Development times – appraisal times
Separating annual performance appraisals from personal development processes can improve employee engagement by addressing different mindsets. Performance reviews linked to pay assessments differ fundamentally from development conversations focused on competency feedback, suggesting organizations should decouple these processes for greater effectiveness.
Additional paternity leave: Sleepless nights for businesses?
The government’s proposed additional paternity leave law would allow fathers to take up to 26 weeks’ leave if the mother returns to work, but business leaders debate whether it’s viable during economic downturns. Employment experts highlight concerns about staffing coverage, confirmation procedures, and disproportionate impact on smaller businesses already struggling financially.
HR tip: Workplace affairs
Employers should not intervene in workplace affairs unless they affect job performance or workplace conduct. Take action only if employees are neglecting work, behaving improperly at work, or if one supervises the other, which raises favoritism concerns. Document any decisions and avoid discriminatory transfers.
Corporate manslaughter: One year on
One year after the Corporate Manslaughter Act came into force, organizations must strengthen duty of care requirements and health and safety policies, particularly for employees traveling on business. HR professionals face significant challenges implementing travel risk management programs that include proper risk assessment, employee tracking, and documented safety procedures to mitigate legal liability.
Employee assessment: Uncovering the corporate knowledge gap
Regular employee assessments help HR professionals identify skills gaps and corporate knowledge deficiencies, enabling informed decisions during redundancies and improving overall business competitiveness. Understanding employee strengths and vulnerabilities reduces costly misunderstandings and protects customer relationships.
Colborn’s Corner: 65 and out!
The European Court of Justice ruled that a default retirement age of 65 may breach equal treatment directives, raising questions about whether mandatory retirement is fair. This decision could end challenges like the Heyday case and force employers to reconsider rigid retirement policies.
Releasing change in today’s complex workforce
Many change projects fail because organizations focus on driving change rather than releasing it—inspiring and enabling people to genuinely embrace new behaviors. Effective change requires balancing structured programs with people-centered approaches that engage hearts and minds, not just compliance.
Ask the expert: Grievance and disciplinary meeting
Learn whether an employer can proceed with a disciplinary meeting before concluding an employee’s grievance, and what to do if the employee is on sick leave. Expert legal advice on handling overlapping grievance and disciplinary procedures.
Is it bye bye bonuses?
Government efforts to curb executive bonuses may not eliminate them entirely. Bonus schemes remain effective motivational tools, and those built into employment contracts often cannot be unilaterally removed by employers without legal consequences.
HR blogosphere bulletin
Jon Ingham curates the latest HR blog discussions, covering social media trends in human resources, employee engagement strategies, and workplace responses to recession challenges. This twice-monthly bulletin highlights key insights from leading HR bloggers and industry experts.
A week in HR: Discrimination, data and Women’s Day
Age discrimination claims surged by over 25% in the past year, while the European Court of Justice ruled that forced retirement at 65 is legally permissible. Employment law experts warn the trend reflects broader concerns about workplace discrimination and compliance challenges for employers navigating these complex regulations.
Updated… A week in HR: Do employers need ‘thicker skins’?
A week in HR news covers the Sunday Times Best 100 Small Companies list, where employers face debate over social media monitoring after a teenager’s Facebook post led to dismissal. The week also highlights banking sector pay concerns, rising Eurozone unemployment, and new HR toolkit launches for franchisors.
Start studying: Employment law round-up
April brings significant employment law changes including expanded flexible working rights to age 16, increased statutory holiday allowance, and amendments to disciplinary and grievance procedures. HR departments must prepare for potential increases in flexible working requests and ensure clear communication with staff about new regulations.
HR blunder of the month: Money for nothing
A New York state employee claims he’s been deliberately sidelined for seven years, sitting at his desk earning nearly $94,000 annually while being given no meaningful work. The director of investigations alleges discrimination and retaliation after a previous lawsuit against the state.
Heydey case to be sent back to UK high court
The European Court of Justice ruled the UK’s default retirement age of 65 doesn’t breach EU equality law, but the case returns to the High Court to determine if the government can justify the policy. Age campaigners have criticized the decision and called for the retirement age to be abolished.
Making 360 feedback work in your organisation
360 feedback is growing in popularity within performance management systems. HR professionals recommend winning buy-in through clear communication and briefing meetings, while streamlining the process to minimize time demands on managers and employees completing questionnaires.
Law Firm Streamlines HR and Payroll Processes, Supports Green Agenda and Improves Recruitment with COA Solutions
Browne Jacobson law firm implemented COA Solutions’ HR Pro system to streamline HR and payroll processes, reduce paper use, and support its environmental goals. The HCM system improved recruitment strategy and cut pay review time from three days to half a day while enabling employee self-service access to HR records.
Past, present and future: Health & safety at work
Marking 35 years since the Health and Safety at Work Act, this article examines how the landmark 1974 legislation transformed UK workplace safety, resulting in a 75% reduction in fatal accidents, and explores what the future may hold.
HR tip: Moonlighting
Employers can restrict employee moonlighting only in specific circumstances: if secondary work involves a competitor, if it affects job performance, or if combined hours exceed the 48-hour weekly limit under Working Time Regulations. Consider requiring written permission for outside employment.
HRZone.co.uk exclusive: European Commission to tackle gender pay gap
The European Commission launched a campaign to close the gender pay gap, which data shows remains at 17.4% with women earning significantly less than men on average. The initiative aims to strengthen existing equality legislation through training, awareness campaigns, and promoting best practices among employers across Europe.
