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 […]
Green jobs for the Welsh valleys
British Gas has opened a green skills training centre in South Wales, with the aim of equipping 1,300 local long-term unemployed and its own engineers with the necessary expertise to handle the emerging technology. The centre, which was opened by Carwyn Jones, First Minister of the Welsh Assembly Government, is based in Tredegar in the […]
BA strike called off – for now
Although an eleventh hour court order has put a stop to 20-days of planned strike action by British Airways cabin crew, disruption is still expected to hit up to 100,000 passengers this week. The High Court ruled at 6pm last night that the walkout by 12,000 staff had to be called off due to a […]
Legal briefing: Equality laws explained
Protecting against discrimination by its nature opposes prejudice and bigoted views. But as three recent high profile cases have highlighted, it can also bring wider beliefs in to conflict, such as religious and ethical points of view. The way in which the courts have tried to reconcile such views in these recent cases has […]
Coping with the ash cloud: a guide for HR
Extreme weather is an issue HR must learn to cope with. With recommendations flying in from all angles, we’ve gathered the top advice to make one digestible guide. With the Icelandic ash cloud making reappearances over the past few weeks, and historic data reminding us that last time the volcano erupted it poured out ash […]
Generation Y – why engaging them is different
We know that Generation Y – people born between 1979 – 1991 – are our leaders of the future, but too many businesses and organisations are still failing to recruit, engage and retain them. A clash in attitudes and outlook between older (the Generation Xs and Baby Boomers) and upcoming generations has created a divide […]
Ask the expert: Can we promote a worker above their supervisor?
Can we promote a worker above their supervisor? Martin Brewer and Esther Smith advise. The question: Can we promote a worker above their supervisor? We have a factory Manager who is responsible for all issues within the factory. He has not been undertaking his duties correctly and during his reviews has said […]
Migration cap ‘needs consultation’ says CIPD
An influential HR body has called for employers to be consulted on the new government’s proposed migration cap because it could leave them struggling to hire the talent required to “survive and thrive” in a still-tentative economic recovery. Stephanie Bird, director of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) said that members had expressed […]
‘Dire’ job figures signpost tough times ahead
‘Dire’ official jobs figures mean that the new government needs to take swift and decisive action to get Britain working again, according to a prominent HR body. Data from the Office of National Statistics indicated that the number of people out of work in the three months to March rose by 53,000 to 2.51 million […]
Train to reduce turnover
While finding ways to ensure an effective work-life balance is the most important factor in keeping hold of older IT workers, training is the key to younger employees’ hearts. These are the finding of new research commissioned by IT and management training provider Global Knowledge and high tech web site, TechRepublic. The study found that […]