Workers ‘leap’ at chance to train
UK workers want to train and develop their skills, with nearly a third eager to use their leap year extra working day for training. However, lack of confidence in employers, time constraints, and costs remain barriers, despite evidence showing training can boost annual earnings by £2,000 to £3,000.
Data Protection Act ‘top’ burden
The Data Protection Act has cost UK companies over £7 billion in the past decade, according to the British Chambers of Commerce’s 2008 Burdens Barometer. The cumulative cost of regulations since 1998 has reached nearly £66 billion, with business groups warning that government initiatives are insufficient in reducing regulatory burden.
Keeping it in the family: The mentoring legacy
Mentoring, distinct from coaching, is a long-term relationship where experienced professionals guide less experienced colleagues in their development and career advancement. This practice significantly improves employee retention and business continuity across organizations.
HR responsible for growing fear over benefit cuts
One in three employees fears benefit cuts this year, despite 95% of employers having no plans to reduce benefits. Poor communication from HR is blamed for the disconnect between employer intentions and employee expectations.
Talent: What is it? Where is it?
Talent exists at all organizational levels and shouldn’t be narrowly defined to exclude capable managers. Properly identifying and developing individual talents—whether analytical, interpersonal, or strategic—is crucial to preventing wasted potential and building effective teams with complementary skills.
Networking: Supporting learning and creativity in the workplace
Workplace networking fosters creativity and knowledge-sharing by exposing professionals to novel ideas through diverse connections. Face-to-face interactions, social networks, and professional relationships help employees stay informed and generate fresh perspectives that benefit both personal development and business growth.
The business case for HR technology
Many HR departments struggle to justify investment in new HR technology, with research showing 40 percent either face rejected business cases or lack expertise in building them. This guide outlines a practical approach to developing a credible business case and ensuring successful implementation through strategy review, process change assessment, change management planning, and stakeholder communications.
Ask the expert: Terminating employment in a probationary review
An employer can terminate an employee during probation with fewer legal protections if they have less than one year’s service. However, best practice dictates following fair procedures, documenting performance issues, and addressing the withdrawn promotion promise professionally to mitigate legal and reputational risks.
‘Ideas’ week gets ready to tap talent
National Ideas Week is expanding in 2008 to encourage businesses to tap into employee creativity through brainstorming events and idea-sharing initiatives. Ideas UK, which supports suggestion schemes, reports that businesses saved over £32 million in 2007 through staff suggestions, with more than 35% of ideas implemented.
Sick Britain welcomes ‘well note’ launch
The UK government is launching a ‘well note’ to replace traditional sick notes, aiming to shift focus from illness to fitness for work. The CIPD reports that employers rate GP support for mental health returns to work poorly, with most supporting proposals for improved GP training, revised sick notes with return-to-work advice, and employment advisers in surgeries.
Employment spiral puzzles experts
UK employment reached record highs in late 2007, with 29.4 million people in work and jobless claims at their lowest since 1975. However, economists are puzzled by data suggesting most new jobs went to workers over 50, while migrant workers under 40 are filling most vacancies.
Facebook or Linkedin?
Learn how Facebook and LinkedIn compare for recruitment purposes. This interview explores using social networking sites effectively in hiring, with insights on which platforms work best for finding and engaging candidates.
Wages restrict childcare choices for low income parents
Low-income parents in the UK are largely restricted to state-run day nurseries due to cost, while wealthier families enjoy diverse childcare options. Research shows working-class families have minimal choice in childcare providers, often caught between work demands and mothering responsibilities.
All’s fair in love and HR
Workplace romances are inevitable when employees spend most of their waking hours together. Rather than banning office relationships, HR experts recommend clear guidelines to prevent conflicts of interest and maintain professional standards.
Dispute resolution: Finding the middle ground
Employment disputes cost companies millions annually, with over 132,000 cases reaching tribunal last year. The government is considering mediation and alternative dispute resolution methods as cost-effective solutions to replace the current formal three-step procedure, with evidence of success in the USA and New Zealand.
Corporate manslaughter: Transforming how businesses operate
The Corporate Manslaughter Act holds organizations directly responsible for deaths resulting from gross breaches of duty of care, significantly impacting how businesses manage employee business travel and safety. Companies must implement comprehensive travel policies that prioritize employee safety and security, not just expense management, or face unlimited fines and court-ordered remedial action.
TNA and evaluation: Spot the difference
Training Needs Analysis (TNA) and evaluation are interconnected processes that identify skill gaps and measure training impact. Both require clear links to organizational performance standards to ensure training delivers measurable business results, not just positive learner experiences.
HR tip: Alcohol on site
Companies can impose alcohol restrictions on-site provided rules are transparent and consistently applied. You may permit exceptions, such as director-hosted client entertainment, while banning general consumption if clearly communicated and senior staff comply with the policy.
Corporate Provision of on-site Massage Services!
Explore how to implement on-site massage services across UK offices. This guide covers employee access, business benefits, subsidy options, and practical advice from companies with experience offering workplace wellness programs.
Besotted workers ring up bills in quest for love
Employees conducting personal relationships on work communications cost businesses £10 billion annually, according to HR experts Croner. A survey of 1,198 British workers found 37% use office phones, emails, and social media for romantic contact, with men accounting for the majority of offenders. Without clear workplace boundaries, companies face significant losses in time and productivity.
