Legendary comedian presents an ode to the awards
Legendary comedian Barry Cryer delivered a 30-minute comedy set at Sift Media’s 2007 Business Software Satisfaction Awards in London, culminating in a specially composed poem celebrating business software with clever wordplay and industry references.
Business Software Satisfaction Awards 2007: The results
The 2007 Business Software Satisfaction Awards recognized top software providers based on feedback from nearly 2,000 users across eight professional online communities. Moneysoft Payroll, ASR, Northgate, Taleo, and Adobe won in their respective categories, with winners selected by independent user ratings of product quality and support.
Employers warned of apathy towards employee wellbeing
A third of UK workers feel their employer neglects their health, new research by Business in the Community reveals. The study found 62% don’t believe bosses view staff as valuable investments, while 46% say poor wellbeing support has reduced productivity.
Beyond recognition: Success at the SSAs
The Business Software Satisfaction Awards recognized top software providers across accounting, HR, and CRM categories, with winners chosen by consumers. Companies like Adobe, Intuit QuickBooks, and Salesforce.com celebrated victories that validated their customer-driven innovation and service excellence.
New chief executive for the CIPD
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has appointed Jackie Orme as its new chief executive, effective April 2008. Orme, currently chief personnel officer at PepsiCo International, replaces retiring CEO Geoff Armstrong and brings extensive HR leadership experience to the role.
Cuts both ways: Handling mass redundancy. By Louise Druce
Mass redundancies require careful HR management and fair procedures to protect both departing and remaining employees. Proper communication, transparent selection criteria, and exploring alternatives like workforce flexibility can minimize legal risks and preserve organizational morale during difficult workforce reductions.
The Facebook face-off. By Lucie Benson
Experts and employers remain divided on whether Facebook and social networking sites should be permitted in the workplace, citing concerns about productivity, IT security, and company reputation, while some argue for reasonable policies with appropriate restrictions.
£5m Olympic boost for London skills
The UK government is investing £5m in training programmes for Londoners ahead of the 2012 Olympics, funding apprenticeships in hospitality, customer services, and sports coaching roles to prepare workers for Games-related opportunities.
Government leadership programme goes international
The National School of Government’s flagship Top Management Programme now includes an international week hosted in Vienna, allowing participants to explore central and eastern European cities and understand evolving global leadership challenges.
Curing the absence disease
Absence costs UK organisations an average of £659 per employee annually, yet fewer than half monitor its impact. Healthcare consultant Paul Roberts outlines practical steps organisations should take to manage absenteeism through preventative approaches, comprehensive tracking, clear policies, and employee support.
‘Office rage’ felt across Europe
A survey of 3,000 European office workers reveals that being spoken down to by bosses and colleagues is the primary cause of workplace anger, with long, pointless meetings and office politics also major frustration triggers across the region.
Disciplining stressed employees
When employees become stressed during disciplinary procedures and go off sick, employers face a difficult situation balancing legal obligations with workplace management. Employment law expert Paul Archer explores the options available when formal disciplinary processes lead to stress-related absence.
Ask the expert: Gross or non-gross misconduct?
Two employment law experts weigh in on whether an employee’s undisclosed part-time consulting work constitutes gross misconduct or standard misconduct. They discuss the appropriate disciplinary response and tribunal considerations.
City bosses plan new year job sacking spree
City financial sector job losses of up to 6,500 are expected in 2008 due to the credit crunch, with private equity and hedge funds facing the steepest cuts. Economists predict the decline will be temporary, with recovery anticipated by 2009 as markets stabilize.
Bad interviewers damage brand
Poor interviewer conduct is damaging UK companies’ ability to attract talent. A survey found 56% of candidates blamed interviewers for bad experiences, citing lateness, rudeness, and unprepared questions. Over 40% subsequently rejected job offers, highlighting how interview quality directly impacts employer brand and recruitment success.
Royal Mail signs manager deal as strikes continue
Royal Mail has reached a pay deal with its managers’ union while ongoing strikes by 130,000 communication workers continue over pay and job security concerns. The CWU strike is disrupting services, with further stoppages planned and no resolution expected before next week.
Victory for sacked nose stud worker
A Heathrow airport worker has been reinstated after being fired for wearing a nose stud she said was part of her Hindu faith. The GMB union backed her appeal, and the company acknowledged the dismissal resulted from a misunderstanding of its facial piercing policy.
Small shops beat superstores over staff benefits
Independent retailers are beating supermarket chains by offering better staff benefits and competitive wages, even exceeding statutory requirements like annual leave. Unlike large stores that oppose minimum wage increases, small businesses willingly pay premiums to attract quality employees and differentiate themselves through superior service.
HR services on offer by joint IBM and council venture
Somerset County Council and Taunton Deane Borough Council have partnered with IBM to establish Southwest One, a £400 million shared-services venture delivering HR, customer services, and procurement to half a million residents over 10 years. The joint venture will also be available to 30 other public sector organizations in the region.
Jobs to go as chocolate giant takes manufacturing overseas
Cadbury Trebor Bassett is closing its Keynsham factory and moving manufacturing to Poland, affecting 500 employees by 2010. An additional 200 jobs will be lost at the Bournville site as operations are outsourced abroad.
