Knowledge management: ‘Times are a-changing’
The UK is moving rapidly towards a ‘knowledge economy’. As a result, the mantra ‘our people are our greatest asset’ can no longer be ignored and there’s now a real need for HR to have a voice at board level and instigate effective people management processes, says Scott McArthur. The relationship between organisations and consumers […]
Seven steps to better EAP management
Alan King proposes a series of steps organisations should take to help ensure that EAPs continue to meet the growing needs of companies and deliver maximum benefits, in terms of employee wellbeing and overall business goals and targets. Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) are widely accepted as an established and necessary element of organisations’ benefits packages, […]
A graceful exit scores points in the future
Almost half of workers end up working with an ex-colleague at a new job.A new survey by recruitment outfit Office Angels suggests that workers are ‘burning bridges’ by leaving on a bad note once they’ve resigned.One in three workers admits to walking out before completing their notice period with more than a quarter of employees […]
Saying ‘thanks’ can improve your bottom line
Paul Brown, incentives specialist at Maritz, explains how recognition plays an important part in retention and engagement levels. An independent workplace survey by Maritz has revealed that almost a third of UK workers say they are never thanked for their personal contribution at work; a significant 50 per cent increase from two years ago. At […]
HR tip: Affair at work
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: "One of our female accounts clerks is having an affair with a married colleague. They are often both absent from the section at the same time. We are not happy about this […]
A little thanks goes a long way
Almost a third of UK workers claim never to be thanked for their personal contribution at work, independent research commissioned by Maritz, a performance improvement company, has revealed.The survey, which marks National Thank You week (19 to 23 November), also found that not being appreciated was the reason that 28 per cent of job movers […]
Job cuts to blame for child benefit fiasco
The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), one of the UK’s largest trade unions, is blaming the loss of millions of child benefit records on the “enormous pressure” placed on HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), imposed by job cuts.It was revealed last night that the personal details of 25 million Britons, including names, addresses, birth […]
Bosses fail to maximise talent
Only one in two businesses have a talent management system in place, despite 80 per cent admitting recruiting the right staff is a problem.Research published by the Chartered Management Institute and Ashridge Business School claims to provide employers with a strategic framework for delivering talent management programmes. According to the study, 84 per cent want […]
Serial temps trapped by lack of training
Temps that take on a series of long-term assignments risk damaging their career prospects and exclusion from permanent employment.This is the warning of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) that reveals that just over half of agency workers (54 per cent) are in continuous posts for over six months, and more than a quarter (28.4 per […]
Half of HR have thrown the book at Facebook time-wasters
A new survey shows that 50 per cent of HR professionals have had to discipline staff for time wasting on social networking sites.Sixty-five per cent of UK companies now block access to sites including Facebook, MySpace and Bebo.Yet whilst many have blocked access to Web 2.0 technologies such as YouTube and Wikipedia, one in five […]
TUPE Outsourcing nightmares!
I would like to hear from anyone about the following challenges faced by organisations regarding TUPE:1. How many different sets of TUPE terms and conditions organisations have on average? We currently have about 5 different sets, but are sure there are considerably more in some organisations.2. How do different organisation track TUPE t&c’s and how […]
Marks & Spencer beats John Lewis on reputation
High-street retail giant Marks & Spencer has topped a poll for the company with the best reputation.The survey, conducted by YouGov on behalf of business lobby group the CBI, reveals the 10 companies UK consumers say have the best reputation. At the top of the list of unprompted replies is Marks & Spencer, which gained […]
Improve your selection process in seven easy steps
Bob Clifford explains how to evaluate, improve and value your selection process to ensure your decisions are accurate and objective. In a previous article, I discussed that it is only through conducting studies in individual organisations that the effectiveness of a particular selection system can be established. The benefits of conducting a straightforward evaluation […]
Time out: Using sabbaticals to boost business
There is always the risk that workers taking sabbaticals may not want to come back to the fold. But, as Louise Druce finds out, if firms learn how to use time out from the office to their advantage, it can boost employee productivity and reinvigorate the team staying put. We could all do with […]
Jobs to go: Tuesday lunchtime sparks jobseekers’ appetite
A record number of candidates are using the 1pm slot every Tuesday to upload their CVs and apply for jobs.According to Reed Employment, a recruitment outfit, 21 per cent of candidates on their database search for jobs at around 1pm every Monday with the same number returning the following day at the same time to […]
HR consultancies: The good, the bad and the plain ugly
Consultants can net anything from £250 a day to £100,000 for an entire project; Annie Hayes finds out how to sift the good from the bad. The marketAn endless cycle of downsizing, outsourcing and efficiency initiatives has catapulted the job of the consultant into constant demand. Put simply, the consultant’s job is to effect significant […]
Diary of a job hunt: The final chapter
Earlier this year, HR Zone member Sue Harrison resigned from her job and has been reporting her search for new employment back to us here at HR Zone. In this final instalment, she is pleased to report her search is over, yet she discovered along the way that there’s ‘nowt so queer as folk’. Welcome […]
Ask the expert: Constructive dismissal?
A home-based employee has now been asked by his employer to work from the office instead. However, the employee feels unable to do this. Esther Smith, partner at Thomas Eggar, and Martin Brewer, partner at Mills & Reeve, advise on whether the employee can bring a constructive dismissal claim. The question:A friend of mine was […]
World of learning winners celebrate in style
The BBC, Linklaters LLP, 7city Learning and BVS Training are among those celebrating their success at the World of Learning Awards.More than 400 guests attended the black-tie awards ceremony in Birmingham last week, hosted by comic Dominic Holland.Jim Reilly, project manager for the World of Learning Awards, said: “The World of Learning Awards are now […]
Benefits of £4.4 million for the ‘too fat to work’
Almost 2,000 people who are classed as ‘too fat to work’ have been paid a whopping £4.4 million in benefit.The shocking findings reported by The Times newspaper revealed that billions of pounds are being paid in benefits to people claiming to be unable to work because they suffer from illnesses that keep them away from […]