Opinion: Cost-effective recruitment strategies
Discover cost-effective recruitment strategies that balance time and money investment with creativity and courage. Expert insights on building an employment brand, finding candidates through direct hires, and developing long-term hiring approaches that benefit both your organization and new employees.
Childcare vouchers: Parents and employers need a break
The government’s childcare vouchers scheme faces uncertainty following European equal opportunities rulings that require employers to provide vouchers during maternity leave. This creates new compliance obligations and costs for businesses participating in the tax-efficient benefit program.
Recruitment in a downturn: Planning for the future
During economic downturns, organizations should proactively review recruitment channels and build new relationships to attract top talent when the economy recovers. Strategic planning now positions companies ahead of competitors for future hiring success.
Abercrombie & Fitch accused of ‘lookism’
Abercrombie & Fitch faces an employment tribunal claim from a sales assistant with a prosthetic arm who alleges she was moved to the stockroom because her appearance did not fit the company’s image. The case highlights concerns about “lookism” in hiring and workplace treatment practices.
Caption competition: And the winner is…
John Gillic wins this month’s caption competition with a witty quip about Lord Mandelson and The Telegraph. The HR manager chose a bottle of Chilean red as his prize. Next competition launches in July.
Online recruitment: Returning more for less
Online recruitment offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional methods, but success requires strategic research and a blended approach. Using recruitment management systems to automate administrative tasks and searchable CV databases can significantly improve ROI while reducing recruitment costs.
People and their screensavers
Research shows scenic screensavers can reduce workplace stress by up to 30%, though skeptics argue most professionals never actually see them. The study suggests certain images may boost productivity, but screensavers reveal more about personality than performance impact.
Ask the expert: Sending home without pay
An employer’s clause sending unpaid staff home for arriving over an hour late may breach employment law unless clearly stated in contracts and applied fairly. Legal considerations include avoiding unlawful wage deductions, discrimination claims, and following proper disciplinary procedures under ACAS guidelines.
Legislation update: Climate change and philosophical beliefs
An employment tribunal has ruled that an employee’s belief in climate change can constitute a protected philosophical belief under UK equality law, rather than simply an opinion. The decision in Nicholson v Grainger PLC establishes that deeply held environmental convictions affecting lifestyle choices may qualify for legal protection if they meet the test of sufficient cogency, seriousness, and importance in a democratic society.
Summer holidays: A source of stress?
Summer holidays can create significant workplace stress for UK employees, who often work 50+ extra hours before leaving and face mounting workloads upon return. Employers can reduce this pressure through staggered holiday scheduling and encouraging year-round time off to maintain adequate staffing levels.
Undercover boss: It’s worth investing in your people
Investing in staff training, development, and fair compensation directly impacts employee morale and business performance. An Undercover Boss episode revealed how one resort manager’s commitment to staff welfare created motivated teams and better customer satisfaction, while penny-pinching approaches led to poor morale and service.
Using temporary workers in a recession
During recessions, companies increasingly hire temporary and freelance workers for flexibility and cost savings, avoiding long-term employment commitments like pensions and benefits. However, these workers may struggle to build lasting team relationships essential for organizational cohesion.
The Stringer case: Much ado about nothing?
The House of Lords’ 2009 Stringer v HMRC decision addressed whether unpaid statutory holiday pay constitutes wage deductions, allowing workers to claim breaches under employment law with extended claim deadlines. However, the judgment did not fully resolve key questions about holiday accrual during sickness.
Success in a recession: What not to do
Discover the hidden obstacles undermining your success during difficult times. Blaire Palmer identifies key behaviors—like lack of generosity and poor relationship management—that can sabotage even well-executed strategies, and explains how to cultivate attitudes that support long-term achievement.
HR tip: Personal hygiene problem
Address employee hygiene issues directly and tactfully as a manager, avoiding hints or public embarrassment. Suggest practical solutions like daily showering and clothes laundering, and recommend medical consultation if the problem persists.
Sick to fit: The optimistic angle to employee sickness
The government is introducing a new ‘fit note’ to replace the traditional sick note, focusing on what employees can do rather than their incapacity. This initiative aims to facilitate earlier returns to work, reduce sickness absence costs, and improve communication between doctors, employers, and workers about suitable duties and support needed.
Unemployment figures hit a 12-year high
UK unemployment has reached 2.261 million, hitting its highest level since 1997, with the unemployment rate climbing to 7.2 percent. The employment rate fell to 73.3 percent, reflecting the worst quarterly job losses seen in the post-war era amid continued economic recession.
Staff development is weapon of choice in recession
During economic downturns, employers are prioritizing staff development and retention over recruitment, with 56% investing in training and career development. A CIPD survey found that 75% of organizations view internal training as the most effective recruitment strategy, though only 58% have formal resourcing plans to ensure targeted skill development.
Ask the expert: Return from maternity leave
A maternity returner failed to provide the required eight weeks’ notice and is requesting reduced hours from three to two days per week on non-preferred days. Employers can postpone the return date or negotiate using flexible working procedures, refusing requests only on specified business grounds like operational needs.
Views on HR news: 10 of the best HR blogs
Discover 10 outstanding HR blog posts curated by Jon Ingham, covering key topics like leadership, generational differences, compensation, executive pay, and social recruiting from leading HR bloggers and industry experts.
