A week in HR: Flexible working extension pulled
The government has delayed plans to extend flexible working rights to parents with children up to 16, sparking backlash from work-life balance organizations and unions who argue the move harms competitiveness. Meanwhile, a survey reveals most workers plan to stay with current employers despite recession fears, while working mothers seek increased employment opportunities.
Ask the expert: Discrimination in interview
Experts advise that asking diversity questions during interviews is not inherently discriminatory, even if candidates feel uncomfortable. A strong discrimination claim requires evidence of unfair treatment based on protected characteristics, not discomfort with questioning itself.
Caption competition: And the winner is…
Our monthly caption competition winner is Amanda Roberts from Leamington Spa, whose witty entry about a customized Robin Reliant earned her a bottle of Burgundy white wine. Check back next month for the next competition.
Whistleblowing
Britain’s Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 protects whistleblowers who report workplace malpractice, yet major cases continue to slip through undetected. The law shields employees from victimization for disclosing breaches of law, safety dangers, and misconduct, emphasizing prevention over detection.
Employer branding: Biting through the candy floss
Employer branding extends far beyond recruitment—it shapes employee experience, retention, and organizational culture. A strong employer brand attracts the right talent while deterring poor fits, but only when authentically aligned with actual workplace conditions and values.
How to lead staff during an economic downturn
During an economic downturn, effective leadership requires maintaining staff morale and investing in employee development rather than cutting corners. Leaders must communicate transparently, involve staff in decision-making, and focus on future preparedness to ensure business survival and retention of key talent.
Colborn’s Corner: A change of culture?
Quentin Colborn examines how financial services transformation may reshape HR strategies and employee share ownership schemes. With banking bonuses under scrutiny and share values plummeting, workers who believed in long-term shareholding nest eggs face significant losses and questions about scheme participation.
HR tip: Misuse of redundancy because a person isn’t good at her job
Misusing redundancy to dismiss an underperforming employee is legally risky. Genuine redundancy requires that the work no longer exists; poor performance must be addressed through discipline or capability procedures instead, or employers face unfair dismissal claims.
A week in HR: News round-up and commentary
Annie Hayes reports on this week’s key HR developments: the end of bonus culture with forecasts showing 60% cuts, managers’ resilience amid recession concerns, and critical commentary on executive transparency and workplace equality issues.
Human capital management: The next generation
Oracle is advancing its human capital management strategy to address next-generation workforce challenges, including talent retention during baby boomer retirements and fostering intergenerational mentoring between experienced and younger workers.
Can you keep your head when all around you are losing theirs?
Learn how leaders can maintain business focus during periods of uncertainty and organizational change. Discover why “business as usual” messaging fails and practical strategies—such as those TUI Travel used during a merger—to keep teams focused on delivery while navigating ambiguity.
Making change stick
Organisations often struggle to sustain change after initial implementation, reverting to old habits. Iain Davidson explains how creating a ‘bubble’ of change that balances hard and soft dimensions—engaging both tasks and people’s emotions—can help make improvements stick long-term.
Do you need a dose of vitality?
Employers increasingly focus on “vitality”—the energy and enthusiasm employees bring to work. HR professionals can help staff boost their physical, mental, and emotional energy through lifestyle changes like exercise, nutrition, and regular breaks to improve productivity and workplace culture.
Ask the expert: Misconduct or not?
An employee absent since July 1st and refusing to provide medical certificates or permit a doctor’s report may face misconduct charges. Legal experts explain that without proper documentation, absences are unauthorised, and employers can withhold sick pay and pursue disciplinary action.
How To… Make Redundancies
Making redundancies requires a fair, legally compliant process. Employers must first confirm the job is genuinely redundant, use objective selection criteria if multiple employees perform the same role, and follow proper consultation procedures to avoid costly Employment Tribunal claims.
Charity Selects HR and Payroll System from COA Solutions for Improved Reporting and Closer Monitoring of HR issues
TACT UK, a national charity supporting adults with learning difficulties, is implementing OpenPeople HR and payroll software from COA Solutions to streamline payroll processes, improve management reporting, and enable closer monitoring of HR issues like staff absenteeism across its seven sites.
In sickness and occupational health: Absence management
Sickness absence costs UK employers an average of £666 per employee annually. Occupational health services can help manage absences by facilitating employee return to work, but better collaboration between HR and occupational health providers is essential for effectiveness.
HR tip: Paying for employee to learn Chinese
Consider the cost and business value before sponsoring an employee’s Chinese language course. Factor in course expense, potential workplace benefit, and any personal gain the employee receives, potentially splitting costs or reimbursing after completion of a recognized qualification.
Driver eyecare and the law: Understanding your responsibilities
Employers must ensure drivers have adequate eyesight under corporate manslaughter legislation introduced in 2008. Companies can face director prosecution if fatal work-related driving accidents result from management failures to address employee vision problems, making regular eyecare assessments essential.
Take a solutions-focused approach to change management
A solutions-focused approach to change management builds on existing successes rather than top-down directives. By identifying what’s already working, involving motivated teams, and creating a compelling vision of the desired future, organizations can implement change more effectively and with less resistance.
