Dismissing an employee: Employers beware
Employee dismissals face increasing legal risks as tribunal cases rise. Employers who fail to follow proper statutory procedures risk automatic unfair dismissal claims and compensation awards of 10-50% above the basic amount. Professional legal advice is essential to avoid costly settlements.
Increasing performance and profitability the psychological way
Occupational health psychology helps organizations work more effectively and profitably by improving workplace behavior and relationships. Psychologists can identify stress contexts and prevent performance issues before they occur, offering strategic advantages over traditional HR approaches.
Corporate Manslaughter: Driving forward a duty of care
The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 holds organizations accountable for management failures that result in employee deaths, including driving-related incidents. Companies must implement comprehensive safety policies covering vehicle maintenance, mobile phone use, driver hours, and formal training to demonstrate duty of care and protect against prosecution.
Ask the expert: Pay for work-related stress
When an employee takes stress leave, employers must pay statutory sick pay (SSP) if the absence is medically certified, regardless of personal doubts about the illness. Enhanced sick pay depends on the employment contract terms, and challenging a GP-certified absence is difficult without independent medical assessment.
Female talent drain slows FTSE progress
Women in senior management roles at FTSE 350 companies have declined 20% since 2002, according to PwC research. The analysis reveals year-on-year pay reductions and widening gender pay gaps despite earlier progress, representing a significant talent drain affecting Britain’s economic competitiveness.
Recruiters look to further training opportunities
Over 60% of recruitment consultants believe their companies should provide more training opportunities, according to a survey of 131 recruiters. The majority want regular development sessions to enhance recruiting skills, while others seek training in workplace management and leadership development.
Maternity returners lack support
Over half of new mothers feel their employers lack adequate support for returning to work, with only 44% believing companies do enough to encourage their return. A Monster survey reveals many firms provide only the legally-required minimum maternity benefits.
‘Work rage’ spreads as stress takes hold
A law expert reports that up to 80% of workers experience ‘work rage,’ with 70% believing verbal abuse is common in the workplace. Unequal workload distribution is cited as the primary trigger, while experts recommend stress management and conflict resolution strategies to address escalating workplace anger.
Tech-savvy youngsters denied access
Research shows 82% of school leavers possess confident IT skills, yet only 35% apply this knowledge at work. Employers are failing to utilize young workers’ tech abilities, with experts calling for businesses to better assess and leverage new recruits’ digital capabilities.
Job jitters scarier than dentist
Starting a new job triggers more anxiety than a dentist visit or first date for half of employees, according to a poll by recruitment firm Office Angels. The stress stems primarily from fear of making mistakes, with 78% of new workers worried about mishaps like mixing up colleague names or getting lost during their first week.
Candidates choose lucky pants over prep
Job seekers are relying on lucky clothing and fashion choices instead of interview preparation, causing one in three candidates to miss job opportunities. A survey found applicants blame nerves and lack of practice, yet 16% depend on new suits and 7% on haircuts rather than developing interview skills.
Why employee engagement pays
Employee engagement directly impacts your bottom line—engaged workers are more productive and committed, while disengaged employees waste time seeking other jobs. Companies must measure engagement levels, prioritize strong leadership and values, and balance competitive pay with flexibility and work-life balance to attract and retain talent.
ACAS staff announce strike plans
ACAS staff have voted to strike over pay, with union members backing one-hour stoppages in a dispute affecting the workplace conciliation service. The action follows recent strike ballots at other government agencies amid broader civil service pay disputes.
HR tip: Redundancy – bumping
Dismissing an employee due to redundancy when a different position has been eliminated is called “bumping” and is lawful if done fairly. Use a proper selection process based on objective criteria like skills and flexibility, not “last in, first out,” to avoid discrimination claims.
Recruitment: More marketing than machine?
Effective recruitment marketing depends on three key factors: brand awareness, employer reputation, and recruitment reputation. Nicholas Thomson shares seven practical tips for optimizing your recruitment marketing strategy to attract quality candidates while managing costs based on your company’s market position.
Change: The final frontier
Implementing organizational change requires securing workforce backing and effective leadership communication. Matt Henkes explores how proper change management principles—including clear purpose, executive accountability, and employee engagement—are essential for long-term business survival.
Legal experts issue ‘office banter’ warning
Legal experts warn employers not to tolerate homophobic banter in the workplace following a tribunal ruling that exposed gaps in sexual orientation protections. While current regulations may not cover all cases of same-sex teasing, employers should still actively prevent such conduct to avoid potential liability and maintain respectful workplaces.
Minimum wage hike welcomed
The UK’s National Minimum Wage will rise to £5.73 per hour in October, benefiting around one million low-paid workers. The increases apply across all age groups, with enhanced enforcement and stricter penalties for employers who underpay staff.
Graduates take job hunt exclusively online
Eight out of ten graduates search for jobs exclusively online, according to Reed Employment research. The survey found that social media plays a major role in job hunting, while traditional methods like newspapers and in-person applications are rarely used.
‘Too young’ teenager wins age discrimination case
An 18-year-old administrative assistant has won an age discrimination case against her employer, who dismissed her for being “too young.” The tribunal ruled the company relied on stereotypical assumptions linking age to experience and capability, awarding the employee over £16,000 in compensation.
