Business is an accident waiting to happen
Over half of UK workers don’t know where their first aid kit is located or who their workplace first aider is, according to British Red Cross research. The findings reveal significant gaps in workplace first aid preparedness, with most office workers lacking formal training despite 73% expressing interest in free courses.
Confidence in HR dips as specific expertise becomes scarce
CEOs globally struggle to find combined technical and business expertise, with only 43 percent confident HR can address talent competition challenges. A PricewaterhouseCoopers survey reveals confidence in HR’s capability dips to 34 percent in the UK, despite people management being a top priority.
Union busting spreads to UK
US-style union busting tactics are spreading to the UK, threatening worker rights. A new TUC report warns that anti-union consultants who’ve devastated American union membership are now targeting British workplaces, using intimidation and misinformation to discourage unionization.
Getting your just rewards? Investing in an individual solution
Personalized reward schemes tailored to individual employees are proving more effective than one-size-fits-all approaches. Companies using targeted incentives like vouchers, recognition awards, and experiential rewards report improved performance and employee engagement across diverse workforces.
My boss is bad: Organisations, CEOs, staff – they’re all victims
Poor leadership creates psychological fear that prevents employees from reporting errors, leading to worse outcomes for patients, organizations, and everyone involved. Research shows units with the best leaders reported more errors because staff felt safe admitting mistakes, while feared leaders saw underreporting that ultimately harmed patients and hospitals alike.
National Trust staff go green with extra day off
The National Trust has given all 54,000 staff an extra day off on 29 February to support environmental initiatives, encouraging them to improve their green footprint through activities like home insulation, bike repairs, and switching to renewable energy.
Alarms ring as gay Christian scoops £47k discrimination award
A gay man has won £47,000 in a discrimination claim after an employment tribunal ruled the Bishop of Hereford unlawfully blocked his appointment as a youth worker based on his sexual orientation. The case highlights ongoing tensions between religious organizations and equality laws protecting employees from discrimination.
Training scholarships up for grabs
Skillsmart Retail and Retail Trust are offering 10 training scholarships for UK retail managers to attend the Oxford Summer School in August, covering leadership, finance, and merchandising. Applications close April 25.
Succession planning: 10 steps to success
Succession planning must be an ongoing organizational priority that demonstrates career paths to attract and retain talent. Integrating succession planning into daily business operations and designating clear responsibility helps organizations compete in competitive labor markets.
Ask the expert: Rights of agency workers
Agency workers have some employment rights, but protections depend on tenure and the employer relationship. Most rights require one year of service, though discrimination claims are exceptions. While terminating a contract without proper procedure is poor practice, legal recourse may be limited unless discrimination occurred.
Romance at work on the rise as Valentine’s Day looms
A new survey reveals that half of UK workers have crushes on colleagues, with 38 percent having pursued office romances. Despite widespread acceptance among coworkers, most office relationships remain secret, and many companies lack formal policies to address workplace dating.
Appraisal failure costs over £2 billion
Poorly executed appraisals are costing the UK economy over £2 billion annually, with only 58% of the workforce receiving formal appraisals. Research shows that well-conducted appraisals with effective development planning increase productivity by 2.7% and service quality by 11%, yet many managers view the process as a chore rather than a performance management tool.
UK star of European coaching survey
A European-wide coaching survey reveals the UK and Germany lead the market, together hosting over 70% of all EU coaches. The 2007/2008 survey examined coaching practices across 35 European countries and found significant regional disparities, with coaching most established in Western and Northern Europe.
Monday blues cured
A new survey reveals that 28 percent of workers actually look forward to Monday, while only 13 percent actively hate it. However, those who dread the week ahead blame their jobs, bosses, or unemployment, with many seeking solutions like a new position or higher pay.
Employees not engaged with HR
Half of UK office workers believe HR teams make no difference to their jobs, with 22% saying HR actually reduces their job satisfaction. The survey reveals employees rate HR as far less important than their direct managers.
Is a McDegree next on the menu?
A new consultancy called HE@Work will help employers develop accredited higher-education qualifications for their staff, awarding recognized degree-level credentials rather than company-specific training. Research shows 85% of employees at large organizations want access to employer-specific accredited degree and postgraduate qualifications.
Virtual meetings: A way of life?
Virtual meetings offer clear cost and time savings for businesses, while reducing unnecessary travel. Research shows UK workers attend many unproductive face-to-face meetings; switching to web conferencing could boost productivity and employee wellbeing.
Illegal working and unfair dismissal
Employers face legal risks when dismissing overseas workers with expired permits. Recent UK cases show dismissals can be unfair if employees are actively renewing their work authorization, even though employing someone without valid permits also violates immigration law.
Colborn’s Corner: Jobs for the boys?
An MP’s employment of his sons sparked controversy, raising questions about nepotism in hiring. This article examines whether favoritism in recruitment decisions is widespread across organizations and how to manage referral schemes and family employment ethically.
International executive coaching: Trends for 2008 and beyond
Leading international executive coaches discuss six key trends shaping the profession in 2008 and beyond, including the push for professional standards, growing corporate coaching cultures, and the development of differentiated methodologies to address industry challenges and confusion.
