Training needs analysis: A ‘spray’ and ‘pray’ exercise?
Gaps, wide holes, dark chasms – the dark side of training needs analysis (TNA) is the skills gaps that are subsequently uncovered; but does TNA really work and how important is it? Annie Hayes reports. What is it?An internet search of ‘training needs analysis’ results in a mishmash of answers and it’s easy to see […]
“I wanna be strategic…”
In his new monthly column, Andrew Mayo offers his thoughts on HR business partnership, and how HR professionals must stop spending all their time trying to be ‘strategic’. Like most people in HR, I am a great admirer of Dave Ulrich. He has given HR a new sense of confidence, set out clear ways of […]
Legislation update: Age discrimination – lessons to learn
Richard White, specialist employment solicitor at Withy King, considers some recent cases on age discrimination. It has been nearly 18 months since the introduction of the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006, which render unlawful any discrimination against employees on the grounds of their age. As with most new legislation, it takes a while for people […]
The seven myths about childcare vouchers
Andy Philpott presents some common misconceptions about childcare vouchers, which may prevent employers from providing this service, and provides the real facts in relation to each one. It’s now 18 years since the introduction of childcare vouchers in the UK. Since 2005, the vouchers have been tax and NI-exempt up to £55 per week, enabling […]
Language skills sees bosses lose out on business
A quarter of organisations in the UK have lost out on business because their staff cannot speak a foreign language.This is according to research by publisher ‘Teach Yourself Business Languages’ series. In good news for candidates who can speak more than one language, 28 per cent of employers said they would be willing to pay […]
HR tip: Reducing company car standard
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:"As part of a move to reduce operating costs, we intend to lower the standard of the cars that we provide for certain employees. Is this safe?" HR tip:That depends upon what is […]
Employees to swap stilettos for slippers on Friday 1 February
To support Samaritans’ ‘Stress Down Day’ on 1 February, employees across the UK will be turning off their email and wearing their slippers to work. Shockingly, over 80 per cent of workers said they would rather phone in sick with flu or another problem than admit they were stressed; a sign that the problem is […]
HR directors take centre stage on pension provision
The latest National Association of Pension Funds (NAPF) annual survey reveals that HR directors are at the heart of company pension decision making.HR also sits as trustees on 25 per cent of occupational pension schemes. Around a third of private sector defined benefit (DB) schemes remain open to new members, much the same as in […]
City bosses put ‘squeeze’ on office space regulations
Employers are flouting regulations by failing to provide permanent employees with the required space to work in.By law, employees should be given a minimum 11 cubic meters in which to work. In a warning to bosses, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) can slap flouting employers with a 20-day improvement notice.“When you think that some […]
‘Blue’ Monday tipped as first in February
Experts warn that the first Monday in February will see absence rocket and gloom prevail.According to a survey by Sky Travel, hangovers, lack of sleep and retail therapy are the main reasons people will choose to stay away from the office on this day.Stephen Seymour, head of HR at training and recruitment consultancy The Urquhart […]
Human risk management: Are you in the know?
Facing CVs full of lies and rampant ID theft, employers are increasingly defensive and selective about whom they employ. David Chernick offers pre-employment screening tips to help HR professionals align their organisations’ recruitment and risk strategies. Organisations spend a fortune protecting themselves against external threats: thousands of security guards supervise doorways, sophisticated systems monitor electronic […]
Spotlight: Simon Bion, HR director, BrightHouse
Lucie Benson talks to Simon Bion about his role as HR director of multi-outlet retail business BrightHouse, and how he believes HR professionals need to have business credibility to become part of the company agenda. Vital stats: Company: BrightHouse The aim: To provide customers with the means to access household goods to improve their quality […]
CIPD fight conflict at work with new guide
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has launched a new conflict management guide for line managers.Managing Conflict Guide for Line Managers aims to help equip line managers with the skills and confidence to intervene at an early stage to prevent disputes from escalating to the point where the formal disciplinary or grievance procedures […]
Voice from the workplace: Consulting staff
We continue with our series looking at problems experienced by an employee working for a government organisation and how HR can help to put it right. In this instalment, John Pope advises on how best to consult staff and make them feel involved. Like many others, I find dealing with call centres very frustrating. I […]
Case study: An analytical approach to managing talent
Driven by new performance criteria, the UK public sector is taking innovative new steps in how it manages its people. John Stokdyk looks at the pioneering work of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council’s HR department. For the past year or two, talent management has been discussed on many occasions on HR Zone, but primarily on a […]
Livingstone shames London with inequality film
Mayor of London Ken Livingstone has today launched a new documentary Mind the Gap, highlighting the capital’s continuing discrimination and inequality facing women that work in the region.Companies across London will get the chance to view the film that is being launched alongside Closing the Gap, a brochure showcasing practical examples of companies that have […]
HR shared service centres on the rise
HR departments are increasingly favouring a shared services approach for transactional work.According to global HR services outfit, Hewitt Associates, HR Shared Service Centres (SSCs) already in place are in a growth phase, with 84 per cent of organisations that use them having plans to extend their scope in the near future, both in terms of […]
HR says line needs to be ‘better equipped’
Better equipped line managers are the key to improving HR effectiveness.This is according to a new survey by online HR toolkit for line managers Youmanage, whose findings reveal that as many as 81 per cent of HR managers believe this is the key to improved HR activity.In addition, 83 per cent of HR working in […]
Ask the expert: Handling a demotion
An employee, who was promoted a few years ago, has failed to deliver to a satisfactory level so her employer now wants to demote her back to her original role. Esther Smith, partner at Thomas Eggar, and Martin Brewer, partner at Mills & Reeve, advise on how to handle such a situation. The question:We have […]
Love at work – it’s a corporate affair
Check these four rules on how to survive an office romance by employment relations experts Acas.With Valentines Day knocking at the door, thoughts of the amorous kind are growing, so Acas has produced four rules on how to manage love at work. Steve Williams, head of equality at Acas, said: “Relationships at work are quite […]