Racial discrimination still rife
Racial discrimination remains a significant barrier to career progression for managers, with one in three Asian managers citing it as an obstacle, according to a new study. The research reveals that Asian and black managers feel more disadvantaged than white counterparts, and employers are missing out on talent due to outdated recruitment methods.
Colborn’s Corner: Building staff satisfaction
Immediate managers are the biggest influence on staff satisfaction and retention, followed by how heard employees feel by their organization. Taking action on employee feedback is a proven way to build lasting improvements in workplace satisfaction.
Interactive guide to flexible working launched
Work Re-tune, a free interactive guide developed by Working Families and Sapphire Partners, helps senior professionals and managers understand, negotiate and implement flexible working arrangements. The tool offers advice on flexible options, legal rights, negotiation strategies and real-world case studies from both employee and manager perspectives.
Businesses lose billions through employee misunderstanding
Employee misunderstanding costs UK and US businesses $37 billion annually, averaging $624 per employee. A new white paper reveals that unplanned downtime, poor procurement practices, and tribunal settlements account for the majority of losses, with banking and pharmaceutical sectors facing the highest risks.
Report shapes HR’s use of Web 2.0
A CIPD report examines how Web 2.0 technologies are reshaping HR’s role in organizations. With only 20% of surveyed firms currently using these tools, the discussion document aims to identify barriers to adoption and encourage HR professionals to debate the strategic implications of social networking.
MPs require more guidance on older workforce
A survey of 88 MPs reveals widespread gaps in knowledge about older workers’ employment barriers. Only 39% were aware of key issues like age discrimination and lack of training access, while 93% said they need more guidance on supporting older people in the workforce.
Final destination? HR in the future
HR faces uncertain long-term prospects despite technological advances, as the function struggles to prove its strategic value. While HR has transformed from personnel management, declining board-level representation and shifting toward operational rather than strategic roles suggest it risks becoming less central to business success.
Free workshop to reveal secrets of career success
Top UK headhunter Hamish Davidson shares insider secrets for landing your dream job at a free half-day workshop on July 1st in London. Learn essential career skills and gain competitive advantage in today’s job market from an industry expert.
Thank ‘summer’ it’s Friday
Kellogg’s summer hours scheme allows UK employees to leave work at midday on Fridays during May to September in exchange for longer hours the rest of the week. The programme has boosted morale and employee satisfaction, with 82% of staff reporting greater happiness at work.
How to become culturally intelligent
Cultural intelligence is a business skill that helps employees understand diverse expectations, attitudes, and cultural norms in global workplaces. Developing this capability improves cross-cultural communication, reduces friction, and enhances team performance across multinational organizations.
Dressed for success
SuccessFactors CEO Lars Dalgaard discusses how HR cloud software can transform workplace engagement and performance management. The SuccessConnect conference highlighted how SaaS-based HR solutions are scaling to hundreds of thousands of users worldwide, with Dalgaard advocating for personalized employee management to boost productivity and engagement.
Change management goes mainstream
Change management has become mainstream in organizational transformation, with 82% of surveyed companies implementing dedicated change initiatives. Most report positive business impacts, though many wish they had started people initiatives earlier and more comprehensively.
Ask the expert: Employee searches
Employers cannot force employees to submit to car searches, even with a contract clause, as this may breach implied terms of cooperation and trust. Legal experts advise amending search policies and justifying the reasoning, though employees can refuse and draw adverse inferences.
Boozy staff trips costing firms an arm and a leg
Corporate away days involving alcohol and high-risk activities like skiing and boating can expose employers to significant liability and accident costs. Companies remain responsible for staff safety even outside the workplace and should assess risks, provide training, and use disclaimers to protect against personal injury claims.
Finalists announced for People Management Award
The CIPD has announced 16 finalists competing for the 2008 People Management Award across four categories: employee engagement, learning and development, management of change, and talent management. Winners and runners-up will be selected at a judging day in July, with results announced at the CIPD conference in September.
COA Solutions Exhibits on Stand H122 at HR Software Show
COA Solutions exhibits its HR, payroll, time and attendance, and HR analytics software on stand H122 at the HR Software Show (18-19 June, Olympia Conference Centre, London). Following its acquisition of ASR Computers, the company now holds over 5% market share in UK human capital management software.
Lloyd Fraser Implements COA Solutions’ eBIS System to Replace Paper-based Procurement
Lloyd Fraser Group implemented COA Solutions’ eBIS electronic procurement system to automate purchase order processing across its 32 UK sites and replace paper-based procurement. The system enables staff to raise orders in minutes rather than days and supports the company’s environmental and efficiency goals.
Employees risk getting fired for lying on CV
Lying on your CV can result in termination, experts warn, as employers increasingly conduct thorough background checks. Even if candidates initially get hired despite CV falsehoods, being caught can lead to dismissal and damage future job prospects.
Sabbaticals: Rewarding employees with the gift of time
Discover how John Lewis Partnership rewards employee loyalty with paid sabbaticals. After 25 years of service, partners receive six months of full-paid leave with benefits intact, boosting retention and work-life balance while recognizing long-term commitment.
Online legal resource for HR is launched
Cleardocs, a new UK online platform, enables HR professionals and employers to quickly generate legally-compliant employment documents like contracts and handbooks at a fraction of traditional legal costs. The service uses plain English principles and includes free access to employment law experts.
