlett-Packard (HP), which have been chosen out […]
Beat the recession: be a great place to work
Companies ranked among the top 100 best places to work in Europe beat the recession last year, seeing revenues, productivity and recruitment activity all increase at above average levels despite the down economy. Sales among such organisations grew by about 15%, while productivity rose by 13%. They also experienced low levels of staff turnover at […]
Employers beware: Social network comments can be used in court
Employers would be advised to introduce policies that prohibit the posting of work-related content on social networking sites (SNS) following a landmark ruling in the US courts indicating that such material is fair game for discovery. The situation came to light during a sexual harassment lawsuit brought by the US Equal Opportunity Commission on behalf […]
NHS saving for ‘brutal job cuts’
The NHS in England is setting up a £2 billion fund to cover redundancy costs as staff brace themselves for “brutal” job cuts to help plug a £20 billion financial hole. For the first time, this year’s national operating framework, in which the Department of Health sets out the NHS’ priorities, requires the country’s 152 […]
Will public sector pay freeze be good for UK or just cause misery?
Business leaders have called for an immediate two-year freeze on public sector workers’ pay to help cut the UK’s budget deficit despite union protests that such a move would cause “misery” as inflation hits 5.3%. Richard Lambert, director general of employers’ lobby group claimed that selected public sector pay and recruitment freezes could save £18 […]
Layla’s on the case: The bullying line manager
Layla investigates real-life cases and brings the conclusions to HRzone.co.uk, shedding light on important employment law issues. This month: is a company under an obligation to take disciplinary action against a line manager for bullying when the complainant was intially happy with an apology but has now changed her mind? The case:An employee has raised […]
Exploring the engagement and retention relationship
With resignation on the increase it makes good business sense to focus on retaining the talent you already have. Recent research from Oxfordshire-based management consulting firm, The Focus Group finds that 60% of the 950 executives polled will be looking to jump ship on the economic upturn, thus creating a major void in 450 organisations. […]
Is there reward after recession?
Catherine Chubb considers the impact of changes to rewards as we emerge from recession. During the recession, surveys showed that around half of UK workers experienced a cut in pay, working hours or a loss of benefits. The most common cost-cutting approach taken by employers during the downturn was a salary freeze. But what is […]
Facebook? More like Faceache, as 10% complain about boss online
Just over one in ten under 35 year-olds have posted derogatory or negative comments about their boss or employer on a social networking site, although the number drops to only 4% of over 45s, according to a study. Unsurprisingly however, the online poll undertaken among 2,384 UK adults in March this year by YouGov on […]
Met’s HR system £10 million over budget
After being attacked by David Cameron in the leader’s debates during the general election, there’s more bad news for the Met as it is revealed their HR system is £10 million over budget. The Metropolitan Police Service’s new HR system is currently £10 million over budget and running six months late, according to a report […]
Only 1/3 want to retire
Only 31% of UK workers say they want to retire between the ages of 60 and 65, according to a recent survey. However, with 29% seeing themselves giving up work between 66 and 70, 12% planning to work beyond the age of 70, and one in 10 saying they don’t believe that they will […]