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. […]
Tough times or times of opportunity?
In these challenging and uncertain times, it is imperative to hold on to your key people. Erik Berggren explains how to implement effective talent and performance management techniques, to ensure you retain your most valuable assets. Confusion, frustration, paralysis – these are all symptoms of uncertainty. Whether the cause is mixed signals from managers, or […]
The leadership crisis
Leadership is trusted influence, nothing more and nothing less, says Judith Germain, who explains how to truly understand the leaders in your organisation. One of the biggest challenges facing businesses right now is a crisis of leadership. There is a need to ensure that the company will remain profitable, employees remain engaged and customers satisfied […]
Bedford Hospital NHS Trust Improves Forecasting and Aids Service-line Reporting with COA Solutions’ Collaborative Planning
Bedford Hospital NHS Trust has gone live with Collaborative Planning, a budgeting and forecasting system from COA Solutions, to improve reporting efficiency and aid service-line reporting. This system, which is currently being rolled-out to 80 budget holders across the Trust, is providing Bedford Hospital with significant cost and time savings as well as increased financial […]
Organisational change: The messy reality
HRZone.co.uk member Chris Rodgers challenges the mainstream perspective of organisational change by taking a look at the messy reality of it and the illusion of management control. Stories abound of change efforts that have petered out, failed to deliver the expected benefits or disappointed those who were once their most […]
Top tips on tackling absence
Every year, darker mornings and colder weather lead to an increase in both the frequency of lateness and unauthorised absence. Some may expect these figures to reduce in today’s economic climate, with many people concerned about keeping their jobs, yet this doesn’t appear to be the case, says Tim Holden. Let’s start at the very […]
A week in HR: October bank holiday campaign takes hold
The Trades Union Congress has renewed calls for an October bank holiday – a move that might be welcomed by the credit-crunch weary. Elsewhere, IRS has revealed who is doing well in the pay stakes, and Aon Consulting highlights further pension pot misery. Annie Hayes reports. Monsters, vampires, witches and werewolves are not the source […]
Applying business knowledge, making a strategic difference
Understanding how you can use what you know about the business to add strategic value is key to success, says Jan Hills, who shares some tips and skills that have been proven to work for HRBPs looking to improve the strategic application of their knowledge. “HR is a never ending series of goals and challenges, […]
360 degree appraisal and a high performing law firm partner
“I’ve only got 45 minutes, so can we get straight to the point?” said Charles, the head of corporate law as he strode into the room. The “point” to which he was referring was our meeting to go through his 360 feedback. The “point” that he actually wanted to make was that he didn’t really […]
Ask the expert: Likelihood of compensation payout
An employee has issued his employers with tribunal papers for unfair dismissal, yet the employers believe they followed correct procedures. Esther Smith and Martin Brewer advise on whether they will be hit with a large compensation payout. The question:We have an ongoing situation with a former employee. The person in question has now issued us […]
UK temps given same rights as permanent staff after 12 weeks
The Temporary Agency Workers Directive has been approved by the European Parliament, which means that temporary workers in the UK will be treated the same as their permanent colleagues after 12 weeks with an employer.The UK is the only state to secure this 12-week deal for its 1.3 million agency workers – all other EU […]
Keeping out of the dock: Tips on avoiding tribunals
Being slapped with an ET1 claim is every employer’s worst nightmare, so how can bosses stop disputes escalating and what should they do if a case does reach the court? Annie Hayes reports. Top tips to avoid a tribunal claim: Keep the written statement of employment terms and conditions up-to-date. Establish and promote awareness of […]
HR tip: How long should disciplinary warnings last for?
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: "For how long should disciplinary warnings last?" HR tip: Anything less than a final warning ordinarily should last for no longer than six months. Usually final warnings last for 12 months but […]
Heard but not seen: Managing the remote worker
With more of us wanting to run our own race rather than the rat race, remote working is now used as a tool to attract and retain good staff. But managing employees working outside the office is a real skill, says Anton Levchuk. Remote working is commonplace in business and managing it effectively is an […]
