Demand for consultation on all regulations
Over 600 people have signed a petition calling for the government to consult with businesses before introducing new regulations.The campaign, by HRZone.co.uk and sister website BusinessZone.co.uk, was originally started to force the government to delay Sunday’s introduction of new sexual harassment rules after it was revealed they were laid down with no Parliamentary debate and […]
Is ignorance bliss? Keeping quiet over company plans
On 6 April, the Information and Consultation of Employees (ICE) Regulations were extended to apply to all employers with 50 or more staff. But should employees really be told about plans to reorganise the company, or is ignorance bliss? Sarah Fletcher reports. The ICE Regulations, which were introduced in April 2005 and originally only applied […]
Fall from grace sees elearning on the slide
Elearning is now offered by over half of learning and development managers, yet just 7% mention it when asked to list the top three most effective training practices.According to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development’s (CIPD) annual learning and development survey, elearning is on average available to 60% of employees, but taken up by […]
Transsexual trucker scoops sex discrimination victory
Vikki-Marie Gaynor, formerly known as Mike, suffered abuse from colleagues after she turned up for a shift wearing make-up and jewellery.In February 2007, Gaynor told bosses at haulage firm Exel, part of DHL, of her intentions to start living as a woman and have a full sex change operation on the NHS. It was after […]
Ask the expert: Pension payments whilst on maternity leave
Does the increase in maternity leave entitlement mean an increase in pension contributions too? Esther Smith, partner at Thomas Eggar, and Martin Brewer, partner at Mills & Reeve, advise. The question:As a company, we currently cease any company pension contributions after a woman has been on maternity leave for six months. Now that the maternity […]
‘Cliff edge’ retirement sends out shock waves
Workers who stop work one day and fall into retirement the next are finding it increasingly difficult to adjust.New research by Ipsos MORI shows a mixed bag of emotions for those waking up on day one of retirement, with under a third saying they felt relaxed and under a quarter feeling free. Sadly, one in […]
Corporate killing law could be tougher, says TUC
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) says it would have liked to have seen tougher penalties imposed for the new corporate manslaughter laws which came into force on 6 April 2008, with company directors made personally liable for safety breaches.Companies, regardless of size, are now at risk of prosecution and conviction if a fatality is found […]
Mass absence from work on 15 May
Millions plan to stay away from work for a day on Thursday 15 May 2008, in what is thought to be the largest mass absence from work for a generation.Organised by Work Wise UK, a not-for-profit initiative, and led by BT and Transport for London, with the approval of organisations including TUC, CBI and British […]
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 […]
