Opinion: The recruitment industry must change
As the recession continues to set new rules in the job market, there’s never been a greater need for a trusted, professional recruitment industry. Yet, many companies still view recruiters as a necessary evil. Neil Wilson explains why he thinks this must change. Make no doubt about it; recruitment is a huge part of […]
Seven ways to recession-proof your HR department
A recent report showed 82% of HR staff do not measure the return on investment of their own practices. Denis Barnard reveals seven questions you should be asking to ensure your HR department is recession-proof. It’s an unpalatable truth that some HR directors are failing to make business cases that resonate with their […]
HR tip: Appeal problem
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: I am the manager of a small UK operation of an American conglomerate and my boss is in America. I handle all disciplinary matters including giving warnings and dismissing. But what should […]
Office de-stressing exercises
When suffering from stress at work, tension can accumulate in the most vulnerable areas of the body such as the upper back, shoulders, neck and head, leading to an uncomfortable range of physiological grumbles, aches and pains. While gin or even a bit of shouting can both often be effective cathartic techniques, they are not […]
Patersons adds HR module for free, but at what cost?
Technology correspondent Jon Wilcox speaks to Patersons’ CEO about its new strategy, the increasing acceptance of ‘the cloud’, and news of an upcoming solution for SMEs. Global payroll provider Patersons has confirmed it’s giving away one free HR module with every purchase of its payroll solution. The announcement comes just weeks before the CIPD HR Software Show, […]
Recruiters must understand online job searching trends, says Google
Recruiters must keep up with the latest online jobseeking trends to avoid being left behind, according to the head of careers at Google. Speaking at the Onrec.com Online Recruitment Conference in London on Tuesday, Google’s Luke Mckend said: "As recruiters, the onus is on us to keep up with the candidates, as they are one […]
Ask the expert: Alcohol policy and religion
An employer would like to develop an alcohol policy that takes into account employees who cannot drink due to religious reasons. Esther Smith and Martin Brewer advise. The question: We have two scenarios :- A manager may invite their team out after work to celebrate a fundraising success. We may crack open a bottle of champagne in […]
Paternity leave plans put on hold
Proposals to let parents share a year of leave to help raise a child have been put on hold by business secretary Lord Mandelson, due to the economic crisis. Despite backing by Equality Minister Harriet Harman, the plans to extend paid maternity leave to 12 months and allow fathers to share up to six months […]
The Equality Bill: HR and employment-related implications
Debra Gers outlines why employers must ensure they are aware of the implications of the Equality Bill, which was published in April, including issues such as gender pay monitoring and positive action. The Equality Bill 2009 was published in April and attracted media interest and, it is fair to say, some controversy too. The purposes of the Equality […]
The impact of the recession on recruitment
Whether levels have dropped or increased, recruitment processes have definitely changed since we entered into the recession. Lucie Mitchell examines exactly what impact the downturn has had on recruitment and retention in UK organisations. The most obvious impact of the recession on organisations is that employers are recruiting less and making more redundancies. […]
Agresso Salary Review heading to HRSS
Agresso’s new module is to be unveiled at this month’s HR Software Show. Jon Wilcox reports. HR and payroll software specialist, Agresso, has announced it is to showcase its Salary Review module at the HR Software Show (HRSS), taking place at London’s Olympia Conference Centre on 17 and 18 June. According to Agresso, the module (a […]
Preparing your organisation for the upturn
The survivors of a redundancy process are the springboard for the future of the organisation, so employers must ensure they remain motivated and loyal to enable the business to come out on top when the upturn eventually arrives. Nick Golding reports. From politicians to journalists and from business leaders to academics, many have put forward their predictions, but no one […]
HR tip: Termination arrangement for struggling employee
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: "One of our long-serving employees is struggling to cope with work. We had no intention of dismissing him but he has said that he would like to leave and would do so […]
The consequences of failing in health and safety
Employers risk huge fines and even imprisonment if they fail to implement the correct health and safety duties, however the effective enforcement of this law has recently been questioned. Charles Price explains. An employer’s duties The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSWA 1974) sets out the basic health and safety duties of […]
Essential free apps for your BlackBerry
Trendy iPod Touch and iPhone owners readily boast how ‘apps’ (applications) have quickly become a staple part of the portable tech and gadgetry world. As Apple’s commercials relentlessly push, there’s an app for anything, from splitting the cost of a restaurant bill to finding a restaurant in the first place. This penetration of apps into […]
Jaded jobseeker pledges to work 365 jobs in 365 days
A 30-year-old unemployed father of three from Lancashire is attempting a record-breaking challenge by working 365 different jobs, one each day, for an entire year. Jamie Dodd, supported by online recruitment resource Monster.co.uk, decided to set up ‘Project-365’ in an attempt to find his dream career after getting disheartened by the job-seeking process. The project […]
Emails you wish you hadn’t sent
Most people will know the sinking sensation one feels as an email blunder zips its way across cyber-space, your embarrassment moving irretrievably towards its destination at light speed. We’re not going to give you another list of email etiquette dos and don’ts – we want to hear about interesting and entertaining email mistakes you’ve witnessed, and […]
Legislation update: Stress at work – ignore at your peril
A recent case has shown that the mere presence of support services is not adequate if an employer wants to avoid being held liable for stress at work. Richard White considers this case further. The leading case in the area of stress at work is Hatton v Sutherland in which the Court of […]
Ask the expert: Garden leave
If an employee is given notice and goes on garden leave, what are the consequences if they go to work for another organisation? Esther Smith and Matthew Whelan advise. The question If, within a contract, it states that when a person gives notice and goes on garden leave they cannot work for anyone else, […]
Meetings…yawn!
People spend countless hours involved in meetings, but what if this time could be more productive? Steve Turner reveals how to achieve optimum results from your meetings to make them more proactive and exciting for all team members. Meetings can be a great place to start a forum for a debate. Most people assume meetings will […]