Exclusive video interview: Chester Elton
Motivational expert and bestselling author Chester Elton discusses HR challenges and building workplace innovation culture in this exclusive video interview from the HR Directors’ Business Summit.
Only 3% of UK Organisations Have a Completely Automated Procurement Process
Only 3% of UK organisations have fully automated procurement processes, despite 69% believing electronic procurement would support their environmental strategies. The research reveals that 47% of organisations have little or no automation, with manual document processing and approval remaining widespread barriers to efficiency.
Performance appraisals every day?
Traditional annual performance appraisals may be ineffective compared to more frequent reviews. While daily appraisals aren’t practical, meeting monthly or quarterly allows managers to assess progress, address obstacles, and support development more regularly than yearly evaluations.
Sorting the wheat from the chaff: Talent management in a recession
During a recession, organizations should refine talent management strategies rather than use economic hardship to eliminate underperformers without proper process. Experts warn that while redundancy may seem appealing, ethical performance management—not opportunistic culling—protects both employees and company reputation long-term.
In turbulent times, people matter
During economic downturns, companies risk making short-term decisions that damage long-term success. Rather than cutting staff or freezing development, organizations need well-trained, passionate employees who deliver consistent quality and reassure customers seeking stability and safety.
HR tip: Changing terms of employment after TUPE
Under TUPE regulations, changing terms of employment solely due to the transfer is prohibited. However, employers can modify terms after sufficient time has passed if there’s a legitimate business reason unrelated to the transfer itself.
Disciplinary procedures: Out with the old and in with the new
UK employers face significant changes to dismissal and grievance procedures starting April 2009, when a new ACAS Code replaces the compulsory statutory process. The simplified approach aims to encourage workplace dispute resolution rather than legal procedures, focusing on flexible guidelines over rigid requirements.
Equality Bill: Stifling women’s rise to the boardroom
Women still struggle to reach boardrooms despite flexible work policies, and critics argue the proposed Equality Bill may actually hinder their career progression by increasing employer costs and workplace resentment rather than supporting advancement.
HR in America: Big country, big company
UK HR manager Lynn Starsmore visits a large American food distribution company and discovers significant differences in HR practices, including advanced systems for top management, strong employee focus, and extensive HR departments—contrasting sharply with her small company’s single-person HR team.
Ask the expert: Forcing staff to attend training
Employers can generally require staff to attend mandatory training courses if the instruction is reasonable and non-discriminatory, even when it conflicts with personal commitments. However, legal experts suggest considering whether making exceptions for valuable employees might benefit the business, while ensuring policies are applied consistently.
A week in HR: Downturn heroes
Global hiring activity is declining amid recession fears, with Western European hiring down to 28% from 31%, while Germany bucks the trend at 81%. City job vacancies fell 65% year-over-year in December 2008, and employers are failing to adequately educate staff on retirement planning.
How different roles give feedback in 360 degree appraisals
In 360 degree appraisals, different raters use distinct communication styles: supervisors employ business language and directive advice, while peers and direct reports provide contextual feedback without solutions. Understanding these role-based differences and narrative feedback patterns is essential for accurate appraisal interpretation.
Homophobic workplace bullying: Heterosexuals can be victims too
A Court of Appeal ruling now protects heterosexual workers from homophobic bullying in the workplace. The decision established that sexual orientation harassment laws apply regardless of the victim’s actual sexual orientation, requiring employers to train staff on recognizing and preventing such behavior.
Employers face imprisonment under new health and safety laws
The Health and Safety (Offences) Act 2008 introduces stricter penalties for workplace safety violations, including possible imprisonment for up to two years, unlimited fines, and increased maximum penalties of £20,000. Directors, managers, and employees now face greater legal consequences for breaching health and safety regulations.
COA Solutions Launches Cost Effective Human Capital Management System for SMEs
COA Solutions launches OpenPeople Lite, a cost-effective human capital management system designed for SMEs with 50-250 employees. The integrated HR and payroll solution offers fixed-fee implementation, scalable pricing, and swift deployment to help smaller businesses streamline their HR processes without straining budgets.
HR on a budget: Getting more bang for your e-buck
Online job advertising offers HR departments significant cost savings during budget constraints, with monthly featured ads costing around £400 compared to £5,000 in print media. Digital recruitment also provides faster results, wider audience reach, and measurable ROI through audited user data and application tracking.
Workforce management: Right person, right place, right time
Effective workforce planning is essential for organizations to survive recessions and capitalize on future growth opportunities. HR must align people management strategies with critical business needs while maintaining flexibility, identify and retain high-performing talent, and provide leadership with reliable metrics on workforce efficiency and impact.
Video: UK must avoid making same training mistakes as last recession
The UK Commission for Employment and Skills warns against repeating past mistakes by investing in training solely to reduce unemployment figures. Instead, policymakers should focus on skills that genuinely prepare workers for future job market demands.
HR tip: Music in office
Playing music in the workplace requires a license from the Performing Rights Society. While it may boost morale, be prepared for complaints about music selection, volume, and speaker placement, as not all employees enjoy background music.
Colborn’s Corner: Gordon’s jobs package
The government’s £2,500 jobs grant aims to encourage employers to hire long-term unemployed workers, but questions remain about its practical effectiveness. While potentially significant for minimum-wage roles, the scheme’s impact depends on administrative efficiency and whether employers prioritize financial incentives over hiring the most qualified candidates.
