Election Live: Expert Panellists
Join expert panellists from business, tax, accounting, and ecommerce sectors as they provide live commentary on tonight’s general election results. The panel includes business leaders, accountants, and entrepreneurs offering insights across small business, taxation, and commerce.
Homeworking: perfect your policy
Develop an effective home working policy to build trust and manage remote staff. A structured approach covering communication plans, health and safety, security, and performance expectations helps managers and home workers align on responsibilities and maintain visibility without micromanagement.
Ask the expert: Should redundancy payment include bonus?
When calculating statutory redundancy pay, whether to include a set bonus and travel allowance depends on whether the bonus is fixed or variable. If the bonus is always the same amount, it should typically be included in the calculation, though a £380 weekly wage cap applies to statutory redundancy payments.
Total reward: the holistic approach
Most public sector workers have never heard of total reward packages, despite evidence that this holistic approach to health and wellbeing significantly improves staff retention and productivity. Research reveals poor communication of these combined financial and non-financial benefits is a major barrier to employee awareness and engagement.
Next government must curb public sector job cuts
A recruitment industry body warns the incoming government must balance job growth with spending cuts to avoid a public sector recession, as hiring rates slip from 12-year highs. The Recruitment and Employment Confederation’s data shows permanent placements declining in April while wage growth accelerates to levels unseen since 2008.
Woman who didn’t complain loses discrimination case
A female City executive lost her £4 million sexual discrimination case after failing to lodge formal complaints about her boss’s behavior and being deemed an unconvincing witness by an employment tribunal.
Compare the policies: employment law implications
The major UK political parties propose significant changes to employment law, with differing approaches to family-friendly policies, equal pay measures, and regulatory reform. The Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, and Labour each outline distinct commitments to extend parental leave, flexible working rights, and pay equality initiatives ahead of the General Election.
Election fever: follow it live here
Follow live coverage of the 2010 UK general election results on 7 May, including expert analysis and real-time Twitter updates. Share your thoughts as one of the closest elections in decades unfolds.
Would you ban email in the office?
SuccessFactors CEO Lars Dalgaard banned internal email for a week to encourage face-to-face communication and reduce depersonalization among employees. The company aimed to replace email with alternative collaboration tools while addressing information overload and improving authentic workplace interactions.
Employer branding and total reward
Employer branding requires alignment with total reward strategies to remain competitive. Organizations can integrate performance-based pay, benefits, and non-financial rewards like career development and flexible working to reinforce their corporate values and engage employees effectively.
Back in ash – Ireland closes airports
Ireland and parts of Scotland close airspace again due to volcanic ash from Iceland’s Eyjafjallajokull volcano exceeding safe engine tolerance levels. The disruption follows April’s week-long travel chaos and renewed flight cancellations as ash concentrations remain hazardous.
Pregnant partner sacking ruled fair due to papertrail
An employment tribunal cleared DLA Piper of sexual discrimination after dismissing a pregnant partner’s claims of unfair sacking. The judge ruled that documentary evidence showed performance issues predated her pregnancy disclosure, making the dismissal fair despite her allegations of harassment and mistreatment.
Managing HR in SMEs
Small and medium enterprises are spending excessive time on HR compliance and regulatory issues, with some dedicating up to 15 hours weekly. This diverts attention from critical business development and customer service activities, highlighting the need for streamlined HR management processes.
Energy boosting tips – perform at your best
Maintain steady energy throughout the day by eating balanced meals and healthy snacks that stabilize blood sugar. Avoid refined sugary foods that cause energy crashes, and opt for nutrient-dense alternatives like nuts, seeds, whole grains, and protein-rich foods paired with fresh vegetables.
Seven steps to managing attendance
Learn seven practical steps to manage workplace absence effectively. Positive, clear absence management reduces sickness rates, minimizes disruption, and lowers costs. Establish clear policies and maintain communication with employees during critical periods to encourage early returns and prevent long-term absences.
McFarlane vs Relate: Employees must obey policy
The McFarlane v Relate case confirms that employers can require employees to comply with equality and diversity policies, regardless of personal religious beliefs. A counselor’s refusal to provide sex therapy to same-sex couples on religious grounds was deemed insufficient grounds to challenge his dismissal.
New L&D degree launched
The University of Chester and the Training Foundation have launched a Foundation Degree in Learning and Development Practice to professionalize the sector. The two-year part-time program comprises 11 modular courses, with experienced practitioners eligible for 50% credit toward completion.
Election 2010: Are you voting for flexibility?
All three major political parties are championing flexible working in the 2010 election, citing employee and economic benefits. However, businesses implementing these schemes face challenges around management control and productivity, requiring proper systems and reporting to succeed.
How do you teach a new line manager to manage?
Most organizations don’t adequately prepare first-time line managers for their new role, relying instead on generic induction courses or minimal support. Without proper development interventions, newly promoted managers often lack essential skills in performance management, employee development, and leadership, risking team underperformance and talent loss.
Five steps to wellbeing at work
Discover five research-backed strategies to boost your wellbeing at work, including using your strengths daily, building positive social connections, and making healthy choices. Since we spend roughly 30% of our lives working, taking action to improve workplace wellbeing directly impacts your mental and physical health.
