Powernap calls shakes nine to five
The Sleep Council recommends businesses allow afternoon power naps to boost employee productivity. Research shows only 21% of workers get adequate sleep, contributing to exhaustion-related absences and reduced performance.
Twelve million injured at work
Over 11.8 million UK workers suffered job-related illness or injury in the past year, resulting in 36 million lost working days. Stress, anxiety, and back problems accounted for half of cases, with workplace injuries costing the economy £7.8 billion annually.
Over 100,000 HR jobs at risk as recession looms
A global consultancy estimates that over 100,000 HR jobs in the UK could be lost during the coming recession, with approximately 50,000 in internal HR functions and the remainder in recruitment, training, and consultancy sectors.
BBC HR chief’s earnings exposed
Stephen Kelly, BBC director of people, earned £431,000 in 2007-08, according to the corporation’s annual report. The salary sparked criticism from broadcasting union BECTU, which questioned executive pay during a period of significant job cuts at the BBC.
HR wouldn’t wish the profession on their children
A quarter of HR professionals wouldn’t recommend the profession to their children, citing better career opportunities, higher pay, and improved work-life balance in other fields. The finding contrasts with a separate survey where 81% of HR workers said they’d choose the profession again.
Sunburn and sexual harassment: The office summer party
Employers face liability risks when hosting office summer parties, including responsibility for employee health and safety and potential harassment claims. Proper planning—clear conduct policies, management oversight, and alcohol monitoring—helps minimize legal exposure while maintaining team morale.
HR takes pole position in race for business growth
HR departments are now critical to business growth as organizations face intense global talent shortages and retention challenges. With employees increasingly job-hopping and demanding better development opportunities, HR professionals must adapt recruitment strategies, build strong employer brands, and meet diverse workforce needs to attract and keep top talent.
HR tip: Problems of confidentiality
HR managers should not promise absolute confidentiality to employees, as serious misconduct or safety concerns may need to be reported to employers. Instead, offer to treat conversations with discretion while reserving the right to act on information involving legal violations or harm.
Can feng shui help your organisation?
Discover whether feng shui could improve your workplace environment and team productivity. HRZone is offering a free online feng shui business consultation from a leading UK expert—enter by submitting office photos and a brief description to learn how natural energy flow might enhance your organisation.
Trust staff with Facebook, says expert
An expert recommends allowing employees to spend 5% of their work time experimenting with Web 2.0 tools like Facebook and social networks. The approach aims to help organizations unlock the full potential of collaborative technologies while building staff trust and digital skills.
When the going gets tough, talent management gets going
Effective talent management during economic uncertainty is critical to HR’s value. Organizations must decide between elite talent pools focused on succession planning or broader company-wide development programs, supported by strong data and line manager buy-in.
Keeping your employees – and yourself – happy
Learn to recognize signs of unhappiness in your workplace and HR department, from declining productivity to increased absenteeism. Jessica Pryce-Jones identifies five key factors that impact employee happiness and offers practical strategies to maintain a motivated, productive team during challenging economic times.
Ask the expert: Grievance procedure
An employee with six months’ service has requested to raise a grievance before dismissal. While the contract states the grievance process is non-binding, employment law grants statutory grievance rights. Legal experts advise addressing the grievance formally to avoid unfair dismissal claims, even for employees under one year’s service.
How to be a masterful communicator
Learn core neuro-linguistic programming skills to transform your communication effectiveness. By building rapport, clarifying your desired outcomes, and matching your language to how others process information, you can significantly improve your impact with clients and colleagues.
Retirement gets its Heyday
Heyday, an age discrimination advocacy group, is challenging the UK government at the European Court of Justice over its implementation of anti-age discrimination laws. The case could force significant changes to UK employment law, which currently only allows older workers to request continued employment beyond 65 rather than guaranteeing the right. A court decision is expected before year-end.
Argos workers prepare to strike
Argos distribution workers have voted to strike over a rejected 4% pay offer, citing the company’s 16% profit increase and executive salary hikes. The union opposes changes to sick pay and pay frequency, with strikes beginning at four regional distribution centers.
Butcher falls foul of minimum wage laws
The owners of a Sheffield butcher’s shop have been found guilty of failing to pay staff the national minimum wage. David Jackson and Pauline Smout were ordered to pay over £11,000 in compensation for wage violations and inadequate record-keeping.
Extra milers believe work matters
Seven out of 10 UK workers believe their work makes a meaningful difference to their organization, motivating them to go the extra mile, according to a new survey by Maritz. Millennials and baby boomers are most likely to feel valued, with recognition programmes and regular communication key to improving employee engagement and retention.
How healthy staff can lead to a healthy bottom line
Employee health directly impacts business costs through reduced absenteeism and improved productivity. Unhealthy staff result in significant expenses from sick days and turnover, while simple workplace wellness initiatives addressing stress and physical health can substantially improve your bottom line.
Controlling healthcare costs
Expert advice can help businesses avoid poor-value off-the-shelf healthcare plans and build cost-effective coverage tailored to their actual needs. While modular products offer flexibility, direct sales teams often strip benefits to compete on price, resulting in inadequate employee coverage that backfires as a benefit.
