Colborn’s Corner: Opting out of the opt-out
The UK’s potential loss of its opt-out from the EU’s 48-hour working week could have significant implications for both employers and employees. While stricter hour limits may improve work-life balance, workers who depend on overtime earnings may face reduced income in an economic downturn.
Stormy waters: Leading in a downturn
Effective leadership during economic downturns requires emotional intelligence, courageous decision-making, and balancing short-term survival with long-term strategy. HR plays a crucial role in developing these skills among leaders to navigate turbulent business environments successfully.
Redundancy: How to manage the survivors
Managing employee redundancies effectively requires focus on those remaining, not just those leaving. Clear communication about reasons and transparent, fair processes help survivors maintain commitment and morale, while poor handling can damage long-term organizational performance and employee loyalty.
Ask the expert: Discussing salaries
Employers can legally include clauses prohibiting salary discussions in employee contracts, though enforcing them is challenging. Experts explain that while such restrictions are lawful and breaches can trigger discipline, penalties are typically limited to warnings as harsh sanctions may be deemed unfair.
Home working: Making it work for everyone
Effective home working requires clear policies, trust-based management, and structured support to benefit both employers and employees. HR must establish career development opportunities, regular team engagement, and flexible arrangements that accommodate home workers while maintaining organizational culture and productivity.
How to choose an outplacement provider
Outplacement support helps employees facing redundancy come to terms with job loss, develop career strategies, and prepare for interviews. When choosing an outplacement provider, prioritize flexibility, individual support, and consultant credentials over budget alone, as quality service benefits both departing and remaining staff.
A week in HR: Interest rate cut won’t save jobs
Unemployment has reached an 11-year high with 1.82 million jobless, while the CIPD warns that recent interest rate cuts are “probably too late” to prevent job losses already underway. Meanwhile, workplace bullying could increase during the economic downturn.
Talent in uncertain times
During economic downturns, talent management has become a strategic priority for organizations. Rather than mass layoffs, companies are taking targeted approaches to retain key performers needed for recovery and future growth. Research shows that investing in staff retention improves motivation and positions organizations to thrive when conditions improve.
Beating the bully: What is HR’s role?
Workplace bullying incidents have risen significantly despite HR policies aimed at preventing them, with one in four employees experiencing harassment at some point. HR departments often face conflicting roles in protecting both organizations and employees, yet few adopt zero-tolerance approaches to address the issue effectively.
Engaging your employees in a downturn
Maintaining employee engagement during economic downturns is critical for organizational success. Effective leaders use recognition and encouragement to build confidence, retain talent, and keep teams motivated to help the company not just survive, but thrive through challenges.
Avoiding redundancy: Get smarter on labour spend
Organisations can reduce labour costs significantly without redundancies by using temporary workers strategically and managing agency spend through preferred supplier panels. Key steps include streamlining recruitment processes, negotiating competitive rates, and implementing framework efficiencies to lower the UK’s £23.4bn annual temporary labour spend.
HR tip: Withholding statutory sick pay
You can withhold statutory sick pay if you suspect an employee’s absence claim is unjustified, but you must investigate thoroughly first and provide a written statement explaining which days you’re withholding pay and why. The employee can appeal through your grievance procedure or escalate to HMRC.
HRZone.co.uk journalist scoops press award
Verity Gough, feature writer for HRZone.co.uk, has won the specialist media prize at the Avanta Press Awards for her journalism on employment and skills issues. The award recognises the quality and expertise of her writing and the editorial team at HRZone.co.uk and sister site TrainingZone.co.uk.
Social Networking – An Opportunity or a Threat?
Many British companies ban social networking sites like Facebook, viewing them as time-wasters and privacy risks. However, experts argue that organizations should embrace social media with clear guidelines, establish consistent policies, and foster positive workplace culture rather than implement blanket restrictions.
The value of exhaustion: A task for the inspirational manager
Employee exhaustion often signals boredom and disengagement rather than illness, indicating managers must recognize these signs to retain talent. Exhaustion stems from either suppressed anxiety during uncertain times or high performers recognizing they’ve outgrown their current role. Understanding these underlying causes helps managers address root issues and keep engaged employees from seeking opportunities elsewhere.
Ask the expert: Is this discrimination?
A five-year UK residency requirement and employment history check for job applicants may constitute indirect discrimination based on nationality or age, though employers can potentially justify such requirements on security grounds, legal experts advise.
Legislation update: How to determine worker status
Learn how worker status is determined under the Working Time Regulations 1998. This case analysis explains why Redrow’s revised contracts failed to prevent bricklayers from being classified as workers entitled to holiday pay, and what constitutes genuine substitution rights.
Using technology in the war for talent
Technology plays a crucial role in winning the talent war by streamlining core HR functions like recruitment, payroll, and employee self-service, while helping organizations adapt to shifting workforce demographics and generational needs. HR professionals must master these basic systems as a foundation before addressing succession planning, performance management, and employee development.
A week in HR: Stress day looms as redundancy fears grip nation
National Stress Day highlights rising work-related illness as redundancy fears grip the nation. A recent court ruling makes it easier for employees to claim work-related stress, while over a quarter of employers plan further redundancies in the next 12 months.
Software Satisfaction Awards 2008: The winners
The 2008 Software Satisfaction Awards recognized 20 winning software companies across accounting, finance, HR, and customer management categories. Over 5,600 survey participants voted on 19 categories, with winners including Octopus for mid-range software, Moneysoft’s Payroll Manager, and SuccessFactors for talent management.
