2009 – how was it for you?
We need your feedback to make HRzone even better in 2010. It’s been a turbulent year for HR in 2009 with the economy proving a challenge, and HR issues unseen for years coming to the fore as HR faced making redundancies, dealing with new legislation, attempting to engage and motivate a spooked workforce and enduring […]
2010 – year of the better workforce?
Kevin Dougall, Managing Director of APHR Solutions, believes that there will be more causalities for HR in 2010 as we pull out of the recession, but is he only dreaming or is he right when he says HR could make 2010 the year of the better workforce? It is probably fair to say, that 2009 […]
Finding and filling senior roles
It might seem like a recruiter’s market, but actually it can be as tough recruiting as applying, says Nick Stevens. In many ways, the current outlook for senior people looking for a career move and employers with roles to fill is not exactly what most people would expect. Issues which you wouldn’t instinctively associate with […]
BA strike ruled illegal
The planned strike by Unite which would have seen cabin crew striking over the Christmas period is now off after a high court judged it illegal. Unite invited workers who had already agreed to take voluntary redundancy to vote in the ballot. BA raised the issue and although they continued with negotiations, the court found […]
We have the technology: tools for HR
Although now in recovery, the hangover from the recession continues to be felt by businesses worldwide. With travel budgets still slim and less time to meet face-to-face, James Campanini, Director of Cisco WebEx, EMEA, explains how online technology can build bridges between remote colleagues, partners and customers. As the global economy continues its recovery from […]
Vote for HRzone’s Gadget of the Year
This year’s Christmas Gadget Countdown is open for voting as we join other Sift Media sites in hunting down the most popular gadget this festive season. Just like one of Santa’s elves, executive peripherals editor Nigel Harris has been sorting through the potential contenders and posting his suggestions in his GadgetZone blog. Harris is an […]
Make 2010 your ‘year of engagement’
Christian Hasenoehrl of Gallup looks ahead to what the main focus areas of HR should be in the coming year as the market stabilises and business looks once again to growth. As 2009 comes to a close, we can say with certainty that the recession has affected everyone and if not, according to current budget […]
Ask the expert: More notice than we wanted
If a contract says four weeks’ notice but an employee gives more, do you have to let them work that notice? Matthew Whelan and Esther Smith advise. The question: We have an employee who has handed in his notice, giving three months’ notice. His contract states he only has to give four weeks. […]
Proactive training – the great motivator
With budgets downsized, employers are looking anywhere they can to save money for the initiatives they deem critical. Research shows that training is a great motivator in the workplace, especially when perceived as a form of recognition. Investing money in a worker’s development increases morale and the confidence needed during times of increased redundancies. But […]
Performance management: From measurement to alignment and beyond
Angela Baron, OD and Engagement adviser for CIPD explains how performance management has established itself and what role it has in HR’s future. Performance management is not a new concept. The idea of measuring how well individuals perform has been around at least since the third century when the emperors of the Wei dynasty in […]
To party or not to party – that is the question
Christmas bash, bonus culture clash, employees getting smashed… the nightmare before Christmas has begun, and the warnings and advice have begun flooding in. Charlie Duff identifes the key themes and tips to take heed of this season… Don’t call off the Christmas partyIn our poll, most of you were going ahead with a Christmas celebration. […]
NHS is getting engaged
The NHS is getting serious about employee engagement. Michelle Smith told Charlie Duff what the organisation is doing and how it will achieve its engagement goals. The NHS is one of the best loved – yet most criticised – institutions in the UK. The organisation is responsible for the health of the entire UK population. […]
HR tip: Change of conditions
These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Question: If we change one of someone’s terms and conditions of employment, do we have to confirm it in writing or is the fact that he starts to work under the new term […]
Legal update: Third party disability discrimination
Recently an employee took her employer to tribunal after claiming that she was discriminated against, not for herself but on the basis of her son’s disability. Richard White, specialist employment solicitor at Withy King considers this case further. Although disability discrimination in the work place is often highlighted in the news and is an issue […]
Pre-budget report: have salary sacrifice canteens had their chips?
Salary sacrifice schemes have been popular in recent years, proving a godsend for working families by providing creches or childcare vouchers and hungry workers with workforce canteens provided by the schemes. However the pre budget report’s attack on salary sacrifice workplace canteens may hint at a sea change for tax status over salary sacrifice. Aside […]
Employing disabled people
The subject of employing disabled people is one that is likely to raise a number of concerns amongst employers. Unfortunately, most of these concerns are based on misinformation and prejudice. Jane Hatton, Managing Director of specialist training company The Diversity People (and who has herself become disabled) helps to put the record straight. Recruiting and […]
Pre budget bonus? Not this year, Darling
A pre-budget report before an election might usually be a giveaway but with huge public borrowing and a gloomy economy, Alistair Darling's good news was severely curtailed. This year's pre budget report was bound to be a balancing act: with a serious economic situation and an election just around the corner, the delicate balance became […]
Working through the floods – employee engagement in action
Newbalance is the only sportswear brand still manufacturing trainers in the UK. When the floods hit in Cumbria the highly engaged workforce pulled together to keep the factory open and support the local area, as their HR Director, Paul Kennedy explains. Manufacturing in the United Kingdom is a tough business and the challenge to remain […]
Ask the expert: Family business in breach of equal opportunities?
Is this small family business breaching equal opportunity legislation by employing family members automatically? Matthew Whelan and Ester Smith advise. The question: A small family business (circa 8 staff) employs predominantly family members. The business’s objective is primarily to provide jobs/earning capability for family. Business does employ non family members and does not […]
Colborn’s Corner: Mistletoe and whine – the office Christmas party
This month Quentin muses on personal responsibility when it comes to behaviour at the office Christmas party. Should HR even get involved? It’s that time of year again. For many it is a religious celebration of great significance, for others it’s an excuse for a series of parties and seemingly endless expenditure, which, like the […]