Caption competition
A 1968 Westminster Bridge photo shows a man using an unconventional commuting method. This caption competition winner humorously commented on workplace transport trends, beating out entries about tube strikes, NHS wait times, and company car policies.
Credit crunch doom ignored by jobseekers
Most jobseekers remain optimistic about employment prospects despite economic slowdown concerns, with 84% of surveyed candidates expecting their 2008 job chances to match or exceed 2007 levels. While credit crunch warnings dominate headlines, over half of workers report unaffected confidence, and 77% plan to change jobs within three months, primarily motivated by salary increases.
Sleepless Sunday fuelled by work worries
A new survey reveals 84% of people struggle to sleep on Sundays due to work-related anxiety, with over half experiencing this weekly. The UK, Hungary, and US report the highest rates of work-induced insomnia, while Spain, Denmark, and Norway report better sleep patterns.
Diversity programmes ‘super-sized’ in reaction to globalisation
Over 40% of organizations have expanded diversity and inclusion programming in response to globalisation, up from 15% in 2005, according to a survey of 2,500 HR executives. Companies are shifting away from US-centric approaches toward consistent global training programs to attract and retain diverse talent.
From sick to fit: Can we create a ‘well note’ culture?
The UK government proposes replacing traditional sick notes with “fit notes” that detail what employees can do rather than cannot, aiming to reduce the £100 billion annual cost of ill health and encourage faster returns to work through better GP-employer collaboration.
How to reduce information overload
Information overload in the workplace causes significant stress and reduced productivity among employees. Communicators can help reduce this by using appropriate channels, simplifying messages, and balancing digital communication with face-to-face interactions tailored to specific audiences.
Female talent: Do we need different strategies?
Female talent faces unique barriers in reaching executive positions, with research showing significant underrepresentation in leadership pipelines. Organizations can better develop and promote women by tailoring career development strategies to their needs, allowing non-linear career progression, and recognizing learning from diverse experiences outside traditional roles.
HR tip: Return after redundancy – unbroken service?
When an employee is made redundant and later re-employed, their service is considered broken. Unbroken service restarts from the new employment date, affecting eligibility for statutory benefits and redundancy entitlements.
Colborn’s Corner: Safe and secure?
Data security failures often stem from human error and inadequate procedures rather than organizational incompetence, according to HR perspectives on employee data protection. While outsourcing is sometimes blamed for breaches, the real issue typically involves carelessness and failure to follow established protocols.
COA buys HR software satisfaction award winner ASR
COA Solutions acquired ASR, winner of the 2007 Software Satisfaction Award, to strengthen its HR and payroll software portfolio. The purchase adds core HR system capabilities that complement COA’s existing payroll and analytics offerings in the UK human capital management market.
HR not satisfied with quality of its leadership
A survey of HR professionals reveals that 42% believe leadership quality in HR is poor or satisfactory. The research found significant gaps between how HR leaders view themselves—particularly regarding risk-taking—and how their employees perceive them, highlighting the need for behavioral change and investment in HR development.
TUC welcomes staff voice
The Trades Union Congress welcomes new information and consultation rights that took effect April 6, 2008, requiring companies with over 50 employees to establish systems for meaningful dialogue between managers and staff. TUC general secretary Brendan Barber states that well-run companies benefit from keeping employees informed and involved.
Half of employers would sign up to the skills pledge
A CIPD survey reveals nearly half of employers would consider signing up to the skills pledge, though only 13% have done so. The findings highlight a disconnect between government initiatives and employer needs, with skills gaps in communication, leadership, and literacy remaining persistent concerns.
Men exposed as CV liars
New research reveals one in ten men lie on their CVs, with 12% misrepresenting job titles and 14% falsifying qualifications. HR departments are urged to verify credentials thoroughly, as hiring unvetted candidates can result in legal penalties.
Employee recognition: Keeping them sweet
Employee recognition programs help boost staff morale and retention by making workers feel valued and appreciated. Companies are moving beyond ad hoc gift vouchers to structured reward schemes that acknowledge individual contributions and align with business objectives.
Let’s dehumanise management
Dehumanising management through automated systems risks removing essential human contact from the workplace. Management consultant John Pope warns against over-relying on IT-driven HR processes that eliminate personal interaction in recruitment, induction, and staff management, potentially creating sterile, inflexible work environments.
Demand for consultation on all regulations
Over 600 people have signed a petition demanding the government consult with businesses before introducing new regulations. The campaign, launched by HRZone.co.uk and BusinessZone.co.uk, was triggered by new sexual harassment rules implemented with minimal notice and no parliamentary debate.
Is ignorance bliss? Keeping quiet over company plans
The ICE Regulations require employers with 50+ staff to consult employees about company changes, but debate continues over how much information to disclose. Experts argue that transparency about restructuring and job losses, when properly detailed, builds trust and prevents damaging rumors, despite management fears of workforce panic.
Fall from grace sees elearning on the slide
Over half of UK learning and development managers offer elearning, yet only 7% rank it among the top three most effective training methods. Despite 60% availability, completion rates remain low at 30%, highlighting a significant gap between elearning provision and effectiveness when not integrated with other learning approaches.
Transsexual trucker scoops sex discrimination victory
A transgender truck driver won a sex discrimination case against DHL after experiencing workplace harassment and mistreatment from colleagues following her transition. The tribunal found DHL discriminated against her by removing her regular driving route, while a recruitment agency was found liable for mishandling her grievance complaints.
