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 […]
Beyond the crossroads: How to avoid a recession culture
When the economy improves, top talent will leave if they feel they were treated badly during the recession. Bettina Pickering and Amy Finn stress that all measures taken during the downturn are done with the long-term consequences in mind. In the face of the recession, it is unsurprising that a number of companies […]
How to select the right employee for the job
With scores of applicants chasing fewer roles, UK plc needs better candidate screening, says Steve O’Dell. In an economic downturn, recruitment processes need to be especially effective at selecting the right employees. Not only is there increased pressure on each new recruit to deliver, but in the midst of a deep recession, redundancies […]
Recruitment: Overcoming budget cuts
The recession has meant that recruitment and selection processes have to be more slick than ever. Sophie Pritchard advises how to get more bang for your assessment buck. Talks of the worst recession since the Second World War have left the economy drained and deflated. It’s forced a large number of organisations to review recruitment […]
Finding people that fit the organisation
It has never been more important to ensure you recruit the right person for the job. Ed Grimshaw explains how to find the ‘best fit’ when recruiting talent. One of the most difficult challenges facing a manager recruiting staff is finding people that fit the organisation and fit in with the other people in […]
‘Hands on’ HR is key to successful future recruiting
Keith Potts predicts what recruitment will look like in 2019, and suggests that a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to recruitment will become ineffective. The A&R man who passed over the Beatles. The nine publishers who turned down JK Rowling and Harry Potter. Sheffield United deciding that £200,000 was too much to sign a 17-year-old […]
Undercover Boss: Paying lip service to the skills gap
In the final episode of Channel 4’s Undercover Boss, Steven Martin, CEO of construction giant Clugston goes incognito to find out how his employees really feel about their jobs – and the firm. Penny de Valk shares her views. "Every boss needs to do something like this. Thing is I’m not convinced they want to […]
Five things we learned at The Talent Management Conference
The Dorchester played host to The Economist Talent Management Conference on Friday, where attendees heard debate and analysis about one of the leading issues for HR departments during the recession. Neil Davey outlines some of the key points covered by the speakers. 1. The ‘war on talent’ has changed Ten years ago, McKinsey outlined what it described […]
Changing your HRIS software? Read this first
Choosing the wrong HRIS software can be one of the most time-consuming and costly mistakes you ever make. Denis Barnard reveals the questions you need to ask to guarantee the perfect system. Whether due to company expansion, new management or simply time for a change, before long every HR department will be looking […]
HR tip: Challenging doctor’s fit note
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 has returned to work following a period of sickness absence, with a doctor’s certificate saying that he is now fit for work. However we have our doubts. Can we challenge […]
Opinion: Cost-effective recruitment strategies
In a new regular series, Lisette Howlett provides expert thought and opinion on recruitment and retention in today’s business landscape. This month, she looks at how HR departments can implement cost-effective recruitment methods. I have always believed that cost-effective, high-quality recruitment and retention requires a good strategy (vision plus plan of action) and combination of […]
Childcare vouchers: Parents and employers need a break
Businesses were recently advised to withdraw from the government’s childcare vouchers scheme, as a result of an equal opportunities European ruling last year. Pam Loch and Wendy Hayes explain where this leaves employers now. Since the birth of the childcare voucher scheme in 2005, around 20% of employers have set up arrangements for their employees enabling them to sacrifice […]
