Retail giant chairman joins UK Commission for Employment and Skills
Charlie Mayfield, chairman of the John Lewis Partnership, has been appointed as a commissioner for the new UK Commission for Employment and Skills. The role will help highlight the importance of retail skills in building a competitive UK workforce.
‘Smossiping’ puts smokers at heart of grapevine
“Smossiping”—gossiping while smoking outside—is becoming a popular way for office workers to share news, with one in seven employees learning workplace information this way. A survey of over 1,000 workers reveals that while 74 percent enjoy catching up with colleagues, office gossip can turn destructive, with 26 percent reporting damaged working relationships and 7 percent facing reprimands.
Self-help books are for Christmas, not for life
Self-help business books are popular Christmas gifts in the UK, but a training expert argues they don’t provide practical management skills. Instead of relying on bestsellers, professionals should invest in staff training, coaching, and mentoring to develop workplace leadership.
The business case for talent management
Talent management systems can deliver significant ROI through reduced HR administration costs, improved employee performance, and lower recruitment and training expenses. Toyota’s example demonstrates a 200 percent return on investment through HR automation and self-service tools.
My boss is bad: Are you a victim?
Employees with bad bosses face a real power imbalance that organizations rarely acknowledge or address through policies. While complaining about a boss is often stigmatized, recognizing victimhood as legitimate is essential for employees to protect themselves and exercise whatever power they have.
Ask the expert: Rest periods
Under working time regulations, employers can face liability if they know an employee is breaching rest period requirements through additional employment elsewhere. Experts advise having a direct conversation with the employee about health and safety concerns while clarifying the employer’s legal obligation to ensure adequate rest periods are observed.
Fears heighten over ‘work unready’ lone parents
Concerns are growing that forcing lone parents into work could create a surge of unprepared candidates. A 2007 welfare reform proposal requiring unemployed lone parents with young children to seek employment faces criticism, as research shows many face significant barriers including lack of work experience, limited job availability in their areas, and personal challenges. The recruitment industry argues specialized support is needed to make these parents genuinely work-ready.
Employment law predictions 2008
Beachcroft LLP experts discuss key employment law changes expected in 2008, including the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act coming into force in April, major reforms to statutory dismissal and grievance procedures under the Employment Bill, and plans to extend flexible working rights to parents of older children.
Do you really want managers to develop their staff?
Managers play a key role in staff development, yet many underutilize this responsibility. This article explores practical strategies—from success-based post-mortems to peer-led clinics—that empower managers to develop their teams effectively without relying on cumbersome formal training systems.
Careless workers put business data at risk
Over half of workers have lost laptops or USB drives in public venues, yet many remain careless about protecting business data. A survey reveals 84 percent of employees cannot work without data access for more than half a day, but they frequently store personal files on work networks and delete important documents accidentally, creating significant security risks.
Brand lures talent
Eighty-six percent of job seekers rate employer brand as important when considering job applications, according to a jobs.ac.uk survey. Candidates increasingly research prospective employers and are willing to travel farther for career opportunities with reputable brands.
Selective internet ban given thumbs up by workers
A new study shows that businesses allowing employees selective personal internet access perform better than those imposing complete bans or unrestricted access. Workers commonly use office internet for online banking, social media, and messaging, and moderate policies that recognize this reality improve productivity and employee retention.
Online recruitment index reveals active hiring
The Monster Employment Index shows active online hiring in November, with the index reaching 169 points and rising 32 percent year-over-year. Arts, entertainment, and leisure sectors led growth, though banking and finance declined significantly.
Milton Keynes ranked top for employment growth
Milton Keynes has experienced the strongest employment growth over the past decade, outperforming Portsmouth, Brighton, Derby, and Southampton, according to research by think tank Centre for Cities. Northern towns like Warrington and Doncaster showed the most improvement, though they still lag behind established leaders like York and Milton Keynes.
New Employment Bill welcomed by TUC and REC
The Employment Bill published December 7, 2007 strengthens penalties for rogue employers, enhances enforcement powers, and simplifies workplace dispute resolution procedures. Both the TUC and REC welcomed the legislation for cracking down on law-breaking employers and agencies while reducing red tape in grievance procedures.
HR officers earn double UK average
HR managers in the UK earn an average of £62,461, more than double the UK average wage, according to a new pay study. However, a significant gender pay gap exists, with male HR managers earning 58% more than their female counterparts, highlighting institutional sex discrimination within the profession.
Don’t expect too much from red tape-cutting bill, say SME experts
Small business experts warn the Employment Simplification Bill won’t significantly reduce regulatory burden on firms, despite government claims. The bill addresses only dispute procedures and minimum wage enforcement, leaving out concerns about health and safety, parental leave, and sick pay highlighted in earlier reviews.
Top apprentice boss search launched
The Learning and Skills Council launches its fifth annual apprenticeship awards, seeking to recognize top employers investing in apprenticeships across all sectors and company sizes. The prestigious national competition celebrates businesses tackling skills shortages while providing opportunities for apprentices to advance their careers.
Prime minister outlines new era of rights and responsibilities
Prime Minister Gordon Brown outlined a new framework of rights and responsibilities to reform UK training and development, warning that demand for skilled workers will rise by 5 million over the next decade while unskilled jobs decline. Brown called for expanded apprenticeships, mandatory skills training for the unemployed, and a shift from welfare to education-focused support to prepare Britain’s workforce for global competition.
Sick of seasonal absence?
Christmas parties cost UK employers an estimated £790 million annually in lost productivity and hangovers, with 30% of workers calling in sick after celebrations. HR experts recommend offering flexibility—such as scheduling parties on weekends, providing duvet days, or allowing late starts—to reduce seasonal absenteeism while maintaining employee engagement.
