Tips on investigating employee misconduct
When dismissing an employee for misconduct, many employers stumble at the investigation stage. Martin Brewer examines the common pitfalls and how best to avoid them. The dismissal of an employee for misconduct will almost certainly lead to a claim for unfair dismissal. In assessing the fairness of a dismissal, an employment tribunal will be […]
Is your HR department pulling its weight?
In the toughest trading conditions in a generation, HR needs to add value and be able to prove it. Making the most of HRIS can be key, says Denis Barnard. We all know what good HR practice should mean – higher retention, productivity and business performance. The problem is, with costs coming […]
Ask the expert: Compromise agreements
An employer is managing out some poor-performing employees. However it is proving to be a time-consuming exercise, and would like to offer them a compromise agreement instead. Adam Partington and Esther Smith advise. The question We have a situation whereby three managers in the business are failing to deliver in a number of areas. We have […]
Agresso: The future of salary reviews
As the recession continues to bite, technology correspondent Jon Wilcox speaks to software developer Agresso about what it thinks is the future for salary review software. In an interview with HRzone.co.uk, business software developer Agresso has prophesied the future of salary review tools, and revealed one issue it’s experienced during the marketing […]
David Fairhurst interview: Managing the workforce in a recession
Lucie Mitchell talks to David Fairhurst, HR chief at McDonald’s, about his views on the importance of employee engagement and talent management during the current downturn. David Fairhurst, senior vice president, chief people officer at McDonald’s Northern Europe, knows a thing or two about human resources. Recently voted as HR’s most influential […]
HR tip: Length of CV
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: How long and comprehensive should a CV be? I have been told it should be no more than two pages, but I have a varied career background and a lot of experience […]
Thinking of becoming a consultant?
John Pope outlines everything you need to consider before taking the plunge into consultancy work. During the recession, you may be frustrated at the resistance to your ideas for change; you may be upset at the way management has failed to take your advice or has ignored your warnings. You may envy the […]
Job interviews: Careless talk costs your business
Many managers do not realise that some of the questions they ask during interviews are unlawful. Pam Loch and Chloe Pereira explain how to avoid the interview trap. Many managers carrying out interviews focus not only on the skills of the candidate concerned, but also on their ‘fit’ for the business. Will they get on with […]
Ask the expert: Redundancy and restructuring
An employer plans to make redundancies and is considering making their part-time worker redundant, rather than the full-time employees. Martin Brewer and Esther Smith advise on following a fair procedure. The question: We are looking at restructuring our field staff. We currently have two full-time and one part-time staff covering all of the UK. […]
Building trust and confidence in a recession
Trust amongst the workforce can be shaken when redundancies are made, so Lorne Armstrong explains how businesses can ensure confidence is not lost and trust remains intact during a downturn. Everyone has experienced the change and uncertainty the recession has brought, and we’ve witnessed first-hand the dramatic loss of trust in business leaders and government. […]
Redundancy: It’s a psychological thing
Redundancy is a deeply difficult and disruptive experience for employees and organisations alike. Rob Bailey and Jenny Kidby explore how psychometric tools can bring clarity, and kindness, to redundancy situations. For decades, psychometrics have given employers a reliable and scientific basis to make difficult people decisions. Objectivity in these can easily become contaminated […]
What is the cheapest way to obtain legal advice?
The government has announced its plans to regulate the ‘no-win, no-fee’ payments to solicitors. Charles Price examines this further and advises on a certain kind of company insurance that offers free legal advice. This month a paper was produced which may inhibit those seeking to pay lawyers on a no-win, no-fee basis. Some […]
The HRzone.co.uk Recession Clinic with Acas
Below is an archive of our Recession Clinic web chat, with Stewart Gee from employment relations service Acas, that took place on Monday. He answered all your questions on coping with the impact of the recession in the workplace, whether it be redundancy and restructuring, performance management, or contracts of employment. Click in the box below to view a […]
Swine flu: Top tips for employers
Amid warnings that employers who fail to protect their staff adequately from swine flu could face legal action, solicitor Rebecca Lake outlines what you need to know to prepare for and deal with swine flu in the workplace. Swine flu, also referred to as influenza A(H1N1), is becoming a regular feature across newspapers, television […]
Managing performance in a recession
Alyson Pellowe explains how HR professionals can ensure the performance of those employees left behind after a redundancy is managed effectively, and what measures can be put in place to help staff perform well. So what is performance management? It is actually quite straightforward. It’s about using a range of methods to manage individuals’ work […]
Video: Exclusive interview with Ed Sweeney, Acas
Ed Sweeney, chair of Acas, talks to Verity Gough about the issues HR faces when dealing with workplace disputes during a recession.
Workforce planning: Helping to deliver on promises
Peter Howes identifies the five areas that must be considered to successfully cope with an increasingly unpredictable business environment. Workforce planning means taking the steps today to ensure you have the right people with the right skills in place at the right time. It’s a way of translating future business strategy into workforce demand forecasts […]
Opinion: Cost-effective retention strategies
Continuing with her series on recruitment and retention in today’s business landscape, this month Lisette Howlett explains how to implement an effective retention strategy that doesn’t break the bank. The trick to a really good retention strategy is not just effectively keeping your people, but actually knowing who it is that you want […]
HR tip: Wearing shorts at 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, men and women, have started coming to work in shorts on hot days. Frankly some of them, the men especially, look dreadful. Are we entitled to stop this […]
Ask the expert: Notice period when dismissed for misconduct
A sick employee stated on Facebook that she was out socialising on the night of one of her sick days, and she was dismissed immediately. Matthew Whelan and Esther Smith advise whether she is entitled to pay in lieu of notice. The question We recently dismissed an employee after she was off sick for […]
