Employees unmotivated due to lack of training
Two-thirds of UK workers whose employers don’t fund skills training lack motivation and see no career progression, according to an AAT survey. In contrast, 64% of employees receiving employer-funded training report high motivation levels, highlighting training’s critical impact on staff engagement and loyalty.
The mechanics of salary sacrifice car schemes
Salary sacrifice car schemes reduce employee taxes and national insurance contributions while providing company perks, but they require careful planning. Companies must consider fleet management costs, regulatory compliance, and financial modeling before implementation, with professional tax advice essential to success.
Do your managers have tantrums?
Managers who frequently throw tantrums damage workplace culture, lose judgment, and set harmful examples that can lead to costly consequences like staff turnover and customer loss. Understanding why managers resort to these outbursts—from frustration to bullying—is essential for creating healthier, more productive workplaces.
Managing your talent to secure a successful future
Effective talent management requires aligning recruitment and development strategies with long-term business objectives. Organizations must implement formal succession planning programs with line manager support, identify high-potential employees alongside specialist skills and steady performers, and provide transparent career pathways for employee growth.
Discrimination law skirts around transvestite issue
Australian and UK discrimination laws treat transvestites and transsexuals differently, leaving a legal gap. A recent casino case highlights how anti-discrimination protections cover transsexuals but not transvestites, raising questions about adequate legal safeguards in both jurisdictions.
No bones about the ban say workers
One year after the smoking ban’s introduction, nearly two-thirds of workers report improved workplace conditions, though some cite productivity losses from smoking breaks. Research shows smokers take approximately one hour of breaks daily, though a quarter of employees say the ban has caused inconvenience.
Credit crunch leads to increase in county court judgments
County court judgments against UK companies have surged 500% in two years, reflecting widespread financial stress and rising insolvencies as the credit crisis worsens. Late payments and bad debts signal corporate distress, with certain sectors like retail and property experiencing fivefold increases in court cases.
UK employers look abroad to address talent shortage
UK employers are increasingly recruiting foreign workers to address talent shortages, with 20% looking overseas according to a Manpower survey of 30,000 workers and 28,000 employers. The UK ranks second globally as a destination for international talent, with labourers, chefs, skilled trades, and healthcare professionals in highest demand.
Ask the expert: Volunteers – does employment law apply?
Employment law protections against unfair dismissal apply only to employees and workers, not genuine volunteers. Legal experts explain that whether a volunteer can bring a claim depends on whether they had a contract of employment with the charity, with liability falling on the employer rather than individual managers.
Lack of ‘social capital’ impedes performance
Research reveals that weak social capital in UK workplaces undermines employee performance, with half of workers feeling unappreciated and 40% believing colleagues don’t value their time. Limited face-to-face communication and over-reliance on email reduce interaction quality and hinder informal knowledge sharing.
Employers named and shamed over illegal immigrants
The UK Home Office has published names of 35 employers fined for hiring illegal workers, with penalties ranging from £5,000 to £22,500. The enforcement action, part of the government’s ‘Enforcing the Deal’ reforms, targets businesses failing to verify worker documentation, with total fines reaching £303,000.
Staff wellbeing key to war on talent
Companies risk losing talent if they neglect employee wellbeing, warns Business in the Community. Six in 10 workers would consider quitting if employers don’t prioritize health and wellbeing, with over 80% citing it as a key factor in job decisions.
Office workers see less sunshine than miners
Office workers spend less time in sunshine than coal miners due to extended desk hours, with nearly a quarter getting less than 20 minutes of sunlight daily. The lack of natural light is affecting employee morale and productivity, prompting calls for better remote working access.
What makes a good boss?
A good boss combines key attributes like fairness, consistency, and integrity while coaching rather than commanding. Expert consultants agree that effective managers treat others with respect, listen empathetically, challenge their teams to grow, and create environments of trust that drive organizational results.
Helping employees play to their strengths
Learn how HR professionals can implement a strengths-based approach in the workplace by helping employees focus on what energizes them and drives peak performance, rather than solely managing their weaknesses.
HR tip: Making notes in disciplinary hearings
Manage disciplinary hearings more effectively by breaking down simultaneous tasks. Ask speakers to pause while you listen, think, and take notes separately, or assign someone to record notes for you. As the meeting chair, you control the pace to ensure accuracy and thoughtful decision-making.
Lifelong learning: Jump on the bandwagon
Lifelong learning has become essential as rapid technological and workplace change requires continuous skills development. While UK employers lead Europe in offering training tools, only 61% of employees actually use them, leaving significant opportunities for career advancement untapped.
Microsoft wins employer award
Microsoft won the ‘Employer of the Future Award’ at a ceremony in Downing Street, recognized for its commitment to creating a family-friendly working environment and flexible workplace culture that supports employees in balancing work and family life.
Elearning available on iPhone
Mohive becomes the first European company to offer elearning on Apple iPhone, leveraging the device’s high-quality video and interactive capabilities. The platform targets healthcare, transportation, and retail sectors, with the initial launch coinciding with iPhone 3G’s European release.
ASR Puts Spotlight on .NET Workflow at HR Software Show
ASR Computers Ltd. showcases its HR software portfolio, including the new .NET Workflow system, at the HR Software Show in London (June 18-19). The .NET Workflow streamlines HR processes to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and support paperless operations across organizations of all sizes.
