No new laws to protect vulnerable workers
The government has rejected new laws to protect vulnerable workers, instead implementing data-sharing between agencies, a helpline, and a £36 million awareness campaign. Trade unions criticized the decision, saying the new coordinating body lacks power to recommend policy changes or expand protections to sectors like construction and care.
Are you well?
Workplace wellness has become a priority in recent years as organizations seek to reduce sickness absence through proactive health initiatives. Effective wellness policies combine health awareness, clear entitlements, and management controls while addressing stress, work-life balance, and employee wellbeing to create a healthier, more productive workforce.
Ask the expert: Sick employee
Employers can dismiss a sick employee for regular absences if proper procedures are followed, but must carefully consider disability protections and explore alternatives like part-time work. Legal experts advise obtaining medical evidence and distinguishing between absence linked to a disability versus unrelated attendance issues.
Half of businesses to axe staff
Over half of UK businesses plan to cut staff despite most reporting no financial difficulties, according to KPMG’s survey. However, experts warn that redundancies often backfire, with companies facing costly employment tribunal claims due to legislation breaches.
Maternity returners to share experiences in national survey
The NCT is launching a national survey to understand women’s experiences returning from maternity or adoption leave. The research will explore challenges like balancing childcare with work, with findings showing most returners go back within 17 months, though 30,000 women annually leave jobs due to pregnancy discrimination.
Managing/Coaching or Working with Dyslexic Thinkers
Dyslexic thinkers, who make up an estimated 10% of the population, aren’t difficult—they simply process information differently, primarily using the right brain hemisphere instead of the left. Effective coaching requires understanding this alternative thinking style and adjusting your approach accordingly rather than trying to change the individual.
Empowering Employees
Empowering employees increases productivity, dedication, and job satisfaction while strengthening organizational competitiveness. Effective strategies include making employees feel valued, communicating clearly, actively listening to concerns, and continuously assessing empowerment results through regular feedback and coaching.
Working with dyslexia
Discover how employers can better support employees with dyslexia, from recruitment adjustments to workplace accommodations. Learn when and how people with dyslexia should disclose their condition and what practical support looks like in organizations.
Damage limitation: Managing poor performers
Managing poor performers requires a structured capability process that identifies performance gaps, provides support, and escalates to dismissal if necessary. Poor performance at senior levels or in client-facing roles poses significant business risk, while ineffective management feedback often contributes to underperformance at junior levels.
Ethical Q&A: Effective appraisals
Learn how to implement fair and effective appraisals with regular feedback from multiple sources. Discover why clear guidelines, transparent communication, and ethical practices are essential for boosting employee morale and performance.
Health and wellbeing: Empowering, educating, elearning
Nick Forgham explains how employers can balance organizational goals with employee wellbeing through empowerment, education, and elearning. By educating staff about stress management and health, organizations can reduce absenteeism and improve retention while exceeding their duty of care during economic uncertainty.
The key to change and organisational development success
Many change and organizational development initiatives fail because they lack clear vision, strategic alignment, and proper management of the change process. Success requires integrating change activities with organizational objectives, understanding existing culture, and establishing predetermined metrics for evaluation.
HR tip: Dyslexia – a disability?
Dyslexia qualifies as a disability under the Disability Discrimination Act because it’s a permanent brain disorder substantially affecting the ability to perform normal day-to-day activities. Employees with dyslexia are protected against discrimination, and employers must take reasonable steps to provide support.
Celebrity chef traits found in the office
A new survey reveals workers compare themselves to celebrity chefs based on their professional traits. Nearly half identify with Heston Blumenthal’s perfectionism and attention to detail, while others see Gordon Ramsay’s pressure-handling abilities or Jamie Oliver’s determination in their work styles.
Networking sites catapult careers
Professional networking sites like LinkedIn are increasingly essential for career advancement, with 90% of senior executives using them to progress their careers. A Harvey Nash survey found that 93% of executives believe building a strong personal brand is important, with two-thirds actively using professional networks to develop it.
Employees demand hike in pay to match rising living costs
Employees are demanding pay raises to keep up with rising inflation and living costs, with surveys showing average wage increases of 3.2% lag behind inflation at 4.6%. However, many employers struggle to afford substantial raises amid their own financial pressures.
The ‘ivory tower’ leader: How can HR help them engage?
Senior leaders who rely on one-way communication from an “ivory tower” often miss opportunities for meaningful employee engagement. HR can help these leaders improve by building a business case for change, raising self-awareness, and providing support to adopt more interactive, direct engagement styles that modern employees expect and respect.
Lunch hour faces extinction
Nearly 90% of British office workers skip their lunch hour, with only 12% taking a full hour away from their desks, according to a survey by Employment Law Advisory Services. Experts warn that skipping breaks harms productivity and health, though some argue shorter, flexible breaks better suit modern work styles.
Half of bosses fail to manage ‘dead wood’
Less than half of companies effectively manage underperformance, while a fifth of employees feel frustrated at work. Research reveals rigid structures limit decision-making authority, with over a third believing their jobs underutilize their skills and abilities.
The transparent talent pool
Creating a transparent talent pool streamlines succession planning by leveraging employee strengths and ambitions. Organizations that integrate talent management with performance reviews gain reliable data for better workforce decisions and strategic continuity.
