Sir Menzies – a victim of ageism?
Former Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell faced discrimination based on his age rather than his performance, employment law experts argue. The case highlights widespread ageism in society and the workplace, where older workers are often sidelined despite their qualifications and abilities.
Swearing at work can help relieve stress
Research from the University of East Anglia shows that allowing employees to swear at work can help relieve stress and build team solidarity. The study found that non-abusive expletives help workers express feelings and strengthen social relationships, though profanity should still be discouraged around customers and senior staff.
Minister blames employers for gender gap
Skills minister David Lammy has blamed British employers for the slow uptake of a £20 million government training scheme aimed at improving women’s employment prospects. The London Level 3 pilot, designed to provide working women with A-level equivalent training, has attracted only 750 attendees against a target of 12,000, prompting Lammy to argue employers need to change their practices.
Firms tested during recruitment
Employers risk damaging their reputation and losing customers by treating job applicants poorly during recruitment. Poor hiring practices—including lack of feedback, misleading job descriptions, and unresponsive communication—can lead candidates to avoid the company and share negative experiences with others.
Is your performance management performing? By Rob Lewis
Effective performance management requires ongoing feedback throughout the year rather than annual reviews, with HR designing processes that line managers will actually use. Success depends on shifting focus from past performance to future goals and recognizing managers’ people-management skills as key competencies.
Employee retention – does it matter?
High employee retention alone may not guarantee organizational growth. While retention is important, keeping long-tenured employees without adequate challenges can lead to stagnation and reduced innovation. Strategic focus should balance retention with employee development, meaningful work, and accurate job expectations.
Did that hurt? A new, painless way of using recruiters
A new recruitment approach focuses on opportunity cost, asking hiring managers to evaluate the true value of their time spent on hiring. By partnering strategically with recruiters and following clear guidelines—being candid, comprehensive, and concise about candidate requirements—organizations can reduce costly wrong hires and improve recruitment outcomes.
Ask the expert: Maternity suspension
When a pregnant employee refuses an alternative role due to workplace risks, employers can suspend her, but the legality of unpaid suspension depends on whether the refusal is reasonable. Seek medical confirmation of her back concerns before deciding on pay status.
Going green: The new pressure facing HR
HR directors face growing pressure to embed sustainability into business practices, with jobseekers and graduates increasingly demanding environmentally responsible employers. However, HR professionals must implement genuine green policies integrated into management culture rather than superficial PR initiatives to avoid backlash.
Financial services employers miss the mark on benefits
Financial services employers are offering benefits that don’t match what employees actually want, according to new research. While flexible working hours tops employee priorities, only 55% of firms offer it. Meanwhile, employers heavily promote season ticket loans and gym memberships that few employees value.
Cities hit by ‘brain drain’
Over half a million UK graduates are moving to London, creating a “brain drain” in major cities like Norwich and Ipswich, according to a Jobsite survey. One in three students plan to relocate to the capital for better job prospects and higher salaries, though many don’t intend to stay permanently.
Only a third of employees offered benefits
A survey reveals that two-thirds of employees receive no benefits, with employer pension schemes and above-minimum holiday allowance being most desired. Over 80% of workers would switch jobs for better benefits at the same salary.
Firms urged to ‘boomerang hire’
Boomerang hiring—rehiring former employees—delivers significant cost savings and productivity gains, research shows. A study of 60 global firms found 66% of re-hires performed as star employees compared to 26% of new hires, because returning workers already understand company culture and require minimal training.
When a team is born: How HR can bring people together
HR can build effective teams by designing organizational structures, processes, and culture that foster mutual trust and respect, while allowing line managers the autonomy to manage their staff. Strategic contributions like culture audits and performance management system design are more impactful than direct team-building interventions.
Legislation update: Liability for stress at work
A recent Court of Appeal decision in Deadman v Bristol City Council has further limited employee liability claims for work-related stress. The court ruled that employers are not liable for psychiatric injury caused by breaching contractual procedures or handling complaints insensitively, establishing that psychological harm must be reasonably foreseeable to hold employers accountable.
Act it out: Using drama-based training
Drama-based training has evolved from simple role-playing to sophisticated simulation events that engage both intellect and emotions. Professional actors help organizations address workplace behavior change by creating realistic, interactive scenarios that persuade participants intellectually and emotionally that behavioral improvement is possible and beneficial.
Understanding employee engagement
UK organisations lose more than half their new employees within two years, with one in four departing within six months. Despite investing billions in recruitment, most organisations lack retention strategies or budgets, creating costly, continuous hiring cycles that undermine long-term talent management success.
HR tip: Disabled employee and sickness benefit
Employers must continue paying sick pay to disabled employees only if they failed to make reasonable adjustments to enable the employee to work. Once contractual sick pay is exhausted, the obligation to pay depends on whether proper workplace accommodations were implemented under disability rights law.
New CIPD Chief Executive appointed
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development has appointed Jackie Orme as Chief Executive, replacing retiring Geoff Armstrong. Orme joins from PepsiCo International.
Business Software Satisfaction Awards 2007
Industry leaders and employers gathered in London for the 2007 Business Software Satisfaction Awards, celebrating excellence in business software. The awards ceremony, organized by Sift Media, recognized deserving winners across various categories.
