Pregnant RAF officer awarded £16,000
A female RAF officer has been awarded £16,000 by an employment tribunal after being removed from her desk-based post in the Falkland Islands due to her pregnancy. The tribunal found she suffered unlawful discrimination and recommended the Ministry of Defence implement individual risk assessments and role adjustments for pregnant employees.
Leadership training should be a ‘national priority’
The Chartered Management Institute urges employers to prioritize leadership training as a national strategy to drive economic growth in Northern Ireland. By 2020, most jobs will require formal qualifications and advanced skills, making investment in workforce development essential for competitive advantage.
Outrage against ‘minority only’ council work placement
Bristol City Council restricted an £18,000 management training scheme to black and ethnic minority graduates, citing under-representation in its workforce. The decision sparked accusations of racial discrimination, though council officials argued the Race Relations Act permits targeted training for under-represented groups.
Union anger at HP plan to axe 9,000 jobs
Hewlett-Packard plans to cut 9,000 jobs worldwide to save up to $700 million annually, sparking union anger over lack of consultation. The restructuring follows HP’s acquisition of EDS services and includes investments in cloud computing and data centre automation.
SMEs could add £15bn by applying HR planning
SMEs could add £15bn to the UK economy by implementing effective HR planning, according to research from Warwick Business School. The study found that companies with planned staff development were 35% more likely to increase profitability, yet fewer than half of SMEs currently use HR planning effectively.
Employment law issues during the World Cup – playing the odds
Employment law issues arise during the World Cup season as staff absences and reduced productivity become major workplace concerns. Employers should implement robust absence policies, consider flexible arrangements for match days, and balance enforcement with morale-building initiatives to manage these challenges effectively.
Cloud Computing and its effect on the HR industry
Cloud computing enables HR departments to scale IT resources flexibly and support remote work arrangements. This shift impacts HR management practices, employee engagement strategies, and the role of in-house IT staff in maintaining data security and risk assessment.
Creating and communicating a total reward culture
A total reward culture helps organisations communicate the full value of employee compensation beyond salary, including benefits, development, and recognition. With 65% of employees unaware of their benefits’ value, implementing total reward statements and effective communication can significantly boost engagement, motivation, and performance.
McDonald’s flexible football league
McDonald’s is leveraging flexible working arrangements to help UK employees balance their shifts around the World Cup, with 84% of staff planning to use options like shift swaps and unpaid leave to watch matches. The initiative reflects McDonald’s commitment to employee well-being while maintaining business operations.
‘Recession stress’ costs employers £26 billion
Work-related stress and depression cost employers £26 billion annually, with recession-driven job insecurity forcing staff to work longer hours and compete with colleagues. A Mind survey found one in ten workers sought GP support, while nearly half experienced low workplace morale and significant mental health impacts.
Jobs up but wages fall, claims job index
Job advertisements in the UK increased 1% in May, but average salaries fell 3% to £31,871, according to the Reed Job Index. Despite rising demand across charity, marketing, and public sector roles, wage growth remained stagnant or declined.
1/4 of employees want to leave
About one in four employees are disengaged and planning to leave their jobs, according to a survey of over 4,000 workers. The exodus is driven by cost-cutting measures including recruitment freezes, pay freezes, and reduced training opportunities that have damaged morale and job satisfaction.
BA union launches new strike ballot bid
Unite union announces plans for a new British Airways cabin crew strike ballot, potentially starting next week, amid ongoing disputes over travel perks and management “bullying” tactics. The action could lead to summer travel disruptions as cabin crew demand restoration of benefits.
It’s the way I tell ’em: keep up the benefit conversation
Many employers invest significantly in employee benefits packages but fail to communicate them effectively to staff. Without ongoing dialogue about what benefits are available and why they matter, companies miss the opportunity to maximize employee appreciation and engagement with their offerings.
The new age of ethical recruitment
The recession has transformed recruitment into a more ethical industry, with surviving agencies now prioritizing merit-based hiring, honest client-candidate matching, and thorough background checks over quick placements. Ethical recruitment practices help recruiters become trusted business partners while ensuring better long-term staff retention and organizational fit.
Ask the expert: Diagnosed with bowel cancer – what rights do I have?
A worker diagnosed with bowel cancer may have rights to shift changes under disability discrimination laws. Employers must make reasonable adjustments if medical evidence shows a change would substantially benefit health. Consulting an employment lawyer about your specific situation is advisable before taking action.
Understanding leadership styles to navigate the leader maze
Effective leadership requires adapting your style to each situation. Leaders must balance team involvement with decision-making control, choosing between directive, consultative, consensual, or delegative approaches based on the specific business context and team dynamics.
Females feel ‘unsupported’ by smaller businesses
Female workers in smaller UK businesses experience nearly twice the sex discrimination of those in larger companies, with almost half of all women feeling unsupported by employers in achieving work-life balance. Research shows 19% of employees in companies with fewer than 10 staff believe men receive better treatment than women, compared to the 10% average across all organizations.
CIPD: For fewer on benefits, address job and skill problems
Welfare reform alone won’t reduce benefit dependency without addressing structural economic issues, according to the CIPD. Poor workplace management, insufficient skills investment, and too many low-paid, insecure jobs create a revolving door between work and unemployment that undermines welfare reform efforts.
Controversial HR outsourcing leads to NHS resignation
The NHS Confederation’s CEO Steve Barnett has resigned following criticism over a failed HR outsourcing project that cost £3.4 million. The Member Model Project aimed to provide pay-as-you-go HR services to NHS Trusts but collapsed after fewer than 20 signed up and the Department of Health re-tendered the NHS Jobs website.
