New chief for UK skills
Simon Bartley has been appointed as the new chief executive of UK Skills, taking over from Jacqui Henderson on 1 October. Bartley, currently chair of SummitSkills, brings extensive experience in skills development and sector leadership roles across the UK.
Spotlight: Carol Lath, HR director, Kingsley Napley. By Annie Hayes
Carol Lath, HR director at Kingsley Napley law firm, began her HR career at age 34 when unexpectedly placed in charge of an accountancy practice in Ivory Coast. She later earned her CIPD qualification while balancing work and family, eventually progressing to HR leadership roles across major firms.
Crossing borders: The talent melting pot
UK businesses are expanding their recruitment strategies beyond traditional industry-specific talent to address skills shortages. Modern employers increasingly value transferable skills like customer service and relationship management over sector experience, creating opportunities for career changers across various industries.
Carers struggle to cope with dual demands
More than 6 million adults in the “sandwich” generation juggle caring for elderly parents, raising children, and working full-time, providing £21 billion in unpaid care annually. The report reveals that one in eight adults spend over 8 hours weekly caring for parents, while underestimating care home costs by nearly a third.
Substance and alcohol misuse policy: The correct approach
Employers should adopt substance and alcohol misuse policies developed with staff input that prioritize support and assistance over immediate dismissal. While compassionate help is essential, policies must clearly define when disciplinary action applies, particularly for illegal drugs in the workplace or safety risks.
EAPs: 10 tips for getting the most out of them
Employee Assistance Programmes offer far more than crisis counselling. Employers can maximize EAP value by educating employees on available services, tailoring communications to different demographics, promoting regularly, and ensuring comprehensive support materials are accessible across multiple formats.
Ask the expert: Resignation following invite to discipline
When an employee resigns during disciplinary proceedings, employers can generally accept the resignation safely, particularly if it wasn’t made impulsively. However, employers should consider whether proceeding with the disciplinary hearing or reporting to police remains necessary based on the evidence and circumstances.
Third of bosses ‘frightened’ into Facebook ban
Over a third of employers now ban Facebook and other social networking sites due to concerns about lost productivity, security risks, and bandwidth consumption. The blocks have increased 17 percent year-over-year as companies struggle to manage employee usage of platforms like YouTube, LinkedIn, and MySpace.
New Year opening for nuclear skills academy
A new National Skills Academy for the nuclear sector will open in January 2008, aimed at improving training standards, boosting productivity, and addressing skills shortages in England’s nuclear industry with support from major employers.
Inquiry into future of adult learning
A UK inquiry into adult learning launched today by government, business, and academic experts aims to build consensus on future policy. The initiative will examine how adult learning should respond to key challenges including globalization, technological change, poverty reduction, and environmental sustainability.
HR to rescue employees from bad debt
HR departments are being urged to support employee financial wellbeing by dedicating monthly time to personal money management. AXA’s My Budget Day initiative, backed by the CBI and Unite union, aims to reduce workplace stress linked to money worries, which is the leading cause of UK depression and stress-related absences.
Employees admit exaggerating expense claims is acceptable
A third of UK employees now admit to exaggerating work expense claims, up from a quarter six years ago. The rise reflects growing cynicism toward employers, with some justifying inflated claims due to inadequate reimbursement or unfair salaries.
CIPD conference and exhibition: News round-up. By Annie Hayes and Lucie Benson
Talent and engagement were the focus of the CIPD’s 60th annual conference in Harrogate, where 5,000 HR professionals and 300 suppliers gathered. A CIPD study found talent management efforts need improvement, with only 65 percent rating them effective. Key themes included HR’s role in identifying talent and strengthening CEO-HR director partnerships.
Staff development: Looking both ways. By Matt Henkes
Effective staff development requires alignment with organizational goals and strong line manager involvement, not just generic training courses. When companies invest in employee growth, they improve retention, engagement, and long-term performance while fostering a culture where staff feel valued.
My boss is bad
Workplace leadership systems are structurally designed to create bad bosses rather than good ones, according to organizational expert Chetan Dhruve. He argues that bosses function as dictators by definition since employees lack voting rights, and that training won’t fix inherently flawed organizational structures.
Happy 60th birthday CIPD conference
The CIPD conference celebrates its 60th anniversary in Harrogate, attracting over 5,000 HR professionals and 300 leading suppliers annually. This year features new themed zones covering employee benefits, recruitment, talent management, and HR software, with showcase theatres offering free educational sessions throughout the event.
‘I told you so’: CIPD law briefing celebrates demise of statutory D&G procedures
The Gibbons Report’s recommendation to repeal statutory discipline and grievance procedures is expected to take effect in April 2009. Employment law experts warn that while these procedures will be replaced by guidance on fair processes, organizations must maintain clear documentation of dismissals and use mediation early in workplace disputes to protect themselves legally.
HR director and CEO partnership is key
A strong partnership between the HR director and CEO is essential for organizational success, according to Vodafone UK’s HR director Matthew Brearley. He outlined five principles for effective HR-board relationships, emphasizing seamless collaboration and shared philosophy as critical drivers of business performance.
Increasing pressure means long hours for HR
HR professionals are working significantly longer hours, with 56% now working 40-45 hours weekly—a 20% increase over two years. A survey of 6,000 HR workers found private sector staff working even longer hours, though 64% still rate their job satisfaction as good or excellent.
HR Tip: Transfer of undertakings
Under TUPE regulations, when a business function transfers to a contractor, employees can either move with the contractor or leave their position. If an employee declines the transfer and no alternative role exists, their departure is treated as resignation rather than dismissal, with no break in service continuity.
