On the case: Sick employee runs her own business on our time
An HR manager discovers an employee on six-month sick leave is operating a beauty treatment business from home using the company-provided mobile phone. The article explains how to investigate the situation and what disciplinary steps employers should consider.
Growth in HR jobs outstrips all other sectors
HR job postings grew 8% between November and December, outpacing all other sectors as employers began rehiring. However, demand for HR consulting services dropped 20% over the past year, with 84% of HR directors cutting consulting spending.
Move staff manuals online to save money and the environment
Digitizing staff manuals could save UK organizations £297 million annually while preserving over 100,000 trees, according to new research. Online manuals reduce printing costs, improve employee access to information, and free HR staff to focus on strategic work.
Retention – the big issue of 2010
As economic recovery looms, retention emerges as a critical HR challenge. A survey of over 300 organizations found 60% of employers fear losing key staff, with 40% of employees planning to change jobs within a year. HR leaders must prioritize employee engagement and talent development now to retain skilled workers when the job market improves.
Study reveals secrets to successful leadership
Research shows successful leaders prioritize democratic, people-focused management styles over purely target-driven approaches. According to a two-year Work Foundation study, self-aware managers who develop mutual relationships and enable staff performance generate better results than those seeking personal recognition.
Union claims Fujitsu job cuts are discriminatory
Unite union questions whether Fujitsu’s compulsory redundancies disproportionately affect women, ethnic minorities, and part-time workers. Analysis shows women represent 6.7% of targeted cuts versus 3.7% of men, while Indian employees and part-timers face higher redundancy rates. Fujitsu denies discrimination claims and says its selection process was fair.
Islington council hires interim director following suspension
Islington Council has appointed interim HR director Richard Mycroft following Maria King’s suspension amid allegations of bullying and financial mismanagement. The investigation has prompted several senior HR managers to resign due to frustration with King’s alleged behavior and investigation delays. A disciplinary hearing is scheduled within weeks.
Mover and shaker: Caroline Waters, director of people and policy, BT
Caroline Waters, director of people and policy at BT, received an OBE in 2010 for services to diversity and equal opportunities. She has championed women and ethnic minority representation at the telecoms company and leads several employer diversity initiatives.
Succession planning: The bigger picture
Succession planning extends beyond senior executives to include critical roles throughout your organization. Effective strategies identify key positions across all departments, develop internal talent pipelines, and integrate succession planning with broader people management disciplines like recruitment and performance management.
Employee development: The role of the line manager
Line managers play a crucial role in employee development through effective relationship-building and engagement. Research from the Institute of Employment Studies shows that managers who provide clear direction, invest in their team’s growth, offer coaching and support, and recognize success significantly boost employee motivation, confidence, and job satisfaction.
Employee confidence back on the rise
Employee confidence rose across 11 of the world’s 12 largest economies in Q4 2009, signaling potential economic recovery. A Kenexa survey of 15,500 workers found confidence increased to 98.0 from 97.9 the previous quarter, with stronger gains compared to early 2009, suggesting improving GDP and organizational performance ahead.
Ask the expert: Sacked after 10 months
A graduate dismissed after 10 months without following the company’s stated disciplinary procedure may have a contractual claim if the procedure was part of their employment terms, though they cannot claim unfair dismissal without one year’s service.
Don’t get complacent about pensions
As pension markets recover, HR professionals must review defined contribution schemes to ensure employees are prepared for retirement and protected against future financial downturns. Key steps include evaluating plan value, improving employee communication, enhancing tax efficiency, and preparing for auto-enrollment compliance by 2012.
Employers adopt ‘sophisticated’ methods to cope with recession
Employers are adopting more sophisticated approaches to recession management, prioritizing employee communication, skills development, and performance management over pay increases, according to a survey of 550 senior HR managers across 17 countries.
Recession leaves managers demanding more work with menaces
Workplace bullying has doubled over the past decade, with more than a third of workers experiencing harassment in recent months, according to a union survey. Recession pressures have led managers to become more demanding and critical, often creating bullying behavior when they lack stress management training.
Snow pay: should you dock wages of snowed-in workers?
Employers can legally dock pay for snow-related absences, but this approach may backfire. Legal experts recommend considering the long-term impact on morale and productivity before withholding wages, and employees have statutory protections against unauthorized deductions.
Social notworking – the dark side of social networking
Social networking sites pose significant workplace challenges, from reduced productivity to potential reputational damage and discrimination claims. Employers need clear social media policies to manage employee online behavior and protect their organizations.
Suspended sentence for NHS CV liar
An NHS senior HR manager received a suspended prison sentence for falsely claiming qualifications including a degree from Oxford Brookes University on her job application. Kerrie Devine was ordered to pay compensation and perform community service after her fraud was discovered during a reapplication process.
Snow business: The winter survival kit for your organisation
Extreme weather disrupts UK businesses and threatens productivity, but remote working tools and cloud computing can help organisations maintain operations during severe conditions. Implementing flexible work policies and technology solutions reduces weather-related downtime and keeps employees safe while ensuring business continuity.
Snow business: 14% not in work, costing economy £0.5bn per day
Severe winter weather has driven UK employee absences to record levels, with nearly 14% of the workforce absent on January 7, 2010, costing the economy an estimated £0.5 billion per day, according to FirstCare data.
