Spelling slipups top CV blunder list
Spelling mistakes are the top CV mistake according to recruitment professionals, with 54% of employers citing poor spelling as their biggest concern. Bad layout, excessive length, and overuse of buzz words also turn employers off, with recruiters emphasizing that CVs should be concise, tailored to the job, and error-free.
Temping is ethnic bridge to permanent employment
A House of Commons report shows temporary work serves as a stepping stone for ethnic minorities entering the job market, with 12% of temp workers from ethnic minority backgrounds compared to 7% of the general workforce. The employment gap between ethnic minorities and the overall population remains at 14.2%.
Are you getting enough satisfaction?
Vote in the Software Satisfaction Awards 2008 to rate your HR software supplier’s performance. With two weeks remaining, smaller UK providers like Cezanne and HR.net are outpacing enterprise giants in early voting, while satisfaction ratings for functionality, ease of use, reliability, and value will determine winners announced in October.
HR interims benefit from downturn as demand soars
Economic uncertainty is driving nearly 10% growth in demand for interim HR managers as companies restrict permanent headcounts while seeking specialized expertise to fill critical skills gaps.
Bloggers on UK HR Issues
Discover a curated list of blogs focused on UK HR issues, created to support professional development and knowledge sharing within the HR community through blogging and social networking.
Managers Guide/Induction
A new manager induction programme addresses a critical gap: helping managers access essential information from day one. This comprehensive guide serves as a one-stop resource covering everything from desk setup to team training, ensuring managers have what they need to succeed immediately.
Temp and agency workers: A fair deal?
The EU’s Agency Workers Directive will require employers to provide temporary workers with equal pay and treatment as permanent employees after 12 weeks on assignment, a significant shift affecting the UK’s 1.5 million temporary workers worth £23.16bn annually.
HR tip: A new fair reason for dismissal
A sixth reason for fair dismissal has been added to the traditional five: misconduct, incapability, redundancy, breach of statutory requirement, and some other substantial reason. Retirement is now a separate fair dismissal category requiring proper procedure, including six months’ notice and considering employee requests to continue working.
Once upon a time… ‘I resign’
Organisations miss warning signs in 35% of cases when senior managers are about to resign. Anne Beitel identifies key indicators to watch for and emphasises the critical need for succession planning audits to minimise business disruption and exposure.
Time for a change? Think proactive HR
HR teams should shift from reactive crisis management to proactive strategy, focusing on recruitment, culture, and staff development to reduce turnover, legal issues, and boost employee motivation while creating measurable business value.
Colborn’s Corner – HR transformation: Are we there yet?
HR teams often claim expertise in managing change, yet struggle to transform their own functions. Quentin Colborn examines whether HR professionals truly embrace transformation initiatives like e-HR and questions whether external change managers could help HR overcome internal resistance and outdated practices.
Benefit claimant count hits 15-year high as jobless count surges
Unemployment benefit claims surged by 15,500 in June 2008, marking the fastest rise in over 15 years with the claimant count reaching 840,000. Despite the increase, employment figures remain strong at 29.59 million, the highest since 1971.
Salary details cloaked in secrecy
Over half of workers keep their salaries secret from family, according to a Ceridian survey. Yet nearly five in ten want to know what colleagues earn, with younger workers most curious. The findings reveal widespread reluctance to negotiate pay increases, particularly among women and younger employees.
Mayor announces hike in London Living Wage
London Mayor Boris Johnson has increased the London Living Wage to £7.45 per hour, nearly 35% higher than the national minimum wage. The new rate will apply to Greater London Authority Group staff and new contracts, with 27 organizations including Barclays Bank signing on to match the commitment.
Increasing employee engagement with their development
Help employees see personal benefits from development opportunities to boost engagement. Highlighting how improved skills lead to better job performance, recognition, and workplace satisfaction encourages receptiveness. Building proven persuasion tactics into your development design from the start makes a significant difference.
Managing performance: The right approach
Effective performance management requires establishing a strong organizational culture and helping people continuously improve their results. Leaders must demonstrate that high performance is important, address underlying barriers to achievement, and understand the factors that drive performance outcomes.
Women hampered by maternity leave, says head of equality
The head of the UK’s equality watchdog says extended maternity leave may harm women’s careers by reinforcing their role as primary carers, sparking debate among equality campaigners and unions about the balance between family-friendly rights and workplace equality.
Total rewards: All about the team
Total rewards strategies help employers attract and retain talent by offering more than just salary—including benefits, work-life balance, recognition, and career development. With one in three employers adopting this approach, effective communication about available benefits is crucial for maximizing employee engagement and satisfaction.
Ask the expert: Social networking sites
Employers may take disciplinary action against employees who post unfavourable comments about the company on social media, but must prove the comments damage trust or harm the company’s reputation. Legal experts advise following fair procedures and considering whether comments breach confidentiality or fidelity duties.
An holistic approach to talent management
Organizations should develop all employees, not just high-potential staff, to maintain engagement and prevent valuable talent from leaving. Research shows that those not selected for top-track programs often become disengaged and demotivated, risking loss of skilled performers. A holistic approach focuses on matching employee strengths to roles and encouraging long-term development across the workforce.
