Fit notes – do they fit the bill?
From April 2010, the ‘fit note’ replaces traditional sick notes, requiring GPs to assess whether employees may return to work after seven days of absence. The new system aims to reduce sickness absence and save the UK economy £240m over ten years by promoting workplace adjustments and earlier return to work.
The fit note – friend or foe?
The new fit note replaces the restrictive Med-3 form, allowing GPs to advise that employees may be “fit enough” to work with adaptations rather than simply declaring them unfit. This reform aims to reduce sickness absence costs and enable earlier workplace return, opening dialogue between patients, employers, and healthcare providers.
Essential HR skills (part 2): 12 things every HR programme manager should know
HR programme managers need 12 essential skills to drive successful organizational change. This guide covers key competencies including developing a shared vision, securing sponsor support, understanding stakeholders, maintaining clear communication, and managing change effectively through a solid business case.
Tribunal ‘fast track’ scheme announced
The Ministry of Justice has launched a fast track scheme to help employment tribunal award winners pursue non-paying employers more easily. The initiative, starting April 6, allows staff to apply to High Court Enforcement Officers to seize employer assets, with a reduced £50 court fee replacing the previous £70.50 charge.
Government takes on long term unemployment
The government launched a “Jobseekers Guarantee” requiring long-term unemployed claimants to accept jobs or work placements or lose benefits. Funded through existing budgets, the initiative extends the Future Jobs Fund and introduces personalized Job Centre Plus support, alongside expanded disability employment programs.
Manifesto for employment – what do you want to see?
Hays recruitment consultancy has released an employment manifesto calling for greater workforce flexibility, reduced employer National Insurance, reformed employment laws, and closer alignment of education with industry needs rather than traditional academic focus.
Graduates: Less is more
An HR body urges the government to reduce its focus on university degrees and promote vocational diplomas instead, citing that nearly 60% of recent graduates cannot find suitable employment. Current plans to expand university places risk creating debt-burdened graduates for jobs that don’t require degrees, the organization warns.
Why bother engaging?
While 92% of companies recognize employee engagement as strategically important, nearly half don’t measure their engagement levels. Modern HR software now makes tracking and analyzing employee engagement simpler than ever, enabling organizations to unlock enhanced performance and competitive advantage.
Survey: HR in the digital workplace
K2 Advisory is conducting a survey to understand how HR professionals shape digital workplace policies, technology adoption, and device usage in modern organizations. The research explores HR’s role alongside IT and business strategy in enabling effective remote work, social media policies, and mobile device management. Complete the anonymous survey to receive findings overview.
Ask the expert: Sickness in an SME
An SME manager seeks advice on handling an employee with 22 sick days in one year, often on Mondays and Fridays, who now claims an underlying health condition. Legal experts recommend conducting an informal fact-finding meeting to understand the medical situation before taking action, while being cautious about disability discrimination concerns.
Don’t drop the ball now – engage for recovery
Staff engagement is crucial for organizational recovery, with the 2010 Best Companies to Work For survey revealing that managers now play a more critical role than senior leadership in motivating employees and driving productivity.
Top tips: Employee engagement
Employee engagement means helping staff find their work meaningful and worthwhile so they perform well and stay motivated. Employers can boost engagement through clear communication, autonomy, recognition, and understanding what matters to each team member.
HR professionals: We need your input!
HR professionals are invited to participate in a survey examining talent practices across recruiting, performance management, compensation, and leadership development. Respondents will receive the full study results and a complimentary report benchmarking their organization against industry standards.
Super trusts to the rescue of pensioners?
The UK pensions industry body NAPF is proposing “Super-Trusts”—low-cost workplace pension schemes that could boost individual retirement savings by up to 30% through economies of scale. The proposals also include a single pension regulator, higher minimum contributions, and a new “Foundation Pension” combining state benefits to reduce means-testing for pensioners.
Unpaid interns ‘may be illegal’
Many employers may be breaking the law by not paying interns who qualify for minimum wage, according to the TUC. Interns undertaking work-related tasks with set hours are legally classified as ‘workers’ and entitled to minimum wage and paid holiday rights, yet nearly one in three internships advertised are unpaid.
Join us for a learning and development special event
TrainingZone Live is a two-day learning and development event for L&D professionals, featuring industry experts like Yehuda Shinar and Charles Jennings. The conference offers separate streams for training managers and providers, with intimate workshops limited to 100 delegates each, providing practical insights to drive organizational performance.
Europeans ‘least engaged’
European employers face a workforce engagement crisis, with nearly two-thirds of staff lacking full commitment to their jobs—significantly worse than North America and Asia Pacific. A global survey of 134,000 workers across 29 countries reveals Europeans prioritize interesting work over salary and that engagement strategies must address generational differences.
Budget reveals funding for skills
The UK Budget allocates £2.5 billion to improve skills and innovation among small businesses, addressing a widening skills gap revealed by national employer surveys. The funding aims to boost workforce proficiency in areas like literacy and numeracy during economic recovery.
A charitable view of learning technologies
Most UK charities plan to increase investment in learning technologies to improve training delivery and staff retention rather than reduce costs. A survey of 80+ charities found that e-learning materials and web-based resources are most popular, while video and games remain underutilized among nonprofit organizations.
Lessons to be learned from Facebook sacking
A UK café manager fired a teenage employee via Facebook with a misspelled, grammatically poor dismissal message over a lost £10 note. The incident highlights poor HR practices and the importance of professional communication when terminating employment.
