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 […]
Organisational development in 2008
Consultant Mike Morrison looks ahead to how organisational development will be perceived in the coming year, and asks whether it will lay the groundwork for a true path towards strategic development? In the past, organisational development (OD) was mainly concerned with the three S’s of an organisation – structures, staff and skills. Specialists and consultants […]
The impact of HRM on Company Performance
Dear All,I am studying a Masters in Organisational Behaviour and have chosen to study the impact of HRM on company performance and competitive advantage as my dissertation topic.I would be really interested to canvass opinions and perceptions specifically from within the HR field. My own experiences have been from running my own recruitment business.My research […]
Christmas cheer
Paul Avis takes a seasonal meander around the festive period by looking at alcohol consumption, and questions whether it’s a good time of year for employee health management, morale and motivation. I do like a beer. Well, a few actually. Sometimes more. Although, increasingly, it’s wine these days. Should I be admitting this to HR […]
‘Negative’ management styles most common in UK organisations
The ‘command and control’ approach to work is hindering UK productivity, according to research. Performance levels in workplaces are suffering as overbearing and dogmatic management practices top the list of management styles. The report into the quality of working life, which questioned 1,511 managers, also found a high rate of sickness and absence levels in […]
Ask the expert: Notification of fixed-term contracts
Esther Smith, partner at Thomas Eggar, and Martin Brewer, partner at Mills & Reeve, advise on how to correctly handle the issuing and termination of a fixed-term contract. The question:I would be grateful if someone could advise me how we should be handling fixed-term contract end dates, in terms of giving notice / sending written […]
TUC takes public sector pay campaign to Westminster
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) and its member unions representing public sector workers are calling on the government to bring public sector pay above inflation.The campaign, Speak Up for Public Services dubbed as ‘major’, is being launched today at Westminster. According to the union body, the Government’s target of 2 per cent pay rises across […]
