Legislation update: Employee dismissals
Many employers assume that once they have sent a letter of dismissal to an employee, the dismissal will be immediately effective. Yet a recent case shows that employers need to be careful when making those assumptions. Richard White explains. Gisda Cyf v Barratt case: The facts Miss Barratt worked for Gisda Cyf. She attended a disciplinary meeting on […]
How to be a great HR director
All leaders want it, many aspire to possess it, and without it, few succeed. Having courage is vital if you want to be a successful HR director, says Andrew Leigh. Recently, Battalia Winston International, an organisation that employs over 5,000 people worldwide, wanted to appoint a human resources director. If you had fancied the job, you would need to have been: […]
Why HR should upgrade their recruitment systems
Alan Whitford outlines the benefits of implementing a recruitment management system that can help your recruitment process run smoothly and be more effective. The evolution of technologies which support HR and, more specifically, recruitment has now reached the point where it should be more difficult to justify not having a purpose-built, professionally-developed and supported system […]
Make change sustainable with ‘change champions’
Often projects are started enthusiastically but fail at implementation or post-implementation stage. The role of the change champion can be invaluable in involving the right people, getting commitment to the change and embedding it, says Bettina Pickering. Change is ever-present in organisations but often important projects which start with enthusiasm, fail to implement sustainable change. The […]
Power methods for developing HR staff
Are you using the most effective methods to develop the skills and careers of your HR team? Jan Hills discusses which methods work best and how you can combine these to achieve more results for your investment. Recent surveys suggest that some 80 to 85% of medium to large companies have already, are in the process […]
Success in a recession: The kitchen cabinet
Successful people rely on a network of close allies who guide and challenge them. So how do they select those in their cabinet and how can HR professionals encourage the right kinds of teams to form around leaders? Blaire Palmer has the answers. Successful people do not become successful alone. We know this is true, which […]
HR tip: Too hot to work?
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: Some of our employees complained during some recent hot weather that it was too hot to work and that they should therefore have been sent home. How do we stand? Answer: […]
Unemployment leaps to 2.43 million
Unemployment soared by 220,000 over the three months to June, official figures have revealed. This takes the total number of people unemployed to 2.43 million, the highest level since 1995, according to data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This means the jobless rate is now 7.8%, higher than the expected 7.7%, and […]
Online payslips: A step too far?
Online financial transactions are on the increase in all areas of the economy, yet electronically-delivered payslips still raise issues for employers and employees alike. Are they a natural evolution for organisations, or a technology too far, asks Tim Richards. Presenting pay electronically can open up a wealth of possibilities for a company to demonstrate […]
Ask the expert: Trade union representative
Where does an employer stand if an employee wants to bring a trade union representative into a disciplinary meeting, rather than a colleague? Gillie Scoular and Esther Smith advise. The question: We do not have any trade union on site, but a member of staff pays a union fee and wants to bring a […]
What is the cost of employee under-performance?
What’s an employee worth? Can we measure it? Dr Nikos Bozionelos explains how to assess performance and what methods to implement to ensure employers recruit ‘high performers’. Managers need to know both the price and the value of their employees. In fact given the huge financial losses or gains that depend upon employee performance, […]
Planet of the apps: Touching the void
Technology correspondent Jon Wilcox examines the touch screen technology of the BlackBerry Storm and highlights some of its best apps. Research in Motion’s (RIM) attempts to take on the iPhone in the touch market emerged at the end of 2008 with the BlackBerry Storm. A year on, and with details of a ‘Storm 2’ already […]
Colborn’s Corner: Who are the fat cats?
With news about Barclays’ recent profit announcements and headlines about the fat cats being back in town, Quentin Colborn takes a look at fat cat salaries in the light of a recent article in The Times and questions if they are who we were expecting. When you think about it, the expression ‘fat cat’, which is normally used […]
Is talent management in a slump?
In contrast to claims that recession and staff cutbacks would stimulate interest in talent management, the software companies supplying programs to support these activities are having a tough year. John Stokdyk investigates. US-based talent software analyst Josh Bersin first called attention to the talent management software slump in a May blog posting. He concluded that […]
Tanith Dodge interview: Managing change at M&S
The recession demands change from all organisations, but how do you galvanise your employees at one of the biggest businesses on the high street? Marks & Spencer’s group HR director Tanith Dodge speaks to Neil Davey about the secrets to her success. Marks & Spencer is a high street behemoth with a remarkable heritage, having recently […]
Handling difficult conversations in the workplace
Managers must be able to handle difficult conversations at work, especially in the current climate. Gill Trevelyan advises on how best to communicate with employees. Lost for words? What is the hardest part of conducting a disciplinary, grievance or investigatory interview? Is it trying to remember and adhere to the legislation that […]
HR tip: Parking on residential roads
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: Our premises are on a street that is lined with houses and some of the residents have complained to us that our employees regularly park their cars outside their homes. Our employees […]
How to blog on HRzone.co.uk
It is really easy to blog on HRzone.co.uk but if your inner blog just hasn’t come out yet and you feel you need a helping hand to get started, Karyn Romeis has a few tips on how to become a successful blogger on our site. There are probably as many different reasons for blogging as there are bloggers out […]
The rise of talent management systems
Josh Bersin outlines how HR professionals can keep up with the rapid growth of talent management software and ensure you find the best fit for your organisation. One of the fastest-growing segments of HR is talent management systems. These new integrated platforms automate and improve processes for applicant tracking, goal setting and performance management, career and […]
What’s your professional USP?
Personal development expert Tessa Hood explains how to differentiate yourself from the crowd and get noticed for the right reasons. If there is any doubt in your mind over the security of your position at work, there is a tool that you can use to influence the influencers who have the power over your future, […]
