Women dip out as apprenticeships geared towards men
Apprenticeships continue to be the preserve of the boys with women being left behind in the opportunity stakes.The Trades Union Congress (TUC) report, Still More (Better Paid) Jobs for the Boys, prepared for the Young Members’ Forum, showed that while the proportion of men and women is fairly evenly split – 54.2% of people starting […]
Learning at work: The key to qualification?
A qualification for flipping burgers? A degree for turning up at work? The Employer Based Training Accreditation (EBTA) programme is designed to give employees the chance to gain qualifications whilst at work. Annie Hayes finds out if it holds much currency. The Employer Based Training Accreditation (EBTA) programme is a response to Lord Leitch’s skills […]
The workplace injuries a surgeon cannot heal
Jane Fraser looks at the responsibility employers have for long-term mental health repercussions of workplace accidents, and asks to what extent should businesses consider mental wellbeing as part of their wider health and safety policies? In 1996, maintenance engineer Thomas Corr was working to repair a fault on a malfunctioning car panel production machine. Without […]
How to stop the appraisal rot
Recent research has suggested that just 58% of the UK’s workforce receive a formal appraisal and that poorly executed appraisals are costing the UK economy over £2 billion. Gareth Chick presents his top tips for appraisal success. Investors in People announced in December 2007 that UK workers no longer rate employee appraisals. According to its […]
HR tip: Mobile phone use at work
These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Question:"Are we entitled to restrict the use of personal mobile phones at work?" HR tip:Indeed you are. If used for private calls during work hours, the employee is being paid for being unproductive […]
Empower your managers to power your business
There is an increasingly large burden of duties falling on line managers’ shoulders and, in turn, a growing need for the appropriate tools to address them. Phil Brown examines how HR can help. Every business believes that its people are critical to its success: as such, line managers play a pivotal role in ensuring that […]
Experts demand delay to sexual harassment rules
HRZone.co.uk is calling for the delayed implementation of new sexual harassment rules, due to come into force on 6 April, after it was revealed that the regulations were only laid down in Parliament three weeks ago.The website has teamed up with sister site BusinessZone.co.uk, which provides free advice to thousands of entrepreneurs, to demand the […]
Education workers suffer poor health
Working in the education sector is bad for your health, according to the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) and Teacher Support Network survey. As many as 70% of teachers and lecturers say their health has suffered because of their job, whilst over 50% are stressed by working in education. The health impact is even […]
UBS faces further job cuts as credit crunch gloom spreads
The 9,000 staff working for Swiss bank UBS in London are bracing themselves for further job cuts as the organisation becomes the biggest credit crunch victim to date.Reported by The Times newspaper, the bank has disclosed big new losses from US sub-prime mortgages and structured credit. The first victim is the bank’s chairman, Marcel Ospel, […]
Pregnancy discrimination puts diversity in the spotlight
As many as 30,000 women a year lose their jobs simply for being pregnant, and the news has renewed calls for diversity to be put centre stage.A new report Sexism and the City, by equality pressure group The Fawcett Society, shows that mothers-to-be and new mothers experience the most discrimination in the labour market and […]
KPMG enhances package for working parents
Professional services firm KPMG has launched a new package designed to boost the benefits for working parents.The move is a direct reaction to predictions that life will become even more difficult for carers of children.Research conducted by the Future Foundation predicts that the number of working women in their 40s and 50s looking after both […]
Laying down the law: Legislation roundup
The April legislation amendments are upon us again. Matt Henkes takes a look at the changes you need to know about. As the 6 April regulatory implementation date approaches, it's time for HR to make a last quick check that it's not going to trip over some hidden snag. With a number of easily […]
The growth of internet use at work
With more staff spending excessive amounts of working time on personal internet activities, HR departments are under pressure to find a solution to maintain productivity. Simon Norris looks at the options. You can’t stop thinking about it. You wonder what has changed since you last saw it. That urgent document you need to write is […]
Fraudsters embellish expenses to buy diamonds and cars
Workers are swindling bosses out of £1 billion a year with spurious expense claims including plastic surgery, cars, diamond engagement rings, escorts, council tax, and honeymoons.These are the findings of budget hotel chain Travelodge, which claims the fraudsters are also using company cash to improve their homes with new bathrooms, kitchen, gyms, wallpaper and paint, […]
Talent management to be unveiled
A far-reaching study hopes to address what talent management means to organisations.The six-month project, conducted by InfoBasis, is under way, and the research aims to address the state of talent management in the UK. The research will involve interviews with a range of organisations of different sizes and across a variety of sectors. The final […]
Sexual harassment laws introduced with just three weeks’ notice
New anti-sexual harassment rules are to come into force on 6 April, despite only being laid down in Parliament two weeks ago. HRZone.co.uk has learnt that on 14 March, women and equalities minister Harriet Harman used a statutory instrument, that does not require a debate in Parliament, to introduce the rules which impose on employers […]
The challenge of imparting bad news
Jan Hills discusses how most ‘bad news’ training focuses on the reaction of the receiver and that more focus needs to be concentrated on the giver. One of the key skills of the most successful HR business partners (HRBP) is being able to challenge their client and yet still maintain a good relationship with them. […]
Ask the expert: Corporate manslaughter
What are the implications, under the new corporate manslaughter legislation, for policies on company cars? Esther Smith, partner at Thomas Eggar, advises. The question:I have recently taken over the control of company cars and I am concerned about the implications under the Corporate Manslaughter Act. Do I need to write a separate policy to the […]
Strategic development: Are we missing the point?
We often talk about strategic programmes and actions, but are we taking the appropriate first steps? Mike Morrison finds out. Often we know where we want to get to, or at least have a good idea, but as the old saying goes: “If I was going there, I would not start from here.” That is […]
Unprepared businesses face corporate manslaughter wake up call
On 6 April 2008, the implementation of the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Bills come into force, yet research suggests businesses are still not prepared.When the new laws come into play, companies, regardless of size, are at risk of prosecution and conviction if a fatality is found to be caused by a gross breach of […]