More progress needed to meet Britain’s skills needs, says TUC
Official statistics released by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) show an increase in the number of young people and adults in work based learning and further education. But according to the TUC general secretary Brendan Barber, even more needs to be done: “It is encouraging to see that the number of young people and […]
Best Christmas present is time off work
There’s little festive cheer for over a third of workers this Christmas that work through the holidays.Forty per cent of workers will be working for some or all of the holidays (25 December – 1 January). Shockingly most of those are simply trying to shake off growing workloads. According to the research released by Post […]
2008 set to be ‘rocky’, warns TUC
In his new year message to trade union members, general secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) Brendan Barber said businesses should brace themselves for a rocky ride in 2008.Speaking to members, Barber said that whilst the economic climate looked uncertain members should not talk themselves into thinking things were worse than they really are.“The […]
BAA workers vote to strike
Workers across BAA’s seven UK airports have voted to strike in the new year. The dispute has come about because of the closure of the final salary pension scheme for new employees. BAA operates Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Southampton, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen airports.Trade union Unite represents various airport workers, including firefighters, security, maintenance, administrative and […]
Website launched to help HR support dyslexic employees
A website has been launched which aims to arm HR professionals with relevant information to help the 3 million dyslexic people in the UK workforce.The website, www.re-adjust.co.uk, by software providers iansyst Ltd, will provide users with advice on conforming to the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), and will include practical steps to help dyslexic employees, as […]
2007 Christmas gadget countdown – the people’s choice
Every year in the run-up to Christmas, Nigel Harris, the executive peripherals editor of HR Zone’s sister site AccountingWEB, chooses the 12 objects that most deeply stimulate his electronic devices. This year, we asked you to nominate your favourites. The Nintendo Wii games console (pictured above, right) has been crowned “Gadget of the Year” in […]
UK employers losing billions due to workers’ mental health
Businesses across Britain are losing £1,000 a year for every person they employ because of mental ill health issues among their staff, according to a report published by the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health.The report, ‘Mental Health at Work’, estimates the total cost to UK employers from mental ill health issues at over £25 billion. […]
Here’s to your good health – and safety
Festive joy is melting away faster than a British white Christmas thanks to unsubstantiated claims around the do’s and don’ts of health and safety in the office. Louise Druce asks if we should say bah humbug to the celebrations. Christmas used to be about festive celebrations and goodwill to all men (and women) but it […]
Employer-induced sickness: Is dismissal still fair?
Can it ever be fair to dismiss an employee for sickness incapacity when the employer has caused, or at least contributed to, that ill health? The Court of Appeal says 'yes', as employers everywhere breathe a sigh of relief. Junaid Haroon explains. The case This is a rather sad case. Suzanne McAdie had worked […]
Can your company cope in a crisis?
We all deal with the unexpected at some point in our working lives, yet when faced with a crisis are you prepared for every eventuality? Kate Nowlan, Rupert Reid and Chris Larkin from CiC, discuss how to plan an effective business continuity policy. When faced with a crisis, whatever the degree of severity, the reaction […]
HR tip: Interviewing skills
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: "I have got to carry out some interviews soon but have no experience. What are the main rules?" HR Tip:Really the best thing to do is enrol on an interviewing skills […]
Scrooge scoops worst boss gong
Dickens’ Ebenezer Scrooge, who was known for his meanness, has been voted the world’s worst fictional boss in a recent survey of office workers.Meryl Streep’s portrayal of the chilling New York fashion editor Miranda Priestly, in The Devil Wears Prada, came a close second, with 22 per cent voting her the nastiest fictional boss. Scrooge […]
Parents choose work over a family Christmas
One in 10 business men and women will be working, rather than celebrating with the family, on Christmas day.When asked what important family events had been affected due to work commitments, 11 per cent of respondents in a survey by YouGov, on behalf of Clydesdale Bank, admitted to having actually missed Christmas Day and New […]
Plans to compensate pension victims given cautious welcome
An estimated 140,000 victims of failed pension schemes are to be compensated; the announcement has been given a cautious welcome.Work and Pensions Secretary Peter Hain made the announcement this week. The Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) was designed to offer a safety net to people whose pension schemes collapsed between January 1997 and April 2005. The […]
Government consultation begins on qualifications
Ed Balls and John Denham have published a consultation document setting out detailed proposals for the regulation and development of qualifications and assessment in England. Denham, the secretary of state for innovation, universities and skills, said: “Today’s announcement is a major step forward in securing the right approach to the regulation of qualifications. I am […]
‘Slow down’ is PAs Christmas wish to bosses
PAs wish their bosses would apply the brakes to their hectic schedules in the new year.Recruitment outfit Crone Corkill recently asked PAs what they’d most like to change about their bosses in 2008. For 19 per cent, the resounding response was they should not work so hard. Further responses included ‘go fishing more’, ‘stop working […]
Practical jokers create office havoc at Christmas
Three out of four workers play practical jokes in the office over the Christmas period; a trend that is angering bosses.According to a new survey by fish4jobs, a recruitment website, as Christmas looms, 46 per cent of office workers will be upping the ante on the number of jokes played.Surprisingly, 16 per cent of the […]
Salary Sacrifice for Stock
Hi,We are looking to implement a salary sacrifice scheme that would see staff giving up pay in exchange for shares at an internal rate agreed within the company. I would be keen to hear from others who may have set up such a scheme. In particular the tax implications and legal conditions that we should […]
HR in 2008: Predictions, forecasts and crystal ball gazing
Hindsight no longer has to be a wonderful thing – not with HR Zone’s round-up of predictions and forecasts from some top HR directors and commentators on what to look out for in the year ahead. By Annie Hayes. * Go full throttle with EAPsLiz Booth, HR director, NSPCC: 2008 holds the promise of better […]
Top HR Zone stories in 2007
It has been quite a year for us here on HR Zone. From employee references to implementing the smoking ban; from change management to talent management, it’s all been written about – and commented on – here. So, as 2007 comes to an end, Lucie Benson looks back at the 10 most popular articles featured […]