Businesses worried about extension to parental leave
Small and medium-sized businesses express concern about extending parental leave, with 58% citing potential negative commercial impact. However, most SMBs have adopted flexible working options, which both employers and working parents view more favorably.
Free mentors for rooky female interims
InterimWomen has launched a free mentoring service for new female interim managers, offering guidance on career development, networking, marketing tips, and real-world insights from experienced interim professionals.
Flexible Working Practices
Explore the benefits and practicalities of remote work and flexible working arrangements in this free online discussion hosted in partnership with BT. Network with peers and gain expert insights into how flexible practices can impact your business.
Workers look ahead with networking
Three-quarters of younger workers expect networking to play a significant role in their careers, with 68% anticipating involvement in more networks within five years. Research shows nearly two-thirds believe networks are crucial to career success, viewing them as more than social tools.
Erecruitment blasts public sector hiring spend
Online recruitment can significantly reduce public sector hiring costs by cutting agency reliance, streamlining administration, and improving efficiency while reaching more diverse candidates worldwide, according to new research from Cranfield School of Management.
Science skills warning as funding crisis bites
The UK faces a science skills crisis as funding shortfalls threaten to drive physicists and chemists abroad, according to a new TUC report. The union urges the government to close an £80 million gap in science funding and calls for better public engagement and efforts to attract more women and students to science careers.
Harness the elearning explosion for organisational gain
Elearning has expanded rapidly through affordable Web 2.0 tools, social networking, and open-source platforms like Moodle, enabling organizations to deliver training electronically. HR managers can leverage these emerging technologies to enhance workforce development, though measuring effectiveness and maintaining quality control remain key challenges.
Spotlight: Alan Cairns, HR director, moneysupermarket.com
Alan Cairns, HR director at moneysupermarket.com, has built a diverse 20-year career across blue-chip companies in food, drink, engineering and chemicals. Originally trained as a mechanical engineer, he transitioned into HR and holds qualifications in training management and the CIPD diploma.
Acas web re-vamp promises to entice HR
Acas has relaunched its website with new features designed to help HR professionals, employers, and employees find guidance more easily. The updated site includes regional pages with local training and service information, improved navigation, and tailored resources covering employment topics like maternity leave, training, and workplace equality.
Half of adults confess to inferior IT skills
Nearly half of adults feel their computer skills need improvement, with a third reporting poor or no IT skills, according to a Microsoft report. Fear and lack of confidence are key barriers to learning technology, prompting a new digital literacy initiative to help close the nation’s skills gap.
Ask the expert: Payments on redundancy
Two employment law experts address redundancy payment taxation and holiday entitlements. Learn whether employees are owed tax-free payments in lieu of notice and holiday pay for unworked notice periods.
The truth about diversity
Diversity should celebrate individual differences and unique contributions rather than focus on statistical targets, argues Andrew Mayo, who critiques today’s “diversity agenda” as missing the true value that people from all backgrounds bring to organizations.
Questions asked as Skills Pledge commitment dips to 13%
Only 13% of employers have signed the Employer Skills Pledge, a voluntary commitment to support employee development of basic skills. A CIPD report reveals that over half of organisations’ learning and development work remains uninfluenced by the skills agenda, though nearly half of employers are considering signing up to related initiatives.
Unions spearhead wellness campaign
The Trades Union Congress launches a wellness campaign to improve occupational health support for 2 million workers who fall ill annually due to work conditions. The initiative includes training 15,000 union safety representatives using a new occupational health guide to reduce workplace-related illnesses and sickness absence costs.
Worker sacked over ‘dead flowers’ accuses HR of being ‘petty’
A 59-year-old Co-op worker claims she was forced out after 23 years over giving a customer wilting flowers that failed to scan. The supermarket denies the flowers incident was the sole reason for her termination, citing adherence to strict HR policies instead.
‘F-ing and blinding’ is turn off for bosses
Excessive swearing in the workplace is a major turnoff for employers, with nearly half of bosses willing to fire employees for foul language. A survey found 96% of senior managers consider swearing from colleagues unacceptable, ranking it among the worst office behaviors alongside poor hygiene and excessive personal calls.
Digital era sparks growing cowardice
A new Post Office report reveals that 73% of people admit to delegating difficult workplace tasks via email or text, with experts warning that digital communication is enabling avoidance of face-to-face confrontation and difficult conversations.
HR and finance professionals brought together at event
The HR Society and ICAEW are hosting a joint event in London on May 22 to bring HR and finance professionals together to discuss measuring non-financial KPIs and performance management. The free event for members features speakers including ICAEW’s deputy chairman and the HR Society president, followed by networking.
Being polite is not the same as being nice
Politeness and niceness are distinct qualities in customer service. While politeness can be trained, genuine niceness requires natural warmth and authentic concern for others. True customer service excellence combines both, with employees who genuinely care about helping customers beyond following rules.
Risking it all? Preventing accidents at work
Slips, trips and falls cost UK employers over £512 million annually in lost production and injuries, making them the most common workplace accident. The HSE’s new ‘Shattered Lives’ campaign highlights how these seemingly minor incidents have devastating consequences for workers and their families, with serious long-term impacts on productivity and wellbeing.
