Mental illness in the workplace: The hidden epidemic
With 50% of all sickness and absence attributed to stress every year, at an estimated cost of £4bn to UK employers, isn’t it about time that employers stopped burying their heads in the sand? Verity Gough explores how HR can play its role in dealing with this last taboo. When it comes to mental health […]
Ask the expert: Long-term sickness
An employee, who had been off sick with work-related stress for several months, was made redundant on her return to work but was not consulted with about the decision. Esther Smith and Martin Brewer advise on where this leaves the employer. The question: We provide property management services to a client. We have an employee […]
Up in smoke: ‘Quit’ day? Nothing to worry about
Through a stop-smoking programme set up by her employer, Becky Midgley has managed to ‘officially’ quit the cigarettes and is feeling positive about the future. Well, the day came, the day passed, and I have officially stopped smoking. This week was a bit tricky for the advisors; the bank holiday meant that they couldn’t come […]
Keep ‘Budget for jobs’ genuine, pleads CIPD
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has urged the Chancellor to ensure this really is a ‘Budget for jobs’ by keeping people in work through a cut in employers’ national insurance contributions.This should be backed by a focus on job creation for the young and long-term unemployed, added the institute.Dr John Philpott, public […]
Interview: Cath Bailey, European HR director, Kellogg’s
Cath Bailey has come a long way since she kicked off her HR career as a training manager for Barclays. She tells Verity Gough about her tips on nurturing talent and how she manages cultural change at Kellogg’s within her increasingly global remit. Cultural considerationsDespite the prevailing economic conditions, Kellogg’s is proving that it’s not […]
Video voxpop: What causes stress in the workplace?
In association with Vox Pops International, HRZone.co.uk presents the first in a series of video voxpops, where the general public shares its thoughts on stress in the workplace. In this video, members of the public are asked: What causes you stress in the workplace? Vox Pops International is an innovative research agency which captures and […]
Health, work and director leadership
Geraint Day, from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), comments on HSE survey findings regarding director leadership on health and safety, including practices and influences to ensure that health and safety is addressed at board level. Workplace health is on the agenda of most boards of directors in UK organisations that employ five or more […]
HR tip: Loss of driving licence for sales staff
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 sales representatives has been banned from driving for six months. Does this mean that we can dismiss him?" HR tip: Not automatically. First make sure that you have the […]
Increase in employment tribunals: Don’t get caught out
Statistics show that there has recently been an increase in the number of employment tribunal claims. Michael Delaney examines the reasons behind this and advises employers involved in making redundancies on how to avoid being taken to tribunal. Recent data from the Tribunals Service has shown an increase of 43% in the number of employment […]
A week in HR: The return of the British seasonal worker and other tales
Verity Gough reports on a change in employment trends, BT’s mass job cull, low UK pay rises, and a freeze on the national minimum wage. It appears that seasonal work is no longer the domain of immigrants, if a story in The Guardian is anything to go by. It has reported a change in job […]
Keeping stress down and motivation up in challenging times
During a recession, stress levels in the workplace are likely to be higher than usual. Annie Lawler offers some top tips on maintaining a healthy, motivated and competitive team that can kick-start the recovery of your business. During challenging times, it’s more important than ever to be aware of undue stress levels amongst your team. […]
Up in smoke: One week until ‘quit’ day
We continue to follow Becky Midgley in her quest to stop smoking through an eight-week programme set up by her employer. This week, with less people turning up to the session, she felt more confident in opening up about her cigarette habit. With over half of the group ‘in meetings’, I found this week’s session […]
So you want staff who are engaged?
Staff engagement is, of course, a major contributor to the success of any business, which is why the recent Sunday Times ‘Best Companies’ list is so well regarded. Yet, asks John Pope, what do we really mean by ‘best’ company and are we in danger of employees becoming too engaged? The recent Sunday Times Best […]
Ask the expert: Reduced working hours and pay
Due to the current climate, an employer would like to reduce working hours to three days per week. Esther Smith and Matthew Whelan advise on the legal implications to be aware of in terms of a reduction in pay. The question:If we want to reduce employees’ working hours so they only work three days per […]
Food Buyer in Good Health after Cutting Staff Absence and Improving Payroll with COA Solutions HCM System
The Health Store, the UK’s largest, independent and co-operatively owned buying group supplying independent health and wholefood retailers, has reduced staff absence levels from 7% to 2% by implementing a Human Capital Management (HCM) system from COA Solutions (www.coasolutions.com). This HCM system, which has integrated HR, payroll, absence recording and time and attendance functionality, has […]
Case study: Health and wellbeing at First ScotRail
The health and wellbeing programme at First ScotRail demonstrates commitment to staff and recognises the relationship between staff wellbeing and customer service levels. Becky Midgley talks to its occupational health advisor to find out more about the company's wellbeing initiatives. First ScotRail is the largest regional train operating […]
How does your organisation impact on work-related health?
Maria Karanika-Murray and George Michaelides discuss how organisational culture and policies affect the quality of working life and the work-related health and wellbeing of your workforce. What determines work-related health?Research and theory has typically placed emphasis on the individual and their job. We have good knowledge about how the quality of working life impacts on […]
HR tip: Refusal to supply references
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: "We have found a superb candidate for a vacancy we have. We always ask for two references, including one from the previous employer, but this lady refuses to supply them. When asked […]
Up in smoke: An employee’s attempt to quit the cigarettes
As part of our health and wellbeing theme in April, Becky Midgley will be keeping us up-to-date with her efforts to stop smoking through an eight-week programme set up by her employer. This week, she attends her first session and isn’t too impressed. Several weeks ago our HR manager sent a group email to everyone […]
Ask the expert: Off sick or working from home?
An employee has called in sick, yet is still working from home and his line manager is discussing work via email. Esther Smith and Martin Brewer advise on the employer’s duty of care in this instance. The question: Last week a member of staff called in sick, then sent an email telling us he was […]
