Rewarding the recession-weary
During these tough times the question around how to keep the troops motivated is on everyone’s mind. The HayGroup’s latest study reveals how rewards can boost engagement. The latest study: World at Work has given some great insights into the reward practices companies are planning in the future. Of the 763 organisations surveyed in 66 […]
HR tip: Defining redundancy
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: Recently, a woman took advantage of our voluntary redundancy scheme and left us but I find that, following a reorganisation, her job still needs doing. As her job clearly was not redundant, […]
Opportunities for HR with the ‘New Normal’
In the wake of the credit crunch, relationship management and the ‘soft stuff’ are now more important than number crunching and commercial offerings. Neela Bettridge discusses HR’s role in ‘The New Normal.’ There is a huge opportunity for human resources professions emerging in the wake of the credit crisis. And there is a new term […]
New redundancy alternative announced
A controversial move to quell the numbers of redundant workers has this week been proposed by business leaders. The CBI has called for a shake-up in the way companies deal with redundancy by proposing the “Alternative to Redundancy” (ATR) scheme. Workers would receive about £130 a week, paid equally by the government and the employer […]
Royal Mail staff set for three-day strike
Royal Mail workers in London are preparing for a three-day postal strike in an attempt to halt ‘efficiency’ cuts. The row over modernisation of the workforce has prompted strike action and will see delivery workers downing postbags while distribution and logistics staff are preparing to walk-out tomorrow and mail centre staff on Friday. According to […]
Absenteeism rises as swine flu takes hold
Staff absenteeism due to coughs, colds and flu-like symptoms is 66% higher than for the same period last year. The news came as ministers warned that swine flu cases could soon hit 100,000 a day by the end of next month, and a 19-year-old became the fourth victim of the outbreak. The last week in […]
Ask the expert: Maternity leave job changes
An employee has returned from maternity leave to a much lesser role and feels sidelined. John Brandon and Esther Smith advise on what her options are. The question I have recently returned to work from 26 weeks’ maternity leave. During my leave, maternity cover was sought, which started in April, and I returned to work in May. […]
Effective change management: Interims in the driving seat
In these difficult times, businesses need as much help as possible to ensure they are best placed to weather the economic storm, says Paul Botting. The recession has emphasised the need for organisations across the public and private sector to take a fresh look at their inner workings and indeed, their HR policies. There can […]
The top five myths about motivating employees
Suzanne Bates investigates five of the most common myths surrounding the motivation of employees, and turns up a few surprises. In a typical workplace, only 29% of employees are actively motivated and engaged in their jobs, while 71% are unmotivated and disengaged – either not engaged at all (54%) or are actively disengaged (17%), according […]
New Look launches job magazine
Fashion brand New Look has announced the launch of a new internal magazine to help bolster employee engagement and motivation. The magazine has been created to promote the company’s overall strategy, branding and thinking to its team with the style, content and language being carefully selected to appeal to New Look’s workforce. Aimed squarely at […]
Grad job slump will last until 2010
The first confirmed graduate recruitment figures published today have revealed the reality of the UK job market, and it makes for grim reading. According to the Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR), which published the summer edition of its bi-annual survey today, graduate jobs have been cut by one quarter this year approaching levels not seen […]
Government ‘whistleblowing’ consultation begins
The government today begins a consultation on how employment tribunals can pass on details about whistleblowing cases to appropriate regulators. The measure is being created to help make it easier for regulators to assess whistle blowing claims and decide whether further action needs to be taken. In addition, the consultation aims to create a clear […]
Managing the redundancy survivors: A constant challenge
The impact of redundancy can be felt for quite some time afterwards, and it is HR’s job to successfully manage those who remain, as they are key to your success, says Judith Leary-Joyce. When redundancy hits, everyone is affected. There are no winners, no smiling faces. A little relief maybe – ‘thank heaven it wasn’t me’ […]
HR tip: What is theft?
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: An employee was given a final warning for stealing some lengths of timber. However, a few days later he reported one of our team leaders for theft because, he said, she handed […]
Time to bite the self-service bullet?
Cat Rickard outlines the types of benefits associated with introducing HR self-service systems and some considerations to take into account before deciding to implement it. Many organisations invest heavily in HR IT systems but, when it comes to rolling out full employee and manager self-service, decide this is a bridge too far. Issues associated with line […]
How to keep your employees cool during the heatwave
Phew! What a scorcher! With Britain basking in a heatwave, its employers are being warned that they must implement ‘cooling down’ policies to protect their staff from serious illness and prevent a drop in productivity. HSE guidelines state that employers have a duty to ensure a reasonable workplace temperature but, with no legal maximum in […]
Are they being served?
With HR’s attention well and truly focused on managing redundancies and pay cuts, has it taken its eye of the ball when it comes to employee engagement? HR certainly has its hands full at the moment. If it’s not calming the waters post redundancy it’s pacifying those who may have pay, benefits or training cuts. […]
Report reveals HR is pro social networking
HR professionals are finally embracing social networking to inform important business decisions, a new report has revealed. The survey, conducted by Communications Management, a reputation management agency specialising in workplace issues, found that of the 250 HR decision makers surveyed, eight out of ten use social networking to some extent, while over a quarter have become aware […]
Ask the expert: Investigation into a complaint
An employer has received a number of complaints against an employee from one of their customers, yet has questioned the impartiality of the complaints. Martin Brewer and Esther Smith advise on whether this should go to a disciplinary hearing. The question: The company received a complaint from one of our service users (a recreational club) […]
Necessity should be the mother of innovation
The best way to deal with a recession is to innovate your way out of it. Professor Martin Binks, Dr Simon Mosey, and Paul Kirkham warn that if you cut back on everything, you will be cutting back on the very things that can help you to survive and grow. The imperative of thinking differently, identifying and […]
