Christmas cheer
Christmas drinking culture raises employee health concerns. While festive celebrations are common, excessive alcohol consumption can impact workplace morale and productivity. Employers can implement clear policies on acceptable drinking occasions to support employee wellness during the holiday season.
‘Negative’ management styles most common in UK organisations
UK organisations predominantly use “command and control” management styles that harm productivity and increase sickness absence. Research shows bureaucratic, reactive, and authoritarian approaches are most common, while empowering management styles correlate with better business performance and employee wellbeing.
Ask the expert: Notification of fixed-term contracts
Legal experts clarify how to properly handle fixed-term contract endings, including whether written notice is required, if dismissal procedures apply, and what factors determine fair termination based on employee service length.
TUC takes public sector pay campaign to Westminster
The TUC launches a major campaign at Westminster demanding public sector pay rises above inflation, arguing the government’s 2 percent target falls short of the 4 percent cost of living increase and threatens recruitment, retention, and staff morale.
CBI makes employment prediction u-turn
The CBI has reversed its employment forecast, now predicting unemployment will rise to 1.70 million in 2009 rather than fall as previously expected. The downgrade reflects slower economic growth due to the credit crunch and high oil prices.
Fifth of workers ‘moonlight’ to plug earnings hole
One in five British workers earn extra money from hobbies or side interests, generating an average of £3,511 annually after tax, according to a National Savings and Investments survey. Most use the additional income to build financial security, pay bills, or save for emergencies.
Dyson lands top HR job at Bank of London
Beverley Dyson has been appointed head of HR at BLME, a Sharia’a compliant wholesale bank based in London. She brings over 15 years of banking experience from senior HR roles at BNP Paribas-affiliated banks and other international financial institutions.
City bonus bonanza shamed by charity
City bankers awarded record multi-million pound bonuses face criticism from anti-poverty charity War on Want, which says corporate tax dodging costs developing countries an estimated £250 billion annually—money that could address global poverty goals.
Alcohol ban solves office party worry
Many UK businesses are replacing alcohol at office parties with non-alcoholic alternatives like team-building events and theatre trips to prevent harassment complaints and workplace misconduct. Nearly 90 percent of employers have received harassment complaints following office parties, prompting stricter policies around alcohol and behavior.
‘Virtual’ training in Second Life
UK law firm Simpson Millar has launched a virtual office in Second Life to provide interactive online training for employees across seven offices. The 3D virtual environment allows staff to attend seminars and training sessions remotely, reducing travel costs and environmental impact while maintaining engagement through interactive features like live Q&A.
IT skills not valued by business leaders
A Microsoft survey found that UK business leaders rate soft skills like teamwork higher than IT skills, though younger decision makers and those planning for the future recognize ICT’s growing importance for workplace success.
Staff Handbook / Induction Pack
Chloe is seeking a template for a staff handbook and induction pack to use for her organization. If you have a template available, she’d appreciate the resource.
Is your net rep on form?
Recruiters increasingly search social media to vet job candidates, with 59% of surveyed managers finding information that influenced their hiring decisions. Protect your online reputation by controlling privacy settings, avoiding compromising content, and maintaining separate passwords and email accounts for social networking.
HR consultancy offers human capital value calculator
PEO People, a London-based HR consultancy, has launched Catalyst, software designed to measure a company’s human capital value by linking financial data to workforce productivity. The tool helps senior executives evaluate people costs and return on investment, transforming subjective HR metrics into quantifiable business insights.
What’s in a name?
The HR profession struggles with an ongoing identity crisis, cycling through names like personnel, HR, human capital management, and strategic business partner. However, renaming the function without actually changing its role and responsibilities breeds cynicism and damages credibility. True professional evolution requires functional transformation, not just new titles.
Why choose on-demand HR solutions?
On-demand HR solutions offer low initial costs, rapid implementation, and subscription-based pricing models that eliminate expensive software upgrades. Web-based SaaS platforms provide reliable, secure 24/7 access to employee data and processes, making them increasingly popular for modern businesses.
HR tip: Flexible working requests
Employees with statutory rights can request flexible working arrangements, which employers must seriously consider. Refusing requires documented business reasons and notification of appeal rights. Even without legal obligation, considering such requests improves employee relations and retention.
On the couch: Counselling at work
Counselling services at work can reduce stress-related absence, boost productivity, and lower litigation costs. HR professionals can choose between internal services or external providers like employee assistance programmes, with guidelines available to support implementation decisions.
Jobless and claimant count tumbles to record low
UK unemployment has hit a record low, with jobless claimants falling to 813,000 in November—the lowest level since 1975. The unemployment rate stands at 5.4 percent, while wage growth moderates to 4.0 percent.
Flexible working key to improved health
Research shows flexible working arrangements can encourage healthier lifestyles among employees. A study examining sleep patterns, physical activity, and stress management found that workers who perceive flexibility initiatives as genuine are more likely to adopt positive health habits.
