2009 – how was it for you?
HRzone seeks feedback from HR professionals about 2009’s challenges and how to improve its content and services in 2010. The platform invites readers to share their preferences for discussion groups, blogs, and resources to better support HR practitioners facing economic pressures and workforce management issues.
2010 – year of the better workforce?
As recession eases, HR faces challenges beyond layoffs: addressing a shortage of work-ready young people entering the workforce. HR professionals can quantify costs, articulate human impacts, and implement workplace solutions like partnerships with colleges for employee development and training.
Finding and filling senior roles
Finding senior roles requires more than checking job boards. Many executive positions are never publicly advertised, making it essential for candidates to maintain relationships with recruitment consultants and keep online profiles like LinkedIn current to stay informed of hidden opportunities.
BA strike ruled illegal
A UK high court ruled a planned Unite strike by British Airways cabin crew illegal after the union balloted workers already in voluntary redundancy. The decision halts disruption over Christmas, though future strikes remain possible once Unite holds a compliant ballot.
We have the technology: tools for HR
Modern technology tools like video conferencing and online collaboration platforms enable businesses to maintain effective communication and relationships with remote colleagues and partners, reducing the need for costly travel while adapting to today’s economic landscape.
Vote for HRzone’s Gadget of the Year
Vote now for HRzone’s Gadget of the Year in our annual Christmas countdown. The HR community can choose from gadgets, tech, games, and consumer electronics across multiple categories—from The Beatles Rock Band to the Kindle e-reader.
Make 2010 your ‘year of engagement’
As 2009 ends and markets stabilize, HR leaders must prioritize employee engagement to prevent talent exodus. Organizations fostering engagement see 40% of employees engaged versus the UK average of just 20%, making it critical for 2010 strategy and business recovery.
Ask the expert: More notice than we wanted
When an employee gives more notice than required by their contract, employers have limited options: put them on garden leave, pay them in lieu of notice, or attempt to negotiate an earlier departure. Legal experts advise paying in lieu is often best, especially if the employee plans to compete with your business.
Proactive training – the great motivator
Proactive training motivates employees and boosts retention during economic downturns, while reactive redundancy-focused training alone misses opportunities to develop skills and improve productivity. Strategic workforce development programs, including affordable webinar options, help companies retain talent and strengthen employee morale.
Performance management: From measurement to alignment and beyond
Performance management has evolved from measurement-focused practices to emphasize alignment between individual and organizational objectives. Modern performance management integrates career development and talent management while prioritizing quality contributions and knowledge deployment over task efficiency, according to recent research by CIPD.
To party or not to party – that is the question
Most UK managers believe Christmas parties boost employee engagement and morale, even during economic downturns. However, employers are balancing celebration with caution, with many favoring modest team lunches over expensive organization-wide events to avoid damaging their reputation.
NHS is getting engaged
The NHS is implementing a serious employee engagement strategy to improve workforce satisfaction and patient care amid anticipated budget cuts. Michelle Smith from OC Tanner is helping NHS trusts develop practical engagement tactics, emphasizing that staff satisfaction directly correlates with patient care quality.
HR tip: Change of conditions
When changing an employee’s terms and conditions, you must provide written notification within one month of the change taking effect. Verbal agreement or starting work under new terms is not sufficient for legal compliance.
Legal update: Third party disability discrimination
A UK employment tribunal ruled that employees can claim disability discrimination based on their association with a disabled person, not just their own disability. The case involved a legal secretary caring for her disabled son who faced workplace harassment and was denied flexible working arrangements.
Pre-budget report: have salary sacrifice canteens had their chips?
The government plans to remove tax exemptions for salary sacrifice workplace canteens from April 2011, closing a loophole where employees take pay cuts to fund meals tax-free. The move signals potential wider anti-avoidance measures targeting other flexible benefits schemes.
Employing disabled people
Employing disabled people offers significant business benefits that employers often overlook. With 20% of the working population disabled and disabled employees showing better attendance and retention rates, organizations that hire disabled staff report strong financial returns and enhanced workplace culture.
Pre budget bonus? Not this year, Darling
Alistair Darling’s pre-budget report offered limited giveaways due to high public borrowing and economic gloom, instead introducing a controversial banker bonus tax and pension contribution changes that experts warn could hurt the UK’s competitiveness and employee retention.
Working through the floods – employee engagement in action
New Balance’s UK factory workforce demonstrated exceptional engagement by rallying together during devastating Cumbria floods in November, keeping operations running while supporting their severely affected local community.
Ask the expert: Family business in breach of equal opportunities?
A small family business that automatically employs family members may not directly breach equal opportunities legislation, as there’s no specific law against preferential family hiring. However, experts warn this practice carries discrimination risks, particularly if the family is predominantly one race, and is generally considered poor practice for workplace equality.
Colborn’s Corner: Mistletoe and whine – the office Christmas party
Office Christmas parties raise questions about personal responsibility versus employer liability. An employment lawyer’s advice to ban mobile phone photography highlights concerns over privacy and social media sharing, but experts debate whether employers should police behavior or expect staff to exercise self-control.
