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 […]
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 […]
