Saying ‘thanks’ can improve your bottom line
Recognizing employee contributions significantly boosts retention and productivity. A workplace survey reveals 90% of workers report improved morale when thanked, with two in five showing increased productivity and greater loyalty to their employer.
HR tip: Affair at work
Employers cannot act on personal moral judgments about workplace affairs. Action is only justified if the behavior affects work performance—such as excessive absences or inappropriate conduct during work hours. Employers should address the workplace conduct issue directly with both employees while remaining impartial.
A little thanks goes a long way
Nearly a third of UK workers report never being thanked for their work, and lack of appreciation drives 28% of employees to quit their jobs. Research shows that recognition significantly boosts morale and productivity, making workplace gratitude essential for staff retention and performance.
Job cuts to blame for child benefit fiasco
Personal details of 25 million UK child benefit claimants went missing after HMRC lost unencrypted CDs in the post. The PCS union blames the loss on job cuts and pressure within the department, while HMRC’s chairman has resigned taking responsibility for the security breach.
Bosses fail to maximise talent
Most UK businesses lack formal talent management systems despite recognizing recruitment challenges. Research from the Chartered Management Institute reveals only 50% of employers have talent management programs in place, with many failing to identify high-potential employees or align systems with business strategy.
Serial temps trapped by lack of training
Serial temporary workers face career damage due to lack of employer training, warns the Trades Union Congress. Over half of agency workers remain in continuous posts for six months or longer, yet employers often deny responsibility for developing their skills, disadvantaging temps seeking permanent roles.
Half of HR have thrown the book at Facebook time-wasters
Half of UK HR professionals have disciplined employees for social media time-wasting, with 65 percent of companies blocking Facebook and similar sites. However, many HR departments lack familiarity with Web 2.0 technologies and show limited involvement in developing internet usage policies.
TUPE Outsourcing nightmares!
Organizations managing outsourced services often struggle with TUPE compliance, including managing multiple sets of terms and conditions, tracking which terms apply to different employees, and ensuring payroll and management teams are informed. This article explores common TUPE outsourcing challenges and solutions organizations use.
Marks & Spencer beats John Lewis on reputation
Marks & Spencer tops a YouGov survey as the UK’s most reputable company, gaining nearly twice as many mentions as runner-up John Lewis. The poll reveals that excellent customer service and product quality are the primary factors driving company reputation among British consumers.
Improve your selection process in seven easy steps
Learn how to evaluate and improve your selection process through seven practical steps that pinpoint which assessment methods best predict job performance. By analyzing selection data against performance outcomes, you can measure your return on selection investment and make more accurate, objective hiring decisions.
Time out: Using sabbaticals to boost business
Sabbaticals can boost employee retention and productivity when managed effectively. Workers who take extended breaks return with fresh perspectives, renewed energy, and innovative ideas, while employers benefit from improved work-life balance perception and reduced burnout risk.
Jobs to go: Tuesday lunchtime sparks jobseekers’ appetite
Job seekers peak at Tuesday lunchtime when uploading CVs, contradicting the common belief that most job hunting happens on weekends. According to recruitment data, 21 percent of candidates search for jobs at 1pm on Tuesdays, while November remains the busiest month for permanent placements year after year.
HR consultancies: The good, the bad and the plain ugly
HR consultants charge between £250 per day and £100,000 for projects, with the market valued at £358 million. Organizations hire consultants for specialized expertise, faster results, and impartial perspectives on HR issues like restructuring and dispute resolution.
Diary of a job hunt: The final chapter
After a successful job search, HR Zone member Sue Harrison discovered surprising employer attitudes toward candidates between jobs. She shares insights into hiring paradoxes and shares a cautionary tale about HR dysfunction in organizations lacking proper investment and leadership.
Ask the expert: Constructive dismissal?
An employee required to relocate from home-based work in the Midlands to an office role in London may have grounds for unfair dismissal if dismissed without proper consultation, though a constructive dismissal claim would be more difficult to prove. Legal experts recommend documenting non-compliance rather than resigning to strengthen the case.
World of learning winners celebrate in style
The BBC, Linklaters LLP, 7city Learning and BVS Training are among the major winners at the World of Learning Awards, celebrated at a black-tie ceremony in Birmingham. The prestigious annual awards recognize individuals and organizations for their outstanding contributions to UK business learning and training excellence.
Benefits of £4.4 million for the ‘too fat to work’
Nearly 2,000 people received £4.4 million in incapacity benefits for obesity, according to Department for Work and Pensions data. The findings highlight billions paid for various illnesses, with mental health conditions accounting for over £2 billion in 2006-07, raising concerns about the sustainability of the benefit system.
HR salaries on the rise
HR salaries increased by 6.8% over the past year, with directors earning £120,000 and HR officers making £25,832 annually. The rise outpaced the previous year’s 5.6% increase, though gender pay gaps remained unchanged at 95-100% of male salaries.
Ordinary job is the dream for most workers
A new UK survey across five industries reveals most workers are satisfied with their current jobs, with accountants showing the highest contentment at 89 percent. Despite tempting alternatives like footballer or film star, employees overwhelmingly chose their own professions as their dream job.
Government unveils plans for 7.5m new training places
The government will fund 7.5 million training places across England to boost skills among less qualified workers, including 3.5 million basic skills places and 120,000 apprenticeships for young people.
