Absenteeism: Communication is the best cure
Effective communication between managers and employees is key to reducing workplace absenteeism in the UK. By implementing wellness strategies, maintaining open dialogue about health concerns, and thoughtfully redeploying unwell workers to suitable roles, businesses can lower the £13.2 billion annual cost of employee absence while supporting genuine recovery.
UK workers unhappy with their salary
A new survey reveals that 70% of UK workers believe they won’t earn their ideal salary in their current job, with the average target salary at £38,000. The research found that three in ten workers are unhappy with their pay, while 51% are too embarrassed to negotiate salary increases.
HR tip: Reinstatement and re-engagement in tribunals
When an employer loses an unfair dismissal case, reinstatement means returning the employee to their original job, while re-engagement means rehiring them in a similar role. Tribunals can recommend these remedies, but refusing increases compensation significantly.
The evolution of change
Companies often fail at change programs by treating transformation as a controlled move from one state to another. Instead, strategic change should focus on ongoing evolution, requiring organizational agility and involvement from all employees in shaping how change happens.
One-size-fits all approach puts retention in danger
A new study shows that generic retention strategies fail to address diverse employee needs. Managers must adopt personalized approaches offering flexible benefits tailored to individual priorities like career progression, salary, and work-life balance across different demographic groups.
Skills gap blamed on money and time
A new study reveals that time and money are the primary barriers preventing adults from learning new skills, with over a third citing time constraints and 29% blaming financial limitations. The research launched Skills Street, an initiative designed to help people recognize the benefits of skill development and overcome obstacles to learning.
Minister speaks out against working time ruling
A Green party MEP has criticized the UK’s decision to maintain its opt-out from EU rules limiting working weeks to 48 hours, arguing that long working hours pose health and safety risks to employees and the public.
Jobless count climbs
Unemployment rose for the fourth consecutive month in April, with the claimant count reaching 819,300 as credit crunch effects impact the jobs market. The ILO unemployment measure increased to 5.3% in the three months to April.
Looking for UK based HR bloggers!
The author, a UK HR blogger, seeks other UK-based HR and people management bloggers. While excellent US and Australian blogs exist, they don’t address UK-specific employment law, benefits, and workplace practices. Readers are invited to share recommendations for quality UK HR blogs.
HR brings in crisis training to tackle credit crunch
Companies are increasingly turning to crisis management training to protect themselves from negative media coverage during economic downturns. HR departments are hiring media training consultants to prepare executives for hostile questioning by business journalists, with one firm reporting a threefold increase in demand for crisis management training services.
Bosses fail to log on to benefits of Web 2.0
Most employers aren’t using Web 2.0 tools to attract and retain talent, despite recognizing social networking’s potential benefits. A CIPD survey found 80% of organizations don’t use these methods, though over half believe social sites effectively engage job seekers. Key concerns include potential reputation damage and privacy issues.
Post holiday blues: A look at the EU annual leave table
The UK has among Europe’s lowest statutory annual leave entitlements at 24 days, though this increases to 28 days from April next year. Finland leads the EU with 44 days annually, while the average across 27 EU states is 34 days, raising questions about whether UK businesses can sustain further increases.
Engagement: Will we ever learn?
Employee engagement today has strayed from proven fundamentals established decades ago by Maslow and Herzberg. John Pope argues we must return to basics: fair employment conditions, clear leadership direction, personal contact with staff, and genuine transparency about company performance and challenges.
Job evaluation: Outdated bureaucracy or modern support mechanism?
Job evaluation, traditionally used in the public sector, is emerging as a versatile HR tool in private organizations. It determines job worth and fair pay structures while supporting equal pay compliance, TUPE transfers, and organizational change management.
A million working days lost to strikes in 2007
UK official statistics show that over a million working days were lost to 142 labour disputes in 2007, with 96% occurring in the public sector. The figure represents a significant increase from 2006 and was primarily driven by transport and public administration strikes, with two-thirds of losses stemming from pay disputes.
DIY employment contracts put businesses at risk
One in three businesses create their own employment contracts, exposing themselves to significant legal risks. Experts warn that cutting corners on employment agreements to save costs during economic downturns leaves companies vulnerable to tribunal claims and costly disputes.
Ask the expert: Employee references – who can see them?
Employees can request to see references held by their employer under the Data Protection Act. However, references provided in confidence may require consent from the referee before disclosure, and recipients can redact names or provide summaries when necessary.
UK secures right to work overtime
The UK has secured a landmark agreement allowing workers to voluntarily work more than 48 hours weekly while protecting agency workers’ rights. The deal preserves workplace flexibility for businesses during peak periods while ensuring workers can choose extended hours and agency staff receive equal treatment after a 12-week qualifying period.
Surf time costs economy £10.6bn a year
Office workers spend nearly 1.5 hours weekly browsing non-work websites, costing the UK economy £10.6 billion annually, according to CBI research. While most employers tolerate some personal web use, nearly two-thirds report regular leisure surfing during work hours, accounting for around 95 minutes per employee per week.
Public support fair pay for public sector
A YouGov poll shows strong public support for raising public sector wages to match the cost of living and private sector pay. Nearly 80% of adults believe government pay should account for housing and energy costs, while 68% think it’s unfair when public servants’ pay lags behind the private sector.
