Access still denied to disabled workers
Disability campaigners say their cause is being drowned out by a cacophony of more popular diversity issues like race and gender. Matt Henkes investigates whether this is the case and how they can make themselves heard within organisations. Diversity is in danger of becoming such an ominous and unwieldy term that some facets may be […]
£15 million windfall for staff at mobile phone giant
Eligible employees at O2 are set to receive a cash reward of up to £1,000 each, as part of its second annual Thanks a Million reward scheme.The mobile provider is rewarding its staff with the cash bonanza as a thank you for being ranked number one for customer satisfaction, in O2’s quarterly customer satisfaction surveys.Loyalty […]
Boss in the dock after shaming pregnant executive
A senior sales executive, who was told by her employer that she would be ‘useless’ after she became pregnant, is set to scoop up to £200,000 for sex discrimination.Reported by The Times newspaper, Louise Manning, who earned £55,000 a year, claimed Nick Medlam, managing director of Kent-based Safetell, a supplier of security systems, sent her […]
The long and winding road: Reducing commuting
The number of commuters spending an hour or more travelling to work has increased dramatically over the last decade, fuelling new demands for flexible working. Sandra Beale looks into the role HR has to play. Commuting times in the UK over the last 10 years have risen dramatically. It has now become part of the […]
Using technology to resolve disputes
HR Zone member Keith Davis explains why you may want to think about online dispute resolution the next time you need to use mediation to resolve a workplace dispute. Maybe you like the thrill of the grievance process, or treading the long thin line that has a picture of endless sick-notes on one side and […]
Small fry net skills boost
Small business managers are being urged not to cut corners in an initiative designed to raise their skills base to the tune of £30 million.John Denham, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills said that small business managers should resolve to make 2008 a year to improve their leadership skills and boost their competitiveness.Funding […]
It’s all about the culture
Management consultant John Pope explains how best to develop an effective company culture to ensure business success and a motivated, loyal workforce. I once knew of two manufacturing companies located within half a mile of each-other. They recruited from the same two housing estates at either end of a long hill. They were both profitable, […]
Ask the expert: Drug testing
Esther Smith, partner at Thomas Eggar, and Martin Brewer, partner at Mills & Reeve, advise on implementing an alcohol and drugs policy and how to carry out random drug testing. The question:I am currently pulling together an alcohol and drugs policy, and one area is looking at drug testing. I would like to put in […]
E-speed drives buoyant jobs market
Results from the Monster Employment Index indicate an active online recruitment market continuing an upward growth trend.The monthly analysis of millions of online jobs shows an increase of five points from the November figure to a level of 174 points in December. Monster puts the continuing growth partly down to a greater online job availability […]
Government slammed for £3m staff and communication bill
Ministers have spent £3m on administration involved with simplifying the government’s much criticised business support system, official figures have revealed.In its formal response to consultation on improving the support regime, the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (DBERR) said “staff and communication costs” reached £3m in 2007 with another £1m due to be spent […]
Job seekers battle it out on 7 January
Job seekers should be prepared to beat off the competition today as researchers reveal Monday 7 January is the busiest day in the year to search for a new job.This is according to a survey by www.jobsite.co.uk, which reveals that a staggering 42 per cent of people are planning to hunt for work this month […]
Benefits job spree – take what’s on offer, urges government
The government is urging new year job seekers to make sure they are getting all the job benefits they’re entitled to.Employment relations minister Pat McFadden said: “We want to make sure that workers know what rights they have when applying for a new job, or so they can check their existing conditions are up to […]
TUC backs asylum seekers plea to work
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) is urging the government to change the law so asylum seekers can work and lift themselves out of poverty.The campaign comes on the back of a new report, Like any other child?, published today from children’s charity Barnardo’s.Commenting, TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: “Banning asylum seekers from working condemns […]
LogicaCMG scoops €40 million HR outsourcing deal
KPN, a leading provider of telecommunications services in the Netherlands, has signed a contract for the outsourcing of its HR Shared Service Centre (SSC) to LogicaCMG.KPN has centralised all personnel administration in its HR SSC in The Hague. LogicaCMG will take over the responsibility for the HR call centre and the supporting HR information systems, […]
Manslaughter rules ‘to cost firms £21m’
The UK’s new corporate manslaughter law could cost businesses more than £21m in legal bills, an insurer has claimed. Tips to prepare your business Review existing health and safety policies to ensure they are up to date and robust. The Health and Safety Executive can help. Be aware of the finer details of the Corporate […]
New year calls made for minimum wage hike
The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) is calling for a hike in the minimum wage after its research revealed more than a million children in Britain are living in poverty.Head of social policy at IPPR Kate Stanley admitted that work had already been done to help poor families, but more focus is needed; and […]
Five million work £5k for free in unpaid overtime
Nearly 5 million employees are missing out on £4,955 a year in unpaid overtime, according to the Trades Union Congress (TUC).TUC research has found that the average amount of unpaid overtime is seven hours and six minutes a week. About one in five of the working population work unpaid overtime, it claims.The TUC has calculated […]
Airport strikes cancelled
The series of strikes threatening BAA’s seven UK airports this month have been called off.BAA has now withdrawn its decision to close its final salary pension scheme to new employees, following talks with unions Unite and PCS.A strike due for next Monday 7 January had already been called off, after talks were held earlier this […]
Stop gap: Interim managers – an expensive waste of time?
Interim managers have never had it so good; with demand soaring, record earnings are being achieved. Annie Hayes finds out whether interims are worth the expense and effort. Head renting or executive leasing – better known as interim management – is big business. According to professional body the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), […]
When is a difference in pay classed as sex discrimination?
Looking at a recent case involving British Airways, Joy Drummond discusses whether or not a difference in pay between men and women involves sex discrimination under the Equal Pay Act 1970. Employers need to ensure that they do not discriminate against their employees on grounds of gender when they make decisions about recruitment, training and […]
