HR should be on the lookout for internet addiction
Internet addiction affects 1.2% of the UK population—twice the rate of gambling addiction—and is linked to depression and impaired daily functioning. HR professionals should monitor employee internet use, as research shows addicts struggle to control online time and often replace real-life social interaction with excessive browsing and gaming.
1/3 suffering with outdated IT
One-third of HR departments report outdated IT systems are hindering their performance following significant structural changes. While most organizations have undergone restructuring to improve cost-effectiveness, many now face gaps between their current technology and evolving business needs.
Employee engagement neglected in 80% of businesses
Most middle managers recognize employee engagement drives performance, yet 80% neglect to implement engagement strategies. A survey reveals managers underestimate workplace stress and disengagement, even as job satisfaction across the UK reaches historic lows, particularly among younger workers.
HR tip: Searching employees
Employers can conduct spot searches of employees leaving work if they obtain proper consent, establish clear policies in advance, and follow strict procedures including same-gender searchers, private settings, and documentation. Searches must be non-intimate, limited to outer garments, and fairly administered to avoid discrimination claims.
Developing a sense of ownership and responsibility among staff
Foster staff ownership and responsibility by focusing on what employees can control, listening to their concerns during change, and addressing inconsistent effort that demoralizes teams. Research shows that when people concentrate on their circle of influence rather than worry about external factors, they become more engaged and productive.
McDonald’s is the big mac for apprenticeship schemes
McDonald’s has become one of the UK’s largest apprenticeship providers, offering qualifications and career advancement to over 5,000 employees since 2009. The scheme has particularly benefited long-term unemployed and young people, providing pathways to managerial roles and recognized diplomas equivalent to GCSEs.
Colborn’s Corner – Do you like your chocolate sweet or bitter?
Explore the implications of Kraft’s takeover of Cadbury, examining how the acquisition affects British business tradition, employee welfare, and organizational culture. This column questions whether corporate paternalism still has value in modern employment practices.
HR – have you got your head in the Cloud when it comes to technology?
Cloud-based computing is reshaping HR strategy and business operations. This technology enables lower costs, faster deployment, and increased flexibility, with 44% of large enterprises already using cloud services for HR processes like recruitment management.
270, 000 may strike after redundancy pay cut
The PCS union plans to ballot 270,000 civil service workers on strike action over government plans to cut redundancy payouts by up to a third starting in April. The union claims the cuts are illegal and will enable mass job losses, with some workers losing £20,000 in severance payments. Rolling strikes could disrupt government services before the general election.
Survey highlights top challenges for HR
A 2010 survey of UK HR professionals reveals employee engagement, succession planning, and talent retention as top priorities, though rising staff turnover and workplace stress threaten to consume HR departments’ time managing grievances and disaffected workers.
Nuts about the cloud
Lorenz Bahlsen Snack-World is deploying SAP SuccessFactors cloud-based management tools to 500 senior managers in Germany and Poland to improve goal alignment, performance tracking, and employee communication. The solution enables better visibility into individual and corporate performance while supporting talent development and strategy execution across the European snack manufacturer.
Rising stars: National Apprenticeship week launches
The government launched National Apprenticeship Week and introduced a new £2,500 grant for employers hiring unemployed 16 and 17 year olds. The scheme aims to boost apprenticeships as a skills route, with major employers including Morrisons, Crossrail, and B&Q pledging to create thousands of new places.
Happy 100th Birthday, Jobcentre
The UK’s Jobcentre network celebrates its 100th anniversary this month, recognized as one of Europe’s most sophisticated public employment services. Created in 1909 to address unemployment and labor market inefficiencies, it pioneered integrating job placement with benefit administration, an approach now widely adopted across Europe.
Welcoming Web 2.0 to HR
Web 2.0 technologies like social media and collaborative platforms are transforming HR processes, challenging traditional conservative approaches. Organizations must adapt by leveraging these tools for recruitment, learning, communications, and employee engagement rather than restricting access.
Survey and transform absenteeism
A biopharmaceutical company in North Wales transformed its culture through employee surveys, reducing absenteeism from 8-9% to 1.5% over five years while preparing for critical FDA approval. Strategic changes including removing reserved parking, eliminating time clocks, and building trust between management and staff created measurable improvement across all engagement metrics.
Ask the expert: Can we drug test?
Pre-employment drug testing requires explicit consent, justified business purpose, and transparent communication. Employers must document their policy, ensure compliance with data protection laws, and consider less intrusive alternatives before implementing testing across UK locations.
MacLeod steps up engagement
The UK government is intensifying efforts to boost employee engagement following the MacLeod Review, with new support measures and collaborative initiatives planned to help businesses improve productivity, reduce turnover, and unlock creative potential across all sectors.
Sickie Monday – did you notice a high number of sick workers?
Approximately 350,000 British workers called in sick on ‘Sickie Monday,’ costing businesses £30 million. Research shows 25% of employers now accept emails or texts instead of phone calls, making it easier for employees to fabricate illness.
Opinion: Online recruitment not that simple?
Despite rapid growth in online recruitment and advances in job board technology and social media, employers still face a complex, fragmented marketplace when searching for qualified candidates. Successfully navigating thousands of job boards and social networks requires careful planning and tech-savvy strategy.
Nearly half of HR look to online for candidate information
Nearly half of UK HR professionals reject job candidates based on online information they discover about them, though most applicants underestimate how thoroughly employers research their digital presence before hiring.
