Rogue employment agencies face unlimited fines
Rogue employment agencies face unlimited fines under new government crackdown plans to combat worker exploitation. The number of employment agency inspectors will double to 24, though unions are calling for additional protections including equal rights for temporary workers after six weeks of employment.
Trader gets second shot at failed sex discrimination claim
A former BNP Paribas trader is appealing an employment tribunal ruling that rejected her £1.35 million sex discrimination claim after her clients were reassigned upon returning from maternity leave. The Equal Opportunities Commission is supporting her challenge, arguing the tribunal improperly assessed whether she faced treatment less favorable than male colleagues in similar circumstances.
TUC announce change at the top
The Trades Union Congress has announced Dave Prentis, general secretary of public services union Unison, as its next president. Prentis plans to prioritize the rights of vulnerable workers facing poverty wages and poor treatment in the UK workplace.
Train to Gain celebrates its first birthday
Train to Gain marks its first anniversary with significant growth, attracting over 52,000 employers and enabling nearly 230,000 employees to begin learning through the government-backed advisory service. The program has exceeded targets, with almost 96,000 employees completing level two qualifications across sectors including health, social work, and retail.
In case of emergency…what do you do?
Learn what happens when an employee has an accident at work. Most employers lack medical information and emergency contacts, causing delays in treatment and notification that can take up to six hours.
The parent trap: Dealing with childcare. By Louise Druce
Many employers fail to offer adequate childcare support, forcing parents—particularly mothers—to accept lower-skilled jobs. This article examines why companies resist family-friendly policies and what barriers prevent flexible working arrangements that could retain talented employees.
The Harrogate pilgrimage: A journey worth making? By Annie Hayes
The CIPD annual conference in Harrogate offers world-class speakers, interactive keynotes, and extensive HR exhibitions, though attendees have mixed opinions on its value and content breadth. Industry leaders debate whether the event delivers cutting-edge insights or covers too much ground.
Statutory dismissal procedures: Do you know when they apply?
Employers must follow statutory dismissal procedures carefully to avoid automatic unfair dismissal claims. Key requirements include giving employees full details of allegations before any disciplinary hearing and allowing them time to respond, as demonstrated by employment law case law.
HR tip: Discovering past misdemeanours
Discover how to handle discovering an employee’s theft from a previous employer. Learn what actions you can take and how to prevent similar issues through proper reference checks and interview procedures going forward.
Are you paying too much tax?
Less than half of UK employees pay the correct amount of tax due to unawareness of tax-saving opportunities. Professional tax return services offered as employee benefits can identify savings and reclaim overpayments from up to six years prior.
Jobless count tumbles setting new record
Unemployment has fallen to a record low with 29.10 million people now employed, the highest figure since 1971. Jobseeker’s Allowance claims dropped 104,000 over the year, though economists warn public sector employment is lagging behind private sector growth.
Lesbian candidates ‘dress-down’ identity to escape discrimination
A new study finds lesbian job candidates are adopting more feminine or gender-neutral appearance in interviews to avoid discrimination, despite recent equality legislation intended to protect against such workplace bias.
Nicht sprechen Deutsche: Bank in race discrimination row
A senior banker at Dresdner Kleinwort is suing for £10 million, claiming he was sidelined and made redundant because he wasn’t German enough. Malcolm Perry alleges senior Frankfurt-based managers secretly plotted to turn the bank into a German institution, favoring German-speakers for key positions. Dresdner Kleinwort denies the discrimination allegations.
250,000 temp placements ‘jeopardised’
The CBI warns that an EU Agency Workers Directive could jeopardize 250,000 temporary placements by requiring equal employment rights after just six weeks, significantly reducing the flexibility that makes temp work attractive to employers.
Ramadan presents religious discrimination concern
Employers are being warned to accommodate Muslim workers during Ramadan to avoid religious discrimination claims. Simple workplace adjustments like flexible break times and shift changes can help support employees fasting from dawn to dusk during the month-long observance, which runs September 13 to October 11.
Smoking ban boosts public health
Scotland’s smoking ban has led to a 17 percent drop in heart attack admissions and a 40 percent reduction in second-hand smoke exposure among adults and children, delivering major public health benefits especially for bar workers and workplace employees.
Lack of flexibility for working mothers
A survey of over 600 working mothers found that 90% struggle to find jobs offering the flexibility they need, with 83% reporting difficulty locating flexible roles that match their skills. Employers risk losing talented candidates by not prioritizing flexible work arrangements.
Employment legislation: Untangling the red tape. By Matt Henkes
Employment laws are complex and constantly changing, requiring HR professionals to stay vigilant to avoid costly mistakes and penalties. This article explores key legislative updates and practical strategies for keeping compliant with evolving regulations.
How to prevent leavers working for the opposition
Employers can use restrictive covenants to prevent departing employees from working for competitors, but these clauses must be reasonable and necessary to protect legitimate business interests such as confidential information. Courts will only enforce non-competition agreements if the employee had access to trade secrets or sensitive business data that could harm the company if shared with rivals.
Revisiting the interview
Learn how to refine your interview technique with structured, competency-based approaches. A chartered occupational psychologist shares best practices for preparation, bias awareness, and effective questioning to improve your recruitment outcomes.
