Redundancy: How to manage the survivors
How an organisation handles their redundancy situation is crucial – not just for those leaving but for those remaining. Debora Sanders explains how to motivate and manage the survivors. Redundancies are on the increase. This past September, the CIPD legal helpline saw a big surge in calls regarding redundancies and economists are predicting a significant […]
Ask the expert: Discussing salaries
Can an employer add a clause in an employee contract that forbids staff to discuss or disclose salaries? Esther Smith and Martin Brewer advise. The question:I have just come across a clause on a contract where it states that any discussion or disclosure of salaries is subject to disciplinary action. Is this legal these days?Legal […]
Home working: Making it work for everyone
An increase in the use of broadband, laptops and PDAs mean that working from home has never been easier. Tim Holden explains about the policies and procedures that need to be in place to ensure that the arrangement works well for both employer and employee. A recent study revealed that whilst most managers claim to […]
How to choose an outplacement provider
The current economic climate means that, if you are faced with redundancies in your organisation, providing employees with outplacement support is vital, says Denise Taylor. Outplacement is the process by which a company meets a duty of care to its employees facing redundancy. It helps people to come to terms with the shock of losing […]
A week in HR: Interest rate cut won’t save jobs
The CIPD is warning that the shock interest rate cut, announced last week, is “probably too late” to stem the flow of job cuts already in the pipeline and, in further bad news for the labour market, unemployment has reached an 11-year high. Elsewhere, a Sunday Times job advert reveals what top HR workers can […]
Talent in uncertain times
Times are tough. The economic downturn that has rolled across the globe is putting pressure on organisations of all sizes and shapes in all business sectors. Management teams need to cut costs while not impacting on corporate performance. This in turn means that the importance of managing talent is more important than ever, with one […]
Beating the bully: What is HR’s role?
Despite the bad publicity, formal policies and government-backed schemes, bullying and harassment is still prevalent in the workplace. Now, as ‘Ban Bullying at Work Day’ approaches, Verity Gough asks why HR’s head still seems to be stuck in the sand. Harassment and workplace bullying is destructive, costly and damaging to all parties concerned. But despite […]
Engaging your employees in a downturn
The economy may have your business down, but has it got your employees down too? Donna Sizemore explains how to keep your workforce engaged and motivated. When recession, competition or any other crisis strikes your organisation, do your fingers reach for the panic button? It’s simply human nature to do so. Instinctively, as leaders, we […]
Avoiding redundancy: Get smarter on labour spend
John Simmonds explains how a few simple steps can enable major savings for organisations looking to cut back on labour spend amidst the growing climate of economic gloom, without the need for job losses. Redundancies and job losses are at the top of the news agenda on a daily basis in the current economic climate. […]
HR tip: Withholding statutory sick pay
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 strongly suspect the sickness absence claims of one of our workers. Are we entitled, therefore, to withhold SSP?" HR tip: You need to discuss the matter with the employee and investigate […]
HRZone.co.uk journalist scoops press award
Verity Gough, feature writer for HRZone.co.uk, has been recognised for the quality of her work after winning the specialist media prize at the Avanta Press Awards this week.The awards honour journalists whose writing demonstrates a clear awareness of the issues surrounding employment and skills. Articles from both HRZone.co.uk and sister site TrainingZone.co.uk were shortlisted for […]
Social Networking – An Opportunity or a Threat?
Nothing seems to have exposed the “Fat Controller” tendency in British companies than the introduction of Social Networking. The first reaction has been simple, BAN IT!! Frequently this has been also the second and third reaction as they welcome Social Networking with the same enthusiasm as anthrax spores being introduced into the air conditioning system. […]
The value of exhaustion: A task for the inspirational manager
Are your employees looking a little tired at work? It could be a classic sign of boredom, which is a key indicator of the need for change, says Judith Leary-Joyce, who explains that managers need to be able to spot this or risk the person looking elsewhere. John was exhausted, dragging himself to and from […]
Ask the expert: Is this discrimination?
Is it discriminatory to ask job applicants for five-year checkable histories before employing them? Esther Smith and Martin Brewer advise. The question:My company has a contract with a major bank, which stipulates that when we take on people to work on their premises they have to have lived in the country for five years, so […]
Legislation update: How to determine worker status
Richard White explains how to determine ‘worker’ status, under the Working Time Regulations 1998, and considers a case relating to this issue. In a 2004 case involving Redrow Homes, the Court of Appeal decided that bricklayers engaged by Redrow were ‘workers’ for the purposes of the Working Time Regulations 1998 and therefore entitled to holiday […]
Using technology in the war for talent
The talent war is arguably one of the most important challenges facing HR professionals today. It is therefore essential to get it right, says David Woodward, who explains how technology has a key role to play in it all. Last year’s Financial Times Research Centre research, commissioned by Ceridian, found that the top three human […]
A week in HR: Stress day looms as redundancy fears grip nation
National Stress Day is being held this week, with a focus on the increase of self-reported work-related illness. Plus redundancy is rearing its ugly head again as employers reveal further plans to axe staff, with retirees in the spotlight, whilst the gender pay gap is also under question. Annie Hayes reports. National Stress Day, taking […]
Software Satisfaction Awards 2008: The winners
The suspense is over, and 20 companies are celebrating their successes in this year’s Software Satisfaction Awards, which were handed out at a glitzy ceremony in London on Thursday night.“This is the third annual Software Satisfaction Awards dinner – and I’m really proud to see that we have created an annual gathering where the industry […]
Stamping out violence at work
With violence in the workplace showing no sign of decreasing, what can HR do to minimise any risk and promote a ‘zero tolerance’ policy within the organisation? Lucie Mitchell talks to some experts to find out. Violence in the workplace is an ongoing concern and doesn’t seem to be going away any time soon. According […]
HR tip: Timing of redundancy notice
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 to make a number of people redundant and are required to consult collectively for at least 30 days. Some of the people have long service and therefore long notice entitlements. […]