Octopus wins another Software Satisfaction Award
Octopus HR, the web-based HR software provider, won its second small business HR software prize at the Software Satisfaction Awards last night, and beat Enterprise HR winner Cascade HR to the web-hosted HR prize. Octopus overcame Select HR in the SME category, while Cascade beat SnowdropKCS HR to the big company prize, confirming the […]
Risk for employees as businesses cut insurance
Desperation to cut costs has led to some organisations skimping on insurance, leaving employees and businesses at risk, claims new research from AXA and British chambers of Commerce (BCC). Only a third of businesses understand their legal requirement to cover employees with employer’s liability insurance, leaving over half a million employees uninsured, according to […]
HR tip: Regular absenteeism
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: A couple of our employees quite regularly are absent on Fridays and Mondays, claiming minor illnesses. One likes to spend time in his caravan and the other visits her mother miles away […]
Success in a recession: Politics
It certainly has a bad name, but politics is a fact of life in the business world and, rather than being ignored or denied, maybe it is time to celebrate politics and learn to play the game, says Blaire Palmer. We live in a time when it is acceptable, if not required, to dismiss politics […]
Does the Pereda ruling make you feel ill?
Alison Norris, an HR expert with Employment Law Specialists & Health and Safety Advisors mhl Support, suggests a remedy – and indulges in a little bird watching… In September we had (yet) another decision from Europe that shook us to the core. The ruling related to one Francesco Pereda, a council worker from Madrid, and […]
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 […]
