Sex-pest case exposes legal foul-up
A beauty salon boss settled a sexual harassment claim for £10,000, but employment law specialists criticize Peninsula for failing to impose a confidentiality order, allowing details to be published in the press and damaging the defendant’s reputation.
The boys are back in town: Men in HR
While HR has traditionally been perceived as female-dominated, experts argue the gender imbalance may be overstated. As the profession evolves beyond its “soft” reputation to encompass strategic business functions like data management and conflict resolution, more men are entering the field and hiring practices are increasingly merit-based rather than gender-focused.
Stress at work: Ignore at your peril
Work-related stress causes over 13 million lost working days annually in the UK and triggers serious health issues including heart disease, hypertension, and immune system damage. Employers face significant financial costs through sickness absence, legal liability, and lost productivity when failing to manage workplace stress effectively.
Acas staff in strike vote over pay
Acas staff have begun a strike ballot over delayed pay settlements, with union members angered that negotiations for a scheduled August pay increase haven’t started. The dispute follows a 10-month delay to last year’s pay rise, with staff concerned about further delays and below-inflation awards.
What management want: Raising the contribution of HR
HR departments must demonstrate their business value by understanding management priorities and raising their strategic contribution. Key approaches include educating managers on HR capabilities, measuring service impact with data, delivering results consistently, and building internal awareness of HR’s role beyond transactional functions.
Ask the expert: Data protection
Storing employee training records on a shared drive accessible to most staff likely violates data protection laws. Legal experts advise restricting access to only those who need it and securing the data with password protection to comply with data protection principles.
How can you measure success?
HR can measure success by tracking employee satisfaction and company performance metrics. Research shows top Fortune 100 companies to work for outperform others with 14% returns versus 6%, suggesting employee satisfaction directly impacts financial results and shareholder value.
Rogue employers target migrant women
Female migrant workers are significantly more likely to be paid below the minimum wage, with research revealing 35,000 women denied legal pay rates. Women migrant workers are 1.5 times more likely than male counterparts to earn less than the £5.52 national minimum wage.
Employer fined £120k for lack of consultation
Centrabell Limited was fined £120,000 by an employment tribunal for failing to consult with union members or staff before announcing immediate redundancies and business closure. The case highlights employers’ legal obligation to conduct collective consultation on large-scale redundancies, regardless of union involvement.
Redundancy gloom as employment prospects weaken
A CIPD and KPMG survey reveals weakening employment prospects, with redundancy plans rising to 27% of employers and job creation expectations falling to their lowest level since 2004. The outlook signals difficult conditions ahead for the UK job market amid economic uncertainty.
Interims: Try before you buy
Interim management attracts high-skilled executives seeking workplace variety and competitive pay, with 57% now open to permanent roles for the right opportunity. Organizations benefit from faster recruitment, immediate results, and exact skill matching compared to traditional hiring processes.
Time for a fresh look at CVs
The traditional CV is becoming outdated in the digital age. Digital recruitment now raises security concerns around identity fraud and loses crucial candidate information through data conversion. Multimedia CVs and online profiles offer potential alternatives for better showcasing candidate achievements and experience.
HR tip: Sexual harassment claim from ex-employee
Even after an employee leaves, employers must promptly investigate sexual harassment complaints in writing and conduct a formal grievance hearing. Document all actions carefully, as failure to follow proper procedures can weaken the company’s legal position and demonstrates that harassment is not tolerated.
The danger of underestimating your fellow managers
Managers often underestimate colleagues based on unsubstantiated assumptions rather than merit. By recognizing personal biases, understanding cultural differences, and approaching new situations with an open mind, leaders can unlock missed opportunities and strengthen workplace relationships.
Overworked employees: A risky business
Overworked employees face serious health risks including stress-related illness, while employers risk losing productivity and talent. Longer working weeks across UK sectors like finance and retail create a damaging “long-hours culture” that ultimately hurts business performance.
Breastfeeding women encouraged with £2m investment
The UK government is investing £2 million to boost breastfeeding rates, which lag behind other European countries. The funding aims to help more women continue breastfeeding, particularly those in deprived areas, by improving workplace support and extending paid maternity leave options.
McDonald’s rides downturn and creates 4,000 jobs
McDonald’s is hiring 4,000 new employees to serve growing customer demand, adding 2 million monthly customers. The recruitment campaign highlights career development and employee experiences, building on the company’s multi-year effort to rebrand the “McJob” perception.
Downturn strategies focus of annual CIPD conference
The 2008 CIPD annual conference focuses on surviving the economic downturn, featuring expert speakers including the CIPD’s chief economist and the UK’s Minister of State for Employment. Sessions address managing people through turbulent times as businesses plan significant staff reductions amid the credit crunch.
School’s out for summer: Flexibility for parents
Working parents face a significant challenge during the six-week summer school holidays, with most adults receiving only two weeks of annual leave. While childcare costs have risen sharply, flexible working arrangements and subsidized play schemes can help parents balance work and childcare responsibilities during this period.
Managing performance: Making it happen
Managers drive high performance by regularly monitoring results, asking powerful questions to unlock improvement, and addressing performance issues directly. Strong leadership requires visibility, evidence-based discussions, and the courage to confront obstacles openly with both underperformers and top talent.
