Views on HR news: CIPD special
Jon Ingham reviews how the CIPD Conference embraced social media, including extensive blogging and tweeting from HR professionals. The conference featured live blogging, Twitter updates, and the UK’s first HR tweet-up, with social media becoming a focus in several presentations.
10 new leader let downs
New leaders often make critical mistakes in their rush to make an impact quickly. Common pitfalls include dismissing prior organizational history, implementing changes without understanding existing systems, and imposing rigid solutions without considering unique organizational dynamics. Understanding these missteps can help new leaders lead more effectively.
Pensions update: Retirement planning for non-doms
Non-domiciled individuals in the UK face new pension contribution rules requiring HMRC registration and meeting specific conditions for tax relief. Contributions above £20,000 now face a 20% income tax charge, though standard personal and occupational pension schemes typically qualify for relief under the new regulations.
We have the technology – aligning HR with business goals
Modern cloud-based HR software now enables organizations to align employee performance directly with strategic business goals. By integrating human capital management with business systems, companies can cascade executive strategies throughout the organization, ensuring employees understand how their work contributes to measurable business results.
Yes we can – Barack Obama’s leadership lessons
Explore Barack Obama’s leadership approach and the role of self-confidence in his rise to power. This analysis examines how his willingness to listen, make difficult decisions, and build strong teams offers valuable lessons for HR leaders seeking to develop authentic leadership skills.
HR tip: Bad attitude at work?
Address employee attitude issues by first having a direct conversation to understand underlying problems, whether work-related or personal. If poor performance or management criticism continues, apply appropriate capability or disciplinary procedures depending on whether the issue stems from inability or unwillingness to perform.
The fine line between managers and HR
Explore the critical balance between manager and HR responsibilities. Discover why clearly defining line manager roles in people management is essential for effective HR transformation, proper manager recruitment, and organizational risk management.
Would you pass the leadership test?
Discover what separates effective leaders during challenging times. Paul Kennedy, HR Director at New Balance, outlines essential leadership traits including leading from the front, making bold decisions, motivating employees, and maintaining open communication to navigate economic uncertainty and organizational chaos.
Employing agency workers? Know their rights
The UK introduced new regulations protecting agency workers’ rights, requiring equal pay and working conditions with permanent employees after 12 weeks of employment. These rules aim to improve protections for 1.5 million agency workers while balancing employer flexibility in using temporary labour.
Jobpartners launches mid-range ActiveRecruiter Business Edition
Jobpartners has launched ActiveRecruiter Business Edition, a web-based recruitment and talent management solution designed for organizations with up to 5,000 employees. The platform automates the full recruitment cycle from job posting to hiring and employee development, priced at £100 per user monthly with simplified, wizard-driven features.
Ask the expert: Office relocation
When a UK office relocates, employees who cannot move may qualify for redundancy pay if no mobility clause exists in their contracts. Employers should follow proper redundancy procedures and assess whether new positions offer suitable alternative employment based on individual circumstances.
HR tip: Can we withdraw notice?
Once formal notice is given to an employee, it cannot be withdrawn without their agreement. If the employee refuses to withdraw their notice, the only way to retain them is through negotiation or offering incentives such as improved pay or working conditions.
Equal pay: Slow burning issue of the century?
Despite equal pay legislation being in place for over 40 years, significant gender pay gaps persist across industries. An EHRC review of Financial Services found a 55 percent earnings gap between men and women, with men dominating senior roles and receiving larger bonuses, exposing systemic issues organizations continue to overlook.
On the case: Can you investigate a sick person?
A manager placed on sick leave after a grievance is filed presents a complex HR challenge. While employers must investigate complaints fairly and allow the accused time to recover, investigations can continue with witnesses while the manager is absent, then pause or proceed based on the expected return date.
Are we entering the pensions dark ages?
UK state pensions provide only 31% of average earnings, far below other G7 countries, while 64% of workers plan to rely solely on state pensions in retirement. Declining occupational pension membership and rising personal debt threaten to leave today’s workers facing pensioner poverty without significant pension reform.
The critical dimensions of leadership
Effective leadership selection requires objective criteria based on validated research, not subjective impressions. Christian Hasenoehrl identifies five critical dimensions—Direction, Drive, Influence, Relationship, and Execution—that distinguish top-performing leaders from average performers, helping organizations avoid common hiring pitfalls.
Leadership culture: Stephen Covey speaks
Leadership expert Stephen Covey explains how organizations can shift from outdated hierarchical models to knowledge-worker cultures that empower employees at all levels, boost decision-making, and strengthen customer relationships.
Meeting great expectatations
As HR transforms into a strategic function, professionals must develop new technical skills beyond traditional employee lifecycle management. These skills span process management and customer service in shared centers, deep expertise in centers of excellence, and change management and workforce planning for HR business partners.
Putting HR on Cloud 9
SuccessFactors’ cloud-based platform bridges the gap between business strategy and execution by empowering HR professionals to demonstrate measurable value and drive organizational alignment. Jay Larson emphasized that HR plays a critical strategic role, with up to 70% of operating costs tied to workforce management, positioning HR leaders to significantly impact business outcomes.
Ask the expert: Does a fixed contract negate redundancy?
Fixed-term contract employees qualify for redundancy pay when their contract expires and isn’t renewed, provided they have sufficient service and the employer follows fair dismissal procedures. Employers must treat fixed-term workers fairly compared to permanent staff and consider alternative employment options.
