Spotlight: Matthew Brearley, UK HR director, Vodafone
Annie Hayes speaks to Matthew Brearley, an HR director who never rests, is blessed with “good energy”, and has helped transform mobile telecoms firm Vodafone from a flagging business to a market leader. Vital stats: Company: Vodafone The aim: To be the world’s mobile communications leader. Number of staff: 10,500 Number of HR staff: 170 […]
I got the workplace ‘blues’
Although you may never have thought about applying different genres of music to workplace issues, in this article Peter Cook discusses how organisations can achieve motivation and productivity the ‘rock’n’roll’ way. ‘I was looking for a job, then I found one. Heaven knows I’m miserable now’. How often have you heard these words for real […]
Ask the expert: Employee theft
An employee, who has been working for her employer for 10 years, has been found to have been stealing money from the company. Esther Smith, partner at Thomas Eggar, and Martin Brewer, partner at Mills & Reeve, advise on the best way to handle this situation. The question:I have an employee who has worked for […]
Holiday pay: Contract versus working time directive
Barrister Charles Price outlines what the employer should pay now that minimum holiday entitlement has increased from 20 to 24 days a year. As from 1 October 2007, workers must have had their belief in a benevolent deity confirmed, as the government handed all workers a gift which previously only belonged to senior employees or […]
Work experience should be compulsory, say employers
The majority of employers (86 per cent) believe work experience should be compulsory for all school pupils before work is started.Most of those who responded to the survey – carried out by the organisers of The World of Learning exhibition and conference – also felt that the basic life skills of today’s school leavers, including […]
Temp workers set to secure full work rights
Britain is set to lose its fight against the implementation of a new directive that will afford temporary workers the same rights as those of permanent employees.A decision is to be made this Wednesday 5 December 2007 on whether the proposed Directive on Agency Workers should be implemented, giving temps in the UK the right […]
E-learning fails to grasp senior execs
Senior managers are turning their backs on online learning opportunities, according to a new study.Figures published by the Chartered Management Institute and Centre for Applied Human Resource Research, show that whilst internet access is readily available for 90 per cent of senior managers, 67 per cent spend 30 minutes or less using company intranets, the […]
‘Gut feel’ interviewing drives down business
A survey has claimed that 74 per cent of HR chiefs believe interviewing techniques are below standard.The problem is resulting in inadequate employee performance (35 per cent) that in turn affects the bottom line (24 per cent).Despite 70 per cent of HR managers taking at least 20 minutes to prepare for an interview, with a […]
Fresh calls for HR and the line to deepen relationship
Professional body the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) is calling on line managers to be recognised as strategic partners of HR.The report, Line managers in reward, learning and development authored by Sue Hutchinson, Bristol Business School and John Purcell, ACAS and Warwick University, claims that the role of line managers is becoming increasingly […]
Appraisals laughable as bosses dodge the truth
Almost a third of employees say appraisals are a waste of time, which is no surprise as nearly half don’t believe their boss is honest during the review.The research, conducted by YouGov on behalf of Investors in People, reveals that only 54 per cent of staff working in organisations with fewer than 250 staff has […]
Big guns fail to get in the festive spirit
Small businesses are putting large firms to shame with their festive spirit and seasonal generosity.According to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development’s (CIPD) Annual Reward Management survey 2008, 80 per cent of small businesses are likely to throw a Christmas party this year – a figure that compares to just half of companies employing […]
CIPD tells trainers to move away from traditional evaluation
Training professionals need to move away from traditional evaluation methods, such as return on investment and measuring the value learning and development contributes to strategic business objectives, according to a study from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).The report argues for a shift away from what it terms trainer-centred and return on investment […]
The perks of the UK’s top employers
For many employers, getting onto The Times’ list of the top 100 companies to work for is very important. Companies take pride in winning awards for HR, with some taking the list as a competition in its own right. There are a number of different variables that will contribute to a company getting listed on […]
Talent Management: It’s all about lifestyle employment choice
Gareth Chick, director at business consultancy Spring Partnerships, has devised a new approach to talent management called ‘Lifestyle Choice Employment’. He believes it is time for a big change, so that the focus is on the employees themselves. Talent management means different things to different companies. In the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development’s ‘Learning and […]
The concise way to structure your CV
Having a good CV is the first step in any job search, and having one that’s short, concise, and well structured is an easy way to impress prospective employers. Read this article to get advice on how to structure your CV and what to include. Bear in mind that it’s in order, so each section […]
Job cuts spell gloom in the City
The doom and gloom that is coming out of the crisis in the American housing market is going to reach further than a credit crunch. In the city, companies are set to shed some 6,500 jobs in 2008 as they look to cut costs. Because of the scarcity of cheap credit, it’s going to be […]
Interview tips
So you’ve handed over your CV and covering letter and received the phone call requesting you to attend an interview – good work, but the most important stage is still to come. For most people interviews can be a nerve racking experience. Firstly, you’ve normally got to explain your career ambitions and ‘why you want […]
CV dos and don’ts
A CV is a marketing brochure – for you! However, it’s not as if you have to be a hotshot at marketing or advertising to make a good one. Far from it, it’s really very easy to make an eye catching one, but people can make a catalogue of errors. One vital thing to remember […]
Implementing a cost-effective talent management solution
Grant Crow, managing director at Stepstone Solutions UK, discusses how companies can invest in talent management strategies and solutions to develop and retain high-potential employees. The term ‘talent management’ was first coined as a “critical driver of corporate performance” in 1997 by two consultants from Mckinsey, in the report The War for Talent. Since then, […]
The flex capacitor: Back to the future of benefits
Flexible benefits can be a great recruitment and retention perk as part of a total rewards package. But what exactly should you be offering staff – if anything at all – and what’s the incentive for take up? Louise Druce investigates. Flexible benefits have been around for years but they are finally being more recognised […]
