Promoting health, safety and wellbeing in the workplace
Workplace sickness absence costs the UK economy billions annually, requiring organizations to implement effective absence management policies. Professor Michael O’Donnell emphasizes that reducing long-term absences requires addressing medical, psychological, and organizational factors through rehabilitation and supportive management practices.
Software satisfaction awards: Which is your favourite HR provider?
Vote in the 2008 Software Satisfaction Awards to honor HR software providers and other business application developers who excel at customer satisfaction. Nearly 2,000 people participated last year across 19 categories including HR, payroll, accounting, and training software.
Make e-recruitment work for you
E-recruitment systems help companies streamline hiring, but success depends on maximizing their benefits through strategic planning, choosing the right software, and attracting quality candidates with strong employer branding and user-friendly websites.
Corporate social networking: Why should HR embrace it?
Corporate social networking enables HR to build employee community, enhance communication, and foster knowledge sharing across organizations. As companies compete for talent, particularly among Generation Y, implementing internal social networks has become essential for engagement and retention.
People: Your greatest asset or biggest threat?
CV lies and falsified credentials can damage your business significantly. Learn why robust pre-employment checks are essential to verify candidates’ backgrounds and protect your organization from costly hiring mistakes and integrity risks.
Embedding positive employee health
Online health risk assessments help employers identify workforce health needs and encourage employees to take responsibility for their wellbeing through personalized recommendations. While traditional occupational health services exist, digital questionnaires offer more affordable, scalable alternatives that can achieve higher engagement rates when paired with incentive programs.
Employees want to give something back
One in five UK employees now prioritize making a meaningful impact at work, with personal growth and career development ranking alongside salary as key job motivators, according to a Lifelong Learning UK survey.
Generation Y spells trouble for talent management
Organizations risk losing top talent during economic downturns by misidentifying Generation Y’s challenging characteristics as troublemaking rather than recognizing their high-performance potential. Experts warn that one-size-fits-all management approaches fail with younger workers who demand flexibility, question authority, and prioritize personal development over traditional career structures.
HR tip: Heavy lifting and sex discrimination
Recruiting only men for warehouse jobs requiring heavy lifting may constitute sex discrimination. Instead, test all applicants’ ability to perform the work and consider mechanical lifting aids to enable employees of varying strength to work safely.
Debenhams among winners of first LEP awards
Debenhams, Marriott Hotels, and Tesco have won the first annual Local Employment Partnership (LEP) awards, recognizing employers’ outstanding contributions to helping disadvantaged jobseekers return to work. The awards highlight the government’s partnership approach connecting employers with job seekers in local communities.
Majority want tax justice
A new TUC poll shows that 75% of Britons believe the wealthy easily avoid paying fair taxes, while only 7% think the tax system is balanced. The survey reveals widespread support for tax justice, with 69% saying large companies also dodge their tax obligations.
Restless workers struggle to find happiness
A survey reveals 37% of UK workers are less happy with their jobs than before, with only East Midlands, South West, and Scotland regions reporting improved satisfaction. However, 44% of workers take fewer vacation days than entitled, and 77% remain connected to work while on holiday.
Lack of flexible working fails mums
A survey of 1,000 working mothers reveals that 73% struggle to return to work due to insufficient flexible job opportunities. While 86% prioritize flexible hours, only 31% receive the flexibility they request, with 16% having requests denied outright. The talent gap is widening, as 75% of respondents are actively seeking new employment.
Ashes to ashes: Smoking ban one year on
One year after the UK smoking ban took effect, initial predictions of workplace chaos proved largely unfounded. While pubs saw profit declines and some employers report productivity concerns from increased cigarette breaks, most offices adapted smoothly as smoking restrictions were already common in many workplaces.
Murray mania puts absence centre court
Andy Murray’s Wimbledon match against Rafael Nadal is expected to trigger widespread workplace absenteeism, with thousands of British workers predicted to take sick days. Research suggests employee absences already cost UK businesses £1 million weekly, contributing to the nation’s £13 billion absenteeism crisis.
Budget blow for training departments
Nearly half of training professionals expect budget cuts of 20% or more, with team building and soft skills training facing the largest reductions. A new report warns that cutting learning and development budgets risks losing key talent and hindering organizational goals.
Legislation update: Redundant employee refuses alternative job
A tribunal ruled that an employee who refused a suitable alternative job during redundancy acted reasonably, despite losing status and responsibilities. The decision highlights that employers must provide clear job details and handle redundancy processes transparently for refusal to be deemed unreasonable.
Successful contracting for HR outsourcing
HR outsourcing success depends on thorough preparation, clear process definitions, and collaborative vendor selection. Key strategies include developing a solid outsourcing strategy, establishing baseline service metrics, mapping target processes, and selecting providers within 12 weeks to maintain momentum.
Interviews: First impressions count for employees too
Employers can face discrimination and breach of contract claims if they’re not careful during job interviews. Employment law expert Martin Warren explains how companies should conduct fair, legally compliant recruitment processes that protect both candidates and the organization.
Ask the expert: Termination of employment
Employers can dismiss employees with less than one year’s service without following statutory procedures, but should still document performance issues and communicate reasons clearly to avoid potential claims. Legal experts advise handling termination in person when possible and providing written confirmation to protect against unfair dismissal allegations.
