Lessons for L&D
L&D professionals must become more strategic and business-focused to gain respect from senior management, according to Hays’ head of leadership and development. By aligning with business objectives, demonstrating measurable value, and understanding organizational goals, L&D can prove its worth beyond training delivery.
Through the portal into interactive learning
Explore how digital tools are transforming modern training beyond traditional classrooms. From interactive wikis and blogs to virtual worlds and serious gaming simulations, trainers are leveraging innovative technologies like podcasts, video, and 3D animation to create more engaging learning experiences.
Workers shun home working
Employees are increasingly rejecting remote work opportunities due to concerns about missing promotions, limited social interaction, and workplace isolation. A new survey reveals employers also hesitate to offer home working, citing potential disruption to decision-making and work practices.
Sooner rather than later: Curing long-term absence
Long-term absence, typically defined as four weeks or more of continuous sickness, significantly impacts business operations and costs. While representing only a small portion of total absence, long-term cases involving stress and mental health conditions are difficult to manage and require early intervention, clear policies, and access to support services to facilitate employee return to work.
Talent management: Why are there still concerns?
Despite widespread talent management projects, companies still struggle with talent shortages because HR focuses too heavily on analysis while neglecting the critical development phase needed to cultivate identified talent effectively.
Protecting your employees’ data
Employers must protect employee personal data under the Data Protection Act to comply with legal obligations and prevent identity theft. Identity fraud costs the UK economy £1.7 billion annually, with nearly a quarter of employees distrusting their employers’ data security practices.
Court u-turn in harassment claim
The Court of Appeal has restricted harassment claims against employers under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, ruling that the law targets criminal conduct, not workplace disputes. The decision is expected to significantly reduce compensation claims in employment contexts.
Educate line managers to avoid employee lawsuits
Organizations can reduce employment tribunal claims by providing line managers with better training on employment law and workplace conduct. Poor manager decisions—such as inadequate documentation and discriminatory language—expose companies to costly lawsuits for unfair dismissal, discrimination, and wrongful dismissal.
Council staff to vent workplace complaints on hotline
Surrey County Council has launched an anonymous hotline for staff to report workplace issues including bullying, harassment, fraud, and criminal activity. The service, operated by trained handlers, allows employees to raise concerns confidentially without approaching their manager directly.
HR tip: Pre-employment medicals
Pre-employment medical examinations can expose employers to discrimination claims against disabled employees. To comply with employment law, clearly state the examination’s purpose is identifying accommodations needed, or conduct medicals only for roles with specific health requirements.
Teachers scoop fair-pay deal but unions still unhappy
Teachers receive a pay rise exceeding the public sector wage cap, with starting salaries set at £25,000 in inner London and £24,000 elsewhere. The three-year deal includes a 2.45 percent increase from September, but unions argue it falls short of inflation and amounts to a real pay cut.
Sports Council for Wales Steps up the Pace with HR Software Upgrade
The Sports Council for Wales has upgraded its HR software from Snowdrop to version 5.3, enabling staff to request leave and training online while reducing administrative tasks. The upgrade includes improved payroll integration and enhanced personnel records management across multiple modules.
‘Ain’t no satisfaction’ for public sector workers
Public sector workers in the UK report significantly lower job satisfaction and organizational pride compared to other sectors, with central and local government employees scoring 7-8 percent below the national average. Training and recognition are key areas where public sector organizations underperform, while retail workers express the highest satisfaction.
Change continues to be handled badly
Only 30% of organizations manage change effectively according to employees, with satisfaction declining since 2003. Staff trust change more when involved, yet fewer employees are given opportunities to contribute their views, damaging engagement levels.
Alarm bells for companies ‘unaware’ of Corporate Manslaughter Act
Thousands of British businesses face significant risk under the Corporate Manslaughter Act, which became law in April 2008. Organizations can face unlimited fines and court-ordered publicity for gross failures in health and safety management that cause death, yet many remain unaware of the legislation’s implications.
Gearing up for green fleets
Greening company fleets requires practical solutions beyond simply replacing vehicles with hybrids. Cars account for 11 percent of CO2 emissions, and while new car emissions have dropped 12 percent since 1997, reducing mileage and encouraging alternative transport methods offer cost-effective ways for companies to lower their environmental impact.
Meddling for success
While employers may want to improve workforce health, implementing major wellness initiatives in January is impractical and likely to fail. Experts suggest focusing on small, incremental changes one at a time, with monthly themes that keep messages fresh and maintain employee engagement throughout the year.
Is there a crisis in management today?
Many managers lack clear understanding of their role and receive inadequate training, leading to poor performance and staff dissatisfaction. Organizations often promote skilled employees into management without proper preparation, resulting in ineffective leadership and undervalued strategic responsibilities.
Quarter would slash pay to work at home
Nearly a quarter of employees would accept lower pay to work from home, according to research showing 83% consider remote work flexibility when choosing jobs. Only 14% of workers are actively encouraged to work from home, despite significant competitive and environmental benefits.
European court limits trade union rights to fight ‘social dumping’
The European Court of Justice has limited trade unions’ ability to use collective action against employers relocating to lower-wage EU member states, ruling that blockades and strikes restricting an employer’s right to move must be justified by serious threats to jobs and exhausted alternatives.
