Jobless and claimant count tumbles to record low
The number of people claiming unemployment benefits in November has fallen to the lowest level since 1975, with the jobless count also in decline.According to UK labour market statistics for October and November, the number of claimants fell to 813,000 in November from 824,100 in October, beating this decade’s previous low of 819,000 set in […]
Flexible working key to improved health
Healthy lifestyles can be prompted by flexible working, new research has shown.Dr Joseph Grzywacz, of Wake Forest University School of Medicine, has commented that if workers perceive the flexible working initiative as real then they will be prompted into taking up a healthier lifestyle.“Although further research is needed, these results suggest that flexibility programmes, that […]
Retail giant chairman joins UK Commission for Employment and Skills
Charlie Mayfield, chairman of the John Lewis Partnership, has been appointed as one of 20 inaugural commissioners for the new UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES). The news is welcomed by the Sector Skills Council for Retail, Skillsmart Retail.Anne Seaman, chief operating officer for Skillsmart Retail, said: “We were delighted when Charlie Mayfield became […]
‘Smossiping’ puts smokers at heart of grapevine
‘Smossiping’, or smoking outside while having a gossip, is fast becoming the new method of relaying office news.For one in seven workers this is the latest way of finding out what’s going on. The survey of over 1,000 workers, by recruitment outfit Office Angels, reveals that 74 per cent of workers look forward to catching […]
Self-help books are for Christmas, not for life
Addiction to business self-help books is causing a shortage of leadership skills among UK managers, a training and recruitment expert has said.Millions of pounds are spent on management guides each year in the UK and, with more than 100,000 business management titles currently listed on Amazon, they are sure to be popular stocking fillers.Stephen Seymour, […]
The business case for talent management
Is it possible to calculate the benefits you are likely to achieve from automating your HR function and embracing new concepts such as talent management? Go back to the fundamental purpose of your HR strategy, and estimate the benefits in cash terms. It sounds simple, but the devil is in the detail, writes HR Zone […]
My boss is bad: Are you a victim?
Chetan Dhruve returns to his series on bad bosses, this time delving into the issue of ‘victim-hood’, pointing out that the ‘powerlessness’ of employees is not being given the legitimacy or seriousness it deserves. In a previous article, I commented on systems thinking and bad bosses, and why we shouldn’t blame individual bosses for bad […]
Ask the expert: Rest periods
An employee may be in breach of the working time regulations due to employment with a third party. Esther Smith, partner at Thomas Eggar, and Martin Brewer, partner at Mills & Reeve, advise on whether the primary employer is liable for not ensuring rest periods are observed. The question:An employee of ours has another job […]
Fears heighten over ‘work unready’ lone parents
Forcing lone parents into work could result in a surge of ‘work unready’ candidates.The 2007 welfare reform green paper recommends that from 2008, lone parents with a child under 12 years, who are not in paid work, should be required to actively seek employment if it can be demonstrated that they will be financially better […]
Employment law predictions 2008
Christina Morton and Deborah Hely, of Beachcroft LLP, discuss forthcoming legislation in 2008 and how this will impact employers. The number of legislative changes clearly in the pipeline for 2008 is relatively small, but the groundwork will also be laid next year for some important future developments. Here are some laws to look out for […]
Do you really want managers to develop their staff?
Management consultant John Pope considers how you can really encourage managers to develop their people, and offers a few practical ideas. It worked in the pastMany years ago, when international air travel was not as cheap as it is now, the Bank of London and South America, a subsidiary of Lloyds, used to recruit bankers […]
Careless workers put business data at risk
More than half of workers have lost a laptop, BlackBerry or USB stick in a pub, bar and restaurant, with the majority showing an alarming apathy towards the value of business data.This is according to a new survey by Databarracks, a secure online backup specialist. They found that whilst employees are dependent on business data, […]
Brand lures talent
Candidates are increasingly seeking out employers with a good reputation and brand.This is according to a new survey by jobs.ac.uk, which reveals that as many as 86 per cent of job hunters rate an employer’s brand as important when considering whether to apply for a job.Andrew Gordon, director of jobs.ac.uk, said: “There’s kudos associated with […]
Selective internet ban given thumbs up by workers
Bosses who provide a half-way house that allows workers restricted usage to the internet, social networking sites and email for personal use, are reaping the benefits.According to a new study by IT solutions and services provider Dimension Data, the boundary between professional and private internet usage is becoming increasingly blurred and businesses that opt for […]
Online recruitment index reveals active hiring
Hiring is active and happening online, according to the Monster Employment Index, which reveals significant increases in the arts, entertainment, sports and leisure sector opportunities.The index report is based on a review of millions of employer job opportunities from a range of corporate career sites and job boards across Europe and, according to the latest […]
Milton Keynes ranked top for employment growth
According to new research, Milton Keynes has seen the strongest rate of employment growth over the last 10 years.Milton Keynes ranked above Portsmouth, Brighton, Derby and Southampton in a study conducted by think tank Centre for Cities. However, the most improved towns and cities tended to be in the north of England. Dermot Finch, director […]
New Employment Bill welcomed by TUC and REC
The new Employment Bill published on 7 December 2007 implements tough new laws for rogue employers and repeals current statutory dispute resolution procedures.The bill aims to toughen penalties for rogue employers who pay under the minimum wage. It also seeks to strengthen the powers of the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate, which will be given more […]
HR officers earn double UK average
A new pay study reveals full-time, male personnel, training and industrial relations managers are taking home an average annual income of £62,461, which is just over double that of the UK average take-home wage of £29,999.By comparison, women doing the same job earned just £45,029 – a whopping percentage difference of 58 per cent – […]
Don’t expect too much from red tape-cutting bill, say SME experts
While the government may be trumpeting it as a solution to firms’ complaints about employment law red tape, the Employment Simplification Bill may not bring about the kind of changes that are hoped for, small business experts have warned.The Forum of Private Business (FPB) said the bill, published last week, should not be viewed as […]
Top apprentice boss search launched
The search is on for the nation’s top apprentice employers as the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) launches its fifth annual apprenticeship awards. Employers of all sizes and from all sectors of industry are being asked to enter the prestigious national awards. Speaking at the launch in London, skills minister David Lammy MP, said: “Apprenticeships […]