On the case: flexible working and childcare
In the first of a new series, senior associate Layla Bunni gives insight and advice on real life legal cases. This month, an employee’s idea of flexible working is causing issues. The dilemma:A manager has approached the HR department to discuss some performance issues that he is currently experiencing with a member of his […]
Tory plans to raise retirement age
Following a high court ruling the age of retirement could stay, the Conservatives have announced they would raise the state retirement age to 66 – for both men and women. Although there are already plans to raise the retirement age, the present Government is not seeking to raise the age to 66 until 2026. The […]
Disciplinary and grievances in the aftermath of redundancy
Dealing with redundancies for businesses can be tough, but staff who remain pose challenges of their own. Laura Livingstone and Christopher DelaMare examine the correct procedures for dealing with employees using the ACAS Code. For many employees, job security seems like a thing of the past. Staff may be demoralised or fearful of […]
Top 10 tips: Engagement for managers
For your employees to be productive, motivated and loyal, it is vital that the line manager is engaged and knows how to lead a team. Doug Shaw shares his top ten tips on how to be a successful manager. 1. Create the ‘right’ culture. Pretty much everything you do as a manager impacts the […]
Ask the expert: Long term sickness and insurance
An employee has been claiming sickness insurance for seven years. Now he’s 60, it’s run out and the employer is footing the bill. Can his employment be terminated? Martin Brewer and Esther Smith give advice on a particularly complex case. The question: An employee has been off sick for seven years and has been […]
Sick or on holiday? Is it up to the employee now?
The ECJ in Pereda v Madrid Movilidad SA has held that if a worker becomes sick during a period of annual leave, they are entitled to delay their holiday and carry their annual leave forward. What does this mean for employers in terms of managing their employees and ensuring this right isn’t abused? The facts […]
Countdown starts for Software Satisfaction Awards 2009
This Thursday 8 October, key representatives from the business software industry will gather at the Royal Courts of Justice in London to pop some champagne while discovering how their users rate the products they provide. Last year’s surprise winner in the SME HR software category is back, and faces Select HR in the same category […]
The future is mobile: Time to give employees a fresh challenge
Chris Phillips explains why now is the time to take talent and internal mobility seriously and gives advice on how organisations can get their own strategy up and running. The economic outlook might be looking brighter now than at any point in the last 12 months, but this is no time for HR to rest […]
HR Tip: Signing contracts of employment
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: We have had trouble with an employee and therefore have referred him to his contract where it makes the position perfectly clear. However he points out that, as he has not signed […]
Colborn’s Corner: Want to leave a tip?
October 1 sees a few changes in employment law. Firstly, the National Minimum Wage (NMW) is increased and secondly, changes to the ways tips are treated in terms of their role in remuneration. This month in Colborn’s Corner Quentin looks at the the role of NMW and questions how far legislation should impact on how […]
Top tips: Boosting motivation at work
When times are tough, it can be a bit of an uphill struggle to ensure your teams stay engaged and motivated. Jo Geraghty has some top motivational tips to ensure the workforce remains productive. Motivating teams in your organisation can be a tough and unrewarding task in the current economic environment. Morale is low so thoughts of […]
Employment law round-up: Changes in October
HR professionals need to be aware of a few legislation changes coming into force today. Craig Havard explains what you need to know. There are only a few pieces of employment legislation coming into force on 1 October this year. These are summarised below. 1. National minimum wage: Tips The effect of tips (and other gratuities), […]
Tribunal report shows redundancy claims up
The report from the Employment Appeals Tribunal into claims made between 2008 and 2009 showed that a failure to inform and consult on redundancy led to a rise in those types of Tribunal claims, despite cases falling overall. Key findings from the EAT report into tribunals from 2008-2009 revealed an overall decrease in claims accepted […]
Getting the best from Generation Y
Recruiting and retaining Generation Y poses a real challenge for HR professionals as the techniques used for previous generations no longer apply. Rob Cross explains how to master a different approach. "So where do you see yourself in five years?" I asked the 22-year-old who is now in their third week of […]
Now is the time for a new role
David Barnard examines the various ways in which managers must adapt their role to the recession, and explains how to lead teams successfully through the crisis. At ten o’clock last night, the tandoori restaurant on the corner of my road was empty. Unheard of. Each evening, I walk home down a street full of restaurants. The […]
How HR can sell itself to top management
Struggling to be strategic? Dave Millner offers his top tips to help HR directors to win friends and influence people. Many HR functions have been downsized, not because HR provides a lack of strategic value but because of the lack of effective marketing. Too often, HR simply fails to provide quantifiable proof […]
Ask the expert: Long-term absence during probation
An employee has been on long-term sick leave for most of her probation period. Matthew Whelan and Esther Smith advise on the risks of dismissing her. The question We have an employee who started work with us in a management position. Her references were not great but we decided we would give her a […]
The key to creating a great place to work
Long hours, high workloads, out-of-date leadership style and cultures do little to retain staff. Flexibility and good leadership is key to a happy workforce, says Lynne Copp. In the UK we work 46% longer hours than our European neighbours and are 27% less productive. Long hours and high workloads do not create successful businesses […]
High court says retirement age can stay – for now
The ruling is in. With the Government announcing it was bringing forward a review of the Default Retirement Age (DRA) to 2010, Mr Justice Blake has ruled that the DRA can stay. He did, however, recognise the ‘very substantial weight’ of arguments put forward by the Equality and Human Rights Commission and Age UK to […]
Tackling prejudice at work
With the number of workplace discrimination cases rising, it is vital that HR professionals confront, tackle and remove prejudice in the workplace, but how should they go about it? Nick Golding finds out. The number of workplace discrimination cases, where workers drag their employer through the courts over alleged unfair treatment because of their age, background […]
