Ask the expert: vetting employees
Does rechecking only some of our employees to ensure they are able to work in the UK amount to discrimination? Matthew Whelan and Esther Smith advise. The question: In 2007 the company I work for started to vet new employees through a new vetting agency: they check the authenticity of passports and the right […]
Are your employees snowed under? Severe weather and its impact on business
There’s no business like snow business: but even in severe weather conditions there are solutions employers can put in place for employees to keep disruption to a minimum, says the CIPD. The severe weather already affecting much of Britain and school closures affecting parts of the country do not necessarily have to mean major problems […]
Are you moral enough to lead a culture of accountability?
Effective human resources leadership can only be built upon a culture of accountability, says Chris Seabourne, Partner with CTPartners. For any company – regardless of its industry, location, or business model – its employee base represents one of its most valuable assets and one that is absolutely key to achieving performance, growth and profitability objectives. […]
We all need improvement plans
Improving performance – only for the struggling? We should all be taking responsibility for our performance, says Jim Constable. Many years ago one of our coaches was working with a sales consultant. He overheard a conversation between the consultant and his client discussing the training of the client’s staff: "Where I work, we’ve been given […]
Strategic workforce planning: taking centre stage
How strategic workforce planning is securing HR’s role in the business, by Infohrm’s CEO, Peter Howes. Now, more than anytime within my 35 years of experience, workforce planning is performing a pivotal role within many organisations. Even though most developed countries are slowly emerging from the worst economic recession in over 70 years, the demand […]
Social media as a business medium: It’s already here, are you ready?
The way in which we communicate with each other has changed almost beyond recognition – and now business must catch up. Stan Lepeak gives some advice on how business can use social media and how to deal with it within the business. Collaboration is a core skill in any successful business. The means, however, through […]
What HR can learn from sales to optimise recruitment
Over the last 10 years there have been a lot of changes in the way recruitment has been carried out by HR departments. But now, according to Mitch Sullivan, more radical change is needed by HR to get the best results from their recruitment campaigns. In most companies there is little or no interaction between […]
Gender Lens – How ‘what good looks like’ differs at work for men and women
Women and men probably have more in common than they know – however it is not their similarities that get the most attention, it is the differences. Rory Fidgeon summarises research which highlights the differing priorities between men and women. In a recent study, designed to surface the true underlying beliefs and assumptions people hold […]
The new world of outplacement
Richard Alberg, CEO of mynewjob.me, explains how he’s experienced the world of recruitment and outplacement changing. Outplacement is changing. What was once predominantly a service designed for a relatively small number of senior executives is now a mass market offering. The problem is that although the name has remained the same the available budget has […]
HR Tips 2009
All our HR tips from 2009: click on the links to read any of the HR tips. December 2009Change of conditionsChristmas overtime payments November 2009Anonymous witnessCan we withdraw notice?Dishonest academic claimsBad attitude October 2009Using solicitor in Employment Tribunal Making rules workRegular Absenteeism September 2009Signing contracts of employmentLimiting recruitment – discrimination?Children at workStopping swearing August 2009Types […]
Tips on keeping agency worker costs low
Matthew Sanders, Chief Executive of de Poel – the number one purchaser of temporary agency labour in the UK – outlines his top tips on how to keep hire costs down. With Christmas upon us, and the demand for temporary agency workers in the UK soaring, the cost a company faces in order to supplement […]
Lessons from France Telecom – handling restructures
Performance culture expert Nigel Watson of Q4 Solutions explores why the role HR can play in restructuring is so vital, ensuring staff are mentally prepared and are working within a supportive culture in order to avoid problems like those seen at France Telecom. The recession has forced many businesses to review how they operate and […]
Making a Legacy: how HR can create something deeper and more lasting
If you think retention and engagement, particularly of the younger members of your team will be issues for you in 2010, Ian McDermott has an idea for you. Each year millions of pounds from HR and training budgets is poured into people in the hope of improving business performance. From off-site team building and training […]
HR in 2010: ‘From partner to provocateur’ – CIPD
Stephanie Bird , Director of HR Capability at the CIPD, shares with us her vision of HR in 2010 and explains how the CIPD’s reach and research is extending far beyond British shores. When I was asked to write about my favourite topic within HR and what 2010 holds for it, I was initially thrilled […]
PwC: Bonus culture clash is contagious
It’s not only the financial sector which is at the sharp end when it comes to criticism over bonuses and incentive payments. Public opinion is unlikely to change towards these renumeration policies and the consequences will have a high impact across FTSE-listed companies, according to experts at PricewaterhouseCoopers. While the stated focus of the one-off […]
Ask the expert: Can they replace my holiday with childcare?
If an employer is making a contribution to childcare, can they remove some of my leave entitlement? And should I be able to avoid tax on the childcare? The question: I have a little boy aged two and my current employer has agreed to pay my £245 that I would get from […]
Engagement despite M&A – the impact on employer brand
Rebecca Clake examines the issues with a merger or acquisition and what HR can do to maintain engagement and keep key staff using recent research from CIPD. CIPD’s new report on mergers and acquisitions defines the employer brand as a ‘two way deal between an organisation and its people – the reason they choose to […]
2010 – the year the talent war resumes
With 2010 approaching and signs that the economy is starting to recover, Richard Doherty from Jobpartners looks to what the future has in store for talent management. Against the backdrop of recession, 2009 was undoubtedly one of the most difficult years in recent times for HR and talent management. With preditions of an upturn and […]
Beyond belief? Faith and work – the legal considerations
No matter what your employees believe, they need to be dealt with correctly – or you will face the legal consequences, explain lawyers Natasha Koshnitsky and Rob McCreath. Picture the scene: the interview has gone well and the candidate has come across as well-qualified and suitable for the senior and highly sensitive vacancy. In the […]
Be aware of mental health in 2010, says Acas
Ed Sweeney, Acas Chair, considers the impact the recession has had on business and employees and what HR should focus on next year to avoid legal implications. 2009 has been a challenging year for businesses and employees. For many managers, this is the first time that they have encountered such challenging economic conditions. As a […]