Ask the expert: Demotion – any choice?
Does an employee have to accept a demotion and hefty pay cut? Esther Smith and Matthew Whelan advise. The question: Three years ago a relation was offered the opportunity to move from a ‘hands on’ role to an office-based role. He was given a letter which stated that it should not be considered a […]
Redundancies are set to almost double in the first quarter
Redundancies are set to almost double in the first quarter with nearly a third of public sector employers planning to cut jobs and the private sector unable to make up the shortfall despite signs of renewed hiring activity. A survey undertaken among 700 organisations by market researchers IPSOS Mori indicated that the jobs market would […]
53% of UK employees express passion for their jobs
With Valentine's Day right around the corner, the Kenexa Research Institute, a division of Kenexa, a global provider of business solutions for human resources, researched, "What makes an employee passionate about his/her job?" Having passion for one's job is defined by the extent to which employees are excited about their work, feel a sense of […]
Can you enforce your dress code?
Differing legal opinions on the implications of a crucifix-wearer losing her discrimination appeal against British Airways means that it is still unclear what dress codes employers may enforce without risk of litigation. Christian Nadia Eweida today lost her appeal against a ruling that cleared BA of indirectly discriminating against her on the basis of her […]
Saying ‘I love you’ (in a work-appropriate way)
How often should you say thanks? Saying thank you to your employees is something which should be second nature and shouldn't happen just once a year. Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton explain how often you should tell your employees you appreciate them. When we speak to corporate groups, we'll send out pre-surveys that ask employees […]
Dinnerladies win discrimination case over Council
A ‘groundbreaking’ ruling, which found a Yorkshire council guilty of sex discrimination for paying bonuses to men but not women, could open the way for similar compensation claims across the country. The Appeal Court backed a claim that 13 female carers and dinnerladies working for Sheffield City Council had been subjected to discrimination because they […]
Engagement top priority to aid retention, says survey
The top priority for a huge two thirds of HR directors over the year ahead will be boosting employee engagement in order to improve retention rates as businesses start moving out of recession. Second on the list is being able to demonstrate a return on investment on proposed HR projects, which are under more scrutiny […]
Public sector management must improve, say experts
While a number of local authorities are introducing performance-related pay structures across their workforces, it appears that front line management will need to improve if staff are to see the benefits. According to a report by the Local Government Chronicle, Camden London Borough Council and both Essex and Kent County Councils are among a group […]
HR tip: Confirming contract change
Learn HR is a leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications, and is experienced in advising on common HR and payroll problems. A wide selection of tips and guidance can be seen below. HRzone.co.uk recommends that any tips are taken as a starting point for guidance only. This week, do […]
Snow days: how to cope as a business and deal with employees
Sue Evans, a partner at Lester Aldridge, offers her advice to employers about how to cope when severe weather leaves your employees snowbound or without childcare. Businesses have experienced considerable disruption so far this year as a result of the severe weather that the country has suffered, and it’s a situation likely to repeat. Many […]
Transforming leadership
Transform HR in your organisation by meeting the leadership challenge of understanding the business and the people you lead, explains Christian Hasenoehrl. No business sector has journeyed like HR to find it’s place and path. No other department has undergone such radical transformation, has questioned itself more deeply or has doubted itself more strongly. Rather […]
Bonuses – a balancing act
How do you maintain your well-earned reputation as a competitive employer and, at the same time, comply with the new tougher public and regulatory expectations? It is no easy task striking a balance between legal requirements and commercial pressures when putting together an effective remuneration package. The answer is that remuneration should be aligned with […]
Harmonising HR and payroll – how technology can help
A new partnership is blossoming in Britain’s public and private sector: HR and payroll departments that have traditionally operated in isolation are getting together. As a result, technology is evolving rapidly to streamline the growing partnership. Graham Whitehouse, MD of the software division at HR and payroll firm Selima, looks at how well bespoke or […]
The worst HR jargon – beat the buzzwords
Jargon is an affliction which plagues the business world with a plethora of meaningless cliches and pointless buzzwords, and HR is no exception. We’ve pinpointed a few of the worst offenders: can you remember what jargon floored you when you started working in HR – and what really grates with you now? The workplace is […]
Jobs, skills, growth? Not likely this year, say Unions
Union research indicating that the rate of pay freezes will accelerate this year has been published just as an influential employment advisory body hosted an international conference to focus on the UK’s future strategy for skills, jobs and growth. The new study undertaken by the Labour Research Department found that pay freezes were now more […]
Workplace bullying on the rise – take control
Workplace bullying is on the rise thanks to the effects of the recession, but there are some key self defence tactics employees can use to beat the office bullies, reports Jamie-Natalie Cross. Reports of workplace bullying have doubled over the past ten years and more than one in three employees have fallen victim to intimidation […]
New unlimited fines for corporate manslaughter
As of next Monday, employers convicted of corporate manslaughter could be subject to unlimited fines, according to a new judgement issued by the Sentencing Guidelines Council. The Council, which aims to promote consistent sentencing across courts in England and Wales, indicated that penalties related to the death of a staff member or members of the […]
75% leave employees without guidance on social networking
A worrying three quarters of UK organisations have no formal appropriate usage policies in place relating to social networking sites despite acknowledging that they could help protect intellectual property and guard against the leakage of sensitive corporate information. These are the findings of a survey undertaken among 2,100 employers by recruitment agency, Manpower. The report […]
HMRC computer glitch causes double the trouble for taxpayers
Millions of taxpayers could find themselves paying too much income tax and/or being taxed twice for company cars and private health insurance unless HM Revenues and Customs fixes its new computer system by April. A glitch in the government department's new pay-as-you-earn applications, which were meant to streamline the collection of PAYE and National Insurance […]
Graduates could cause HR headache
Desperate university graduates are likely to cause HR professionals headaches over the year ahead by applying for as many jobs as possible, formally accepting multiple formal offers and making their final decision at the last minute. These are the findings of an online poll undertaken among more than 300 recent graduates and current undergraduates by […]
