Unprepared businesses face corporate manslaughter wake up call
Businesses face new corporate manslaughter liability from April 2008, with companies at risk of prosecution if workplace fatalities result from gross breaches of duty of care. The HSE urges employers to ensure adequate first aid training and procedures are in place to meet their legal obligations.
Negativity costs bosses
Negative leadership atmospheres are costing businesses billions in lost profits, with a Hay Group study revealing that 59% of bosses fail to create positive working climates. Research shows that up to 30% of business performance depends on employee motivation, yet many leaders lack the range of leadership styles needed to inspire high performance.
Choctastic Easter competition: The winners
We’ve announced the five winners of our Easter chocolate competition. Congratulations to Shirley Hopkinson, Donna Sims, Suzanne Marke, Rebecca Hall, and Jesse Partington, who each won a box of Chateau Vert fair trade Belgian chocolates.
Employability recognised with new qualification
A new level two certificate in employability skills launched in April 2008 helps jobseekers and employees develop essential workplace skills including communication, teamwork, and safety across all sectors and industries.
Changing demographics drains talent pool
A projected decline in 18 to 20-year-olds across the UK will reduce undergraduate places by 70,000 over the next decade, threatening the talent pool available to businesses. Universities UK warns that policy makers must help the sector adjust to these demographic changes while attracting international students and improving workforce skills.
Attracting great talent
Learn how to attract top talent by building a strong employer brand from within. Alyson Pellowe explains how leveraging your existing team, offering competitive rewards, and strategic job advertising can help your company become an employer of choice that candidates actively want to join.
Talent management: Finding a cost-effective solution
Discover how cost-effective talent management solutions help HR departments shift focus from administrative tasks to strategic people management. Effective talent management requires engaging all organizational levels and employees in career development, supported by accessible systems that centralize performance and succession data.
Workers sacrifice dream job for shorter commute
Two-thirds of workers would choose a shorter commute over their dream job, according to a survey by Unity Personnel. The findings reveal that work-life balance and commute comfort are now major factors in job decisions, with only 37% willing to travel over an hour daily.
Kitted out for maternity leave
KIT (keeping in touch) days allow mothers on maternity leave to work up to 10 paid days while staying connected to their workplace. These structured days help women maintain professional relationships and ease their return to work without cutting maternity leave short.
Prove we are valued….please
HR professionals worry constantly about proving their value to organizations, but research showing links between people management and business performance rarely changes senior management behavior. Andrew Mayo argues that good people management’s benefits don’t need proof—they’re simply obvious.
Legislation update: Employer’s reliance on expired disciplinary warnings
The Court of Appeal ruled that employers may consider expired disciplinary warnings when deciding whether to dismiss an employee, provided the warning is not the principal reason for dismissal. The decision overturns an earlier Employment Appeal Tribunal ruling that required expired warnings to be completely disregarded.
Generation Y requires a ‘viral’ approach to recruitment
Employers must adopt ‘viral’ recruitment strategies to attract Generation Y, the first true internet generation who discover job opportunities through social networks and peer recommendations rather than traditional media. This digitally-native demographic also prioritizes corporate ethics and social responsibility when evaluating potential employers.
HR tip: Proof of drunkenness
Employers don’t need absolute proof of drunkenness to remove an unsafe employee from work. A reasonable, documented belief based on observable signs—such as staggering, slurred speech, or alcohol odor—is sufficient grounds for immediate removal and potential disciplinary action.
Green candidates scoop jobs
A third of employers now reject job applicants whose green credentials fall short, according to a new study. As environmental responsibility becomes increasingly important in hiring, candidates are advised to research company sustainability policies, demonstrate eco-friendly initiatives from previous roles, and ask intelligent questions about environmental practices during interviews.
Orme takes up £300k-a-year post as CIPD’s chief executive
Jackie Orme has taken the role of chief executive at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, earning £300,000 annually. She joins from PepsiCo International, where she served as chief personnel officer and vice-president of HR.
Demand for interims soars
Interim manager demand is forecast to surge over 20% in the next six months, driven by financial services, manufacturing, and technology sectors seeking experienced executives for short-term positions to navigate economic challenges.
Passion sparked by meaning and fairness
Employee passion is driven by eight key factors including meaningful work, fairness, collaboration, autonomy, recognition, growth opportunities, and strong relationships with leaders and colleagues. Research shows all eight elements must be present to influence employee commitment and retention.
Input and Output Measures.
Input measures track resources used or activities performed (such as staff hours or programs delivered), while output measures assess the actual results or outcomes achieved. Understanding this distinction is essential for accurate performance evaluation and resource allocation.
Can the Management Gurus’ lead us to Nirvana?
Management gurus influence global leaders and corporations despite often requiring readers to sift through substantial jargon to find actionable insights. Modern executives face information overload while attempting to extract practical wisdom from the expanding business literature landscape.
Outsourcing or Ouch-sourcing?
Outsourcing often fails to deliver promised benefits due to lack of clear objectives and transparent cost analysis. Companies should establish measurable targets, assess scalability needs, and remain skeptical of consulting firms with financial interests in outsourcing decisions.
