Cost-effective employee engagement
Employee engagement is absolutely crucial during a recession, yet when HR budgets are being cut and the business landscape is becoming ever more competitive, how can HR ensure staff are engaged, motivated and loyal during a downturn? Nick Golding talks to the experts. As the recession continues to bite, organisations are becoming increasingly reliant on […]
HR tip: Pin-ups in the machine shop
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: "The lads in our packing department have some quite racy pin-ups on the walls. A female member of staff, who works in another department and never needs to go into packing, nevertheless […]
The role of HR in turbulent times
How is HR faring as a strategic business partner during the downturn? Mark Barlow reveals the results of a recently published report on this topic, which examined the efficiency and effectiveness of HR during these tough economic conditions. The Role of HR in Turbulent Times is a newly published report from Qikker Solutions. Launched at […]
HR admits to spying on potential recruits online
HR professionals have admitted to searching online profiles of potential applicants for further information on them during the recruitment process, a new study has found.In a survey of almost 1,000 HR practitioners and business managers by people search website www.yasni.co.uk, it was found that one-third admit to searching social networking sites such as Facebook and […]
No pay rises please, we’re British
Tim Holden examines the effect of reward on performance, the benefits and downsides of rewarding employees, and how – especially in this current climate – reward can be used to motivate staff. With an increased emphasis on no-cost benefits such as praise, recognition and flexible working, a growing number of employers are seeking to compensate […]
Internal threats: Are you protected?
David Chernick explains how fraudsters are making the most of the recession – thanks to scaled down HR, compliance and security – and warns both employers and employees to beware of the risks. With around 300,000 more unemployed competing for 150,000 fewer vacancies than this time last year, it's easy to see why jobseekers, desperate […]
Talent mapping: Navigating through the downturn
Having a clear understanding of the talents, skills and behaviours of every employee could be the difference between your organisation successfully emerging at the end of the downturn, or it failing, says Mark Hopkins, who recommends talent mapping as a means of ensuring success. It is important to recognise that the skills […]
Ask the expert: Suspending an employee
An employee has been suspended due to mistakes made, but was not informed of these errors until the meeting at which he was suspended. Should another course of action have been taken? Esther Smith and Matthew Whelan advise. The question:We have recently suspended one of our employees due to mistakes they have made over the […]
Software Satisfaction Awards 2009: The race is on
Now in its fourth year, the race is now on for Sift Media’s prestigious Software Satisfaction Awards 2009. Based on the UK’s biggest single market research survey, the Software Satisfaction Awards are based on ratings from business software users of the products they use in the following areas: ease of use; functionality; reliability; and value […]
A week in HR: It’s s’no’w joke as weather keeps workers at home
It was a double whammy for absence on Monday, with the worst snow for 18 years causing commuting havoc – and it just happened to be ‘National Sickie Day’ too. Annie Hayes reports on all this plus news on rising tribunal payouts and the comedians that got the last laugh in the dock. It’s not […]
How a referee reacts to negative feedback
Referees have been on my mind a lot recently. At a recent football (soccer) game the West Bromwich Albion fans (for those overseas think of a team perenially struggling to make it into the big time) took considerable offence at how the referree – Rob Styles – handled the game against Manchester United. Ignoring the […]
Downturn downtime? Organisation development in a recession
With jobs haemorrhaging at every turn, organisation development (OD) can seem laughable, but creating a robust outfit that can surface from the recession as fit and healthy as before is important for those that wish to build capable businesses for the future. Annie Hayes looks at recession-beating OD strategies. To make matters complex, it is […]
Flexible working extension: How will it affect you?
This April could see many more employees asking to work flexibly, when parents of children aged up to 16 will be given the right to request flexible working. Amy Fielding explains how this extension will affect employers. On 1 April 2009, the government is intending to extend the right to request flexible working hours for […]
Discrimination: Religion, belief and sexual orientation
Last month saw the fifth anniversary of the legislation that prohibits discrimination and harassment on the grounds of sexual orientation and religion or belief. Audrey Williams highlights some cases that show that these regulations have provided employers with many difficult challenges. Accommodating beliefsOne question that has challenged many employers is whether they must adjust their […]
HR tip: Following disciplinary procedure
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: "With changes in the law approaching, do we still have to follow the discipline procedure?" HR tip: Until the law changes in April you must adhere rigidly to the existing statutory procedures. […]
Organisational development in a recession and beyond
Hi AnnieGreat article OD in a recession OD is not just a strategy for recession beating but a great methodology for growth in ‘normal’ times too. It is interesting that in the UK we have adopted elements of OD tools without the overall strategy of OD. For example 360 reviews, training, talent management, management development […]
Leading Leisure Provider is ‘Fit for Business’ After Implementing COA Solutions HCM System
freedomleisure, a leading not-for-profit provider of community leisure across Sussex, has significantly streamlined its human resource (HR) and payroll processes as a result of implementing a Human Capital Management (HCM) system from COA Solutions. This HCM system, consisting of HR, payroll, recruitment, training and self-service modules has been made available to authorised staff across 15 […]
Online social networking: The productivity paradox
The Web 2.0 revolution is transforming the very fabric of business and society today. But does banning wikis, blogs and sites such as Facebook at work boost productivity, or damage engagement, networks and creativity? Matthew Fraser and Soumitra Dutta discuss. The loudly trumpeted Web 2.0 business revolution has been frustrated by a powerful paradox. While […]
Ask the expert: Maternity and redundancy
A position, held by an employee who is currently on maternity leave, is to be made redundant. How should the employer handle the situation to avoid the risk of a discrimination claim? Esther Smith and Martin Brewer advise. The question:We are currently in a redundancy situation and have been meeting with staff in one part […]
HR in America: The last leg of the trip
In the final part of her diary showcasing HR across the pond, Lynn Starsmore visits the HR department of a hospital and medical research centre and flies home ready to put all her ideas into practice. Palm Springs & San BernadinoEven though Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear Lake had been fantastic, we were all really […]