Now is not the time for employers to short-change staff over outplacement support
RBS’s decision to bring outplacement support in-house risks short-changing redundant employees. While cost-effective on the surface, modern technology-enabled outplacement services offer superior value, providing 24/7 support and longer-term assistance than traditional face-to-face programs.
94% will hack or axe final salary pension schemes
A PwC survey of 179 large companies found 94% plan to reduce or close final salary pension schemes due to unaffordable costs. Meanwhile, 69% of employers lack understanding of auto-enrolment requirements taking effect in 2012, potentially costing up to £1,000 per employee annually.
Council tender advert ‘disturbing’, says rights and equality commission
Northamptonshire County Council issued an unreserved apology after advertising a taxi driver role requiring candidates to be “female, white and non-Muslim.” The tender violated anti-discrimination laws and drew criticism from the Northamptonshire Rights and Equalities Commission for potentially exposing the council to costly legal action.
World Cup fever: Keep calm and carry on, says CMI
The Chartered Management Institute urges UK employers to remain calm about World Cup productivity losses, noting that most staff (60%) prioritize work over football. While bosses fear £1 billion in losses from distracted employees, surveys show only 1% of workers would call in sick to watch matches, though some admit to considering excuses.
Wales gets WISE with sustainable training
Wales has launched the Wales Institute for Sustainable Education (WISE) to offer postgraduate courses in renewable energy, green architecture and sustainable land use. The Heritage Lottery Fund is also providing £1.3 million for work-based training in heritage conservation skills, creating 70 placements for job seekers across Wales.
CIPD: unemployment to hit three million by the second half of 2012
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development warns that government spending cuts will push unemployment to three million by late 2012, with public sector job losses expected to reach 725,000 over five years as the deficit reduction strategy relies heavily on cuts rather than tax increases.
Council ‘Quo’ recruitment campaign off target
Brighton & Hove Council apologized after spending £10,000 on a recruitment campaign with the web address “SayNoToStatusQuo.co.uk,” which offended the rock band and its fans. The humorous attempt to attract radical candidates for director positions backfired spectacularly, prompting the council chief executive to issue an open letter of apology.
Metrics are the key to effective business strategy
HR metrics drive business strategy when organizations move beyond basic headcount tracking to measure people strategy execution. Our research reveals leading companies use sophisticated metrics to inform strategy decisions, prove HR’s business value, and monitor organizational performance across all levels.
Barratt homes discover the ideal time to build their dream workforce
Barratt Homes used the construction downturn to redesign its recruitment process, implementing an online application system with job-specific screening questionnaires. The new approach increased applicant quality while reducing manager screening time, with 52% of candidates self-selecting out after realizing they weren’t suitable for the role.
The future of recruitment: An uncertain world?
Recruitment faces uncertainty amid economic and political changes, though IT job postings showed a 9% increase in early 2010. Companies are reshaping strategies through outsourcing and online hiring methods while traditional recruitment consultants adapt to new sourcing tools.
Poor recruitment practices damaging brands
Poor recruitment practices are costing employers customers and damaging brand reputation. Research shows 19% of jobseekers avoid doing business with companies that provide negative application experiences, with common complaints including lack of feedback, no application acknowledgement, and failure to inform candidates of rejection.
Bad communication real culprit of high staff turnover
Poor communication and unsupportive company culture drive staff turnover more than economic recession, according to performance management specialists. A survey of 4,000 employees found that one in four workers are disengaged and planning to leave, with 13% intending to quit immediately and 11% within the next year.
LV= launch recruitment campaign with a difference
LV= launches an innovative recruitment campaign using image recognition technology. Job seekers photograph staff members on posters and receive personalized recorded messages about working at the company. The multi-channel campaign spans 150+ locations across three UK cities.
Long term planning essential for business recovery
UK employers must adopt long-term workforce planning to ensure sustained business recovery, warns the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. Despite mild optimism about job prospects, only a minority of companies plan beyond one to two years, risking their ability to meet future talent needs.
Ask the expert: Do we need to pay the extra salary?
Employers must honor salary uplift agreements made with employees for taking on additional responsibilities, even if the employee has resigned, unless specific contractual terms state otherwise. Refusing to pay could expose the company to unlawful deduction claims in employment tribunal.
Bonus backlash: Setting the record straight
Effective communication and transparency are essential for justifying bonus structures to employees, especially during economic downturns. HR teams must establish consistent messaging across all levels, engage with staff through surveys and meetings, and clearly explain performance metrics and compensation decisions to rebuild trust and engagement.
Is HR too helpful?
HR’s service-oriented culture can actually hinder the department’s effectiveness and strategic value. An HR director at EMC argues that HR professionals must learn to say no to excessive requests and empower managers to solve problems themselves, rather than over-supporting them.
Sickies cost economy £2.5 billion
A CBI and Pfizer study found that 15% of the 180 million sick days taken by UK workers last year were fake, costing the economy £2.5 billion. While overall absenteeism fell to its lowest level in 23 years, long-term absences and mental health issues remain significant workplace challenges.
An introduction to social recruitment with Bill Boorman
Bill Boorman explores the myths and realities of social recruitment, debunking common misconceptions like the idea that social media is free or a silver bullet solution. Discover how social sourcing actually works and what’s required to successfully attract talent through social channels.
Recession successes invested in training
Organisations that increased training and development spending by an average of 6.2% during the recession significantly outperformed those that cut budgets, according to research among UK employers. However, nearly half prioritised cost-cutting over learning investment, despite clear evidence linking L&D spend to financial performance.
