Managers stress importance of political skills
Political skills are increasingly vital for career success, with managers acknowledging they need to improve their ability to influence others. A study found most believe skills for building alliances will grow more important, particularly for partnership working and engaging with government.
Working week even more of a slog
Employees are working half a day more per week than five years ago, with 36 percent now working over 48 hours weekly, according to new research by employment law firm Peninsula. The study reveals the working week has extended by a full day over the past decade, while men work longer hours than women.
Chancing in the moonlight
Nearly a third of British workers admit to juggling multiple jobs, with 7% holding two additional roles despite employer bans. Beyond financial necessity, employees cite feeling underappreciated and exploring new career opportunities as motivators for moonlighting.
Holiday blues trigger resignation thoughts
Nearly half of holiday travelers consider resigning from their jobs after returning home, with 67% expressing interest in starting their own business. The melancholy of post-vacation life often reignites long-held entrepreneurial ambitions.
Applause for first minimum-wage clampdown
A nursery owner has been fined in the first criminal prosecution for minimum wage violations, marking a tougher enforcement stance welcomed by unions who argue penalties should be significantly increased to deter offending employers.
Awards to recognise stress management
The National Stress Management Awards recognise UK companies with effective workplace stress management policies and innovative ideas. Open to all public and private sector organisations, the awards honour those making a real difference to employee wellbeing.
Competition bites team spirit
Nearly half of workers believe workplace competition destroys team spirit, according to a survey by Investors in People. While some see healthy competition as motivating, excessive rivalry breeds distrust and damages collaboration. Managers must balance employee ambition with clear objectives to prevent divisive workplace cultures.
HR fails to push ‘green’ transport
Most organizations fall short on promoting sustainable transport, with 70% of HR professionals acknowledging they could do more. While recycling and energy efficiency initiatives are common, only 45% of companies promote car-sharing, despite the potential for cost savings and environmental benefits through greener travel alternatives and remote working.
Tips for the top: Getting the most from executive coaching. By Matt Henkes
Executive coaching is increasingly valued as a tool for developing leaders’ full potential rather than fixing problems. With 90 percent of organizations incorporating coaching into leadership development strategies, HR professionals should understand how to measure its effectiveness and choose between internal coaches and external consultants.
Spotlight: John Roberts, HR director, Ford Retail. By Lucie Benson
John Roberts, HR director at Ford Retail, discusses his career journey from hospitality to retail leadership and how his experiences at companies like Whitbread, Kingfisher, and Greene King are shaping his approach to managing 3,000 employees across 65 sites.
Sexual harassment predator to men and women
Sexual harassment affects both men and women in the workplace, with men accounting for two-fifths of reported incidents despite lower overall reporting rates. Employers must implement clear harassment policies, communicate them effectively to all staff, and treat all claims equally regardless of the victim’s or perpetrator’s gender.
Ask the expert: Special sick policy
Setting up a different sick policy for an individual employee, particularly one with mental health issues, risks disability discrimination claims. Legal experts advise against reduced sick pay arrangements and recommend applying standard policies with proper absence management procedures instead.
Soaring City bonuses sparks outrage
City worker bonuses surged 30 percent to a record £14 billion, sparking outrage over widening pay inequality between executives and ordinary workers amid broader economic concerns.
Anti-bullying policies: What you need to know
Effective anti-bullying policies protect employees through various employment laws, including the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, which defines harassment as conduct causing alarm or distress. Behaviors constituting bullying range from silence and exclusion to discriminatory jokes and belittling comments, which should be addressed in company disciplinary policies.
US job hunters targeted in Monster.com blackmail hack
Thousands of US jobseekers on Monster.com received phishing emails with a Trojan virus that encrypted their files, with hackers demanding $300 ransoms. The sophisticated attack exploited the site’s trusted reputation and compromised users’ personal data including passwords and PayPal details.
Breastfeeding Mayor wins damages
A mayor has won damages from her council after being banned from breastfeeding in the official limousine during civic duties. Dr Pauleen Lane successfully sued Trafford Council for sexual discrimination, arguing a male mayor would not have faced such restrictions. She was awarded £7,000 in damages plus legal costs exceeding £170,000.
Earnings soar as demand for HR interims reaches new high
HR interim managers are commanding record daily rates averaging £585 as demand for their services peaks, driven by talent shortages and sourcing challenges across manufacturing, engineering, and government sectors.
Training and development top priority for graduates
Graduates prioritize training and development as their top consideration when choosing a first employer, with 44% ranking it above salary and benefits, according to an Ernst & Young survey of over 1,000 respondents.
Rise in GCSE top grades
GCSE top grades continue to rise, with nearly one in five students achieving an A* or A grade. Results in English and maths also improved slightly, while the gender gap in performance continues to narrow.
Royal Mail staff raise millions in payroll donation scheme
Royal Mail employees raised a record £2.6 million through payroll giving in the last financial year, with around 50,000 staff participating in the scheme. More than 850 charities benefited, with Help the Hospices receiving nearly £250,000, as the organization aims to reach £5 million annually by 2013.
