Ask the expert: Occupational health and stress
Occupational health professionals can support employees on work-related stress leave, though expertise in mental health varies. Employees feeling unable to return due to company-caused stress should seek legal advice promptly before resigning, as claims may include personal injury, disability discrimination, or constructive dismissal.
Job cuts hit NHS and IBM
The NHS faces potential job cuts of up to 36,000 nursing positions as it seeks £20 billion in spending reductions, while IBM considers cutting 299,000 permanent staff roles and rehiring them as contractors. Both moves highlight growing pressure across public and private sectors to reduce personnel costs.
Pensions reform: support is waning
Support for UK pension reforms is declining sharply among employers and employees due to concerns about high charges, complexity, and long-term viability. New research reveals employer backing has halved since 2006, with particular resistance from smaller firms.
Are your employees aware of your sickness policy?
Many employees are unaware of their company’s sickness benefits, with a survey revealing up to 25% of businesses don’t routinely inform staff about sick leave policies or Group Income Protection coverage. Employers often withhold these details despite no evidence that transparency increases absence, missing an opportunity to improve employee engagement and motivation.
Layla Bunni’s On the Case: Drug testing at work
Explore a real employment law case examining whether an employee’s dismissal based on mandatory blood alcohol testing can be appealed on data protection and human rights grounds. Discover the legal requirements employers must meet when implementing drug and alcohol testing policies.
Positive discrimination gets thumbs down
A survey of 545 senior UK business leaders shows strong opposition to positive discrimination laws, with 81% opposing priority hiring for under-represented minorities and 86% against mandatory female board quotas. Business figures emphasized that employment decisions should be based on merit alone.
Social media? We’re seeing the light, say managers
UK businesses are increasingly embracing social media and Web 2.0 technologies in the workplace, with 61% now encouraging their use compared to just 11% three years ago. However, security concerns remain the primary barrier to adoption, with managers and employees requiring better guidance on safe practices.
HR – do we have the technology, and do we love the technology?
HR managers are increasingly embracing social media and workplace technology for communication, recruitment, and brand building, though concerns remain about managing employee productivity, work-life balance, and organizational risks in this digital landscape.
73% of HR think there’s too much employment law
A new survey finds 73% of UK HR professionals believe employment law is overly regulated, with 55% calling for simplification as a government priority. The complexity creates significant costs and confusion, particularly for small and medium-sized employers managing employment claims.
CIPD warns UK must prepare for 10% public sector cut
The CIPD warns the UK public sector must prepare for a potential 10% workforce reduction in the next government’s term, cutting approximately 500,000 jobs from the current 5.8 million roster. The organization states that addressing the UK’s national debt at 80% of GDP requires tackling public sector inefficiency, contrary to what major political parties’ manifestos suggest.
Ask the expert: Rest day after night shift
Employers are not legally required to provide an extra rest day after night shifts under the Working Time Regulations, as long as minimum rest periods between shifts are met. However, part-time employees must not be treated less favorably than full-time staff regarding paid rest time.
Opening up talent for business success
Integrating talent management with diversity strategies allows organizations to access and develop talent from the widest possible pool, boosting business performance. New CIPD research reveals that while leading practitioners recognize this connection, many organizations haven’t yet joined these approaches together.
From delegating to overtaking: the purpose of empowerment
Empowerment differs fundamentally from delegation and buck-passing—it’s about giving employees freedom to define their own approach and develop their responsibilities within organizational boundaries. Successful empowerment requires a clear framework, ongoing support, and genuine authority alongside responsibility.
It’s only words – the war against jargon continues
The Local Government Association’s war on jargon fails because the real problem isn’t the words themselves—it’s the organizational culture that produces them. Changing language requires changing mindsets, not just publishing blacklists.
Wellbeing: Your best posture ever
Bad posture causes muscle imbalances, joint strain, and injury risk, but corrective exercises and proper alignment can improve your confidence, strength, and long-term musculoskeletal health.
Workday’s HCM credentials boost Cloud Computing offering
Workday, founded by PeopleSoft legend Dave Duffield, has closed the functionality gap with legacy HR and payroll systems, attracting enterprise customers like Sun Life Financial and Lenovo. The cloud HCM provider’s quarterly bookings have increased over 50%, primarily replacing PeopleSoft and SAP solutions globally.
Do you need to pay employees stranded by volcano?
When a volcano strands employees abroad, employers have no legal obligation to pay them under UK law, unless the contract specifies otherwise. However, many employers choose to pay absent staff to maintain morale and avoid administrative burdens, weighing business interests against employee goodwill.
No training = no motivation
Lack of workplace training is a major driver of employee turnover, with 19% of British workers leaving jobs due to insufficient training opportunities. Nearly half of employees say relevant training would compensate for missing pay rises or promotions, yet most employers fail to invest in staff development.
Organisational development – a schizophrenic profession?
Organisational Development practitioners navigate competing theoretical frameworks—conventional approaches emphasizing planned, predictable change versus contemporary views embracing complexity and emergence. Successfully integrating both perspectives through “both/and” thinking enables OD professionals to bridge organizational divides and adapt to complex business environments.
TrainingZone Live – grab your early-bird discount
Save £200 with early-bird tickets to TrainingZone Live, a two-day event for L&D professionals, HR practitioners, and consultants featuring industry experts like Yehuda Shinar and Charles Jennings. CMI and BILD members receive an additional 50% discount.
