Legislation update: Dismissal for one-off offence of smoking upheld
Richard White, specialist employment solicitor at Withy King, considers a recent case in which a Scottish employment tribunal ruled that it was fair to summarily dismiss an employee for one instance of smoking despite 12 years’ service. Many employers have long-standing smoking policies. The smoking ban came into force in England on 1 July 2007, […]
Bad hires result in lost productivity
Employers are routinely making bad decisions when hiring staff, which is severely damaging productivity, new research has revealed.A survey by people assessment company Talent Q has found that poor recruitment practice has led to a fall in productivity equivalent to £2,400 a year for every worker placed in a role without being properly assessed.Results showed […]
Colborn’s Corner: Happy Christmas
It was John Lennon who sang, “So this is Christmas, and what have we done? Another year older, a new one just begun”. But where are we as HR professionals this Christmas? What type of festive challenges do we face? Quentin Colborn looks at what Christmas means within HR. As I talk to various organisations […]
HR tip: Changing terms and conditions of employment
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: "If I change someone's terms and conditions of employment, do I have to issue a new contract?" HR Tip:There is no need to do this, though you must confirm the change in […]
Human asset management: 12 tips for getting it right
Alyson Pellowe, from People Vision, offers 12 simple tips for making the most of your employees’ energy, skills and creativity. Many senior mangers claim that their company’s power comes from its people. But how many of those managers implement the HR frameworks and talent management strategies that maximise that power? Certainly less than make the […]
Soaring working hours is “disturbing”
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) general secretary Brendan Barber has dubbed an increase in working hours as “disturbing”.According to the TUC, more than one in eight work more than 48 hours each week, with as many as one in six Londoners putting in 48 hours plus.The TUC says the findings point to a lack of […]
Christmas Eve holiday bonus for workers
Millions of bosses are expected to award their workers with an additional holiday on Monday 24 December 2007.Employers are not obliged to give Christmas Eve as a holiday – it falls on a working day and is not a bank holiday, yet predictors are expecting offices and workplaces to close in a sign of goodwill.Peter […]
Sex taunts claimant scoops £100,000 discrimination award
A female officer is set to win £100,000 in compensation after an employment tribunal upheld her complaint of sex discrimination against Sussex Police.Reported by The Daily Telegraph, Pc Barbara Lynford, serving as the only woman in a team of 19 at Gatwick airport, told the tribunal that she repeatedly suffered taunts by her male colleagues […]
Corporate manslaughter: Still against the law
The Corporate Manslaughter Act will come into force in April next year, making it easier to prosecute larger firms that neglect their workers’ safety. For the law abiding majority, the change will be of little significance, but Matt Henkes asks if the new law goes far enough to force those in power to account for […]
Payroll systems strive towards global breakthrough
The practical advantages of taking a global approach to payroll are clear, but only a few organisations are able to do it. Technology editor John Stokdyk investigates the progress that has been made towards this goal over the past year. Globalisation is a reality for many manufacturing and service organisations, but so far payroll systems […]
Voice from the workplace: Self-directed teams
We continue with our series looking at problems experienced by an employee working for a government organisation and how HR can help to put it right. In this instalment, John Pope advises on how to implement and maintain a successful self-directed team. The employee’s perspective: Self-directed teams – who is in charge?A reorganisation recently turned […]
Learning is key in fight against racism
The Trades Union Congress is launching a learning campaign designed to stamp out racism.An anti-racism booklet, aimed at trade union reps and activists, is at the heart of the campaign.The booklet includes information outlining the business case for equality and diversity, and a checklist for reps fighting racism in the workplace. Brendan Barber, TUC general […]
Book review: The Answers by Lucy Kellaway
Lucie Benson reviews a new book by Financial Times columnist Lucy Kellaway, called The Answers, which aims to provide practical advice to all those workplace dilemmas experienced by office workers everywhere. If you are stuck for Christmas stocking fillers this year, then look no further. Perfect for anyone who has ever worked in an […]
DWP appoints new HR chief as department faces strike action
Chris Last has been appointed director general of HR at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP); the news comes on the back of a threat of industrial action.Last replaces Kevin White who moves to director general of HR at the Home Office. Currently the director of HR for Ford of Europe and the Premier […]
Ask the expert: Information withheld on application
A new employee withheld information on their application form concerning a resignation from their previous job for allegedly 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 a potential dismissal. The question:We have a member of staff who […]
End of year party is a chore
Christmas party celebrations are on the wane as more bosses opt out of holding the annual bash and, according to latest findings, employees don’t actually care.The Chartered Management Institute’s annual Christmas Outlook survey reveals a decline in the number of organisations holding the traditional office Christmas party. Although 66 per cent still plan to host […]
Canny candidates tailor digital footprint
Job seekers can stage-manage a next career move by grooming their social networking profiles.An online recruiting outfit has bucked a growing trend that claims e-networking is social suicide. ClickAJob says that a well-kept online profile can even help candidates secure their next position.ClickAJob’s chief executive Yngve Traberg said: “With care and attention, a good online […]
Funding boost for Train to Gain
The government is doubling its funding for Train to Gain in a bid to boost skills in line with the recommendations of the Leitch report.The extra money will mean part-funding for those doing a second full level 2 qualification, while funds for level 3 are to be increased nationally. There will also be a huge […]
New Year salaries set to rocket by 6 per cent
Global salaries are expected to rise by an average of 6 per cent in 2008.This is according to the 2008 Global Compensation Planning Report study by consultancy Mercer.Highest pay increases are expected in India at 14 per cent, almost 10 per cent above local inflation, with the lowest pay increases in North America and Western […]
Business travellers struggle abroad
Frequent business travelling is doing little to break down language and cultural barriers.A new survey has found that 88 per cent of respondents believe that executives are making more foreign business trips than ever before, and 97 per cent of those say that more effort should be made to learn about business etiquette in other […]
