All alone? The plight of vulnerable workers. By Annie Hayes
Lone workers across multiple professions face significant safety risks, with over 655,000 violence incidents recorded in England and Wales in 2004/05. Nurses, social workers, and community healthcare staff are particularly vulnerable when visiting clients in isolated locations without immediate support from colleagues or managers.
Maternity extensions trap women
Extended maternity leave policies are backfiring, with employers—especially small and medium-sized businesses—reluctant to hire women due to concerns about retention and productivity. A survey reveals that while 72 percent of companies plan flexible working arrangements, only 43 percent of SMEs have technology infrastructure to support remote work for working mothers.
Email snooping: Monitoring your employees
Employers can legally monitor employee emails, but must follow strict legal requirements. Monitoring is only permitted when business benefits outweigh privacy intrusion, workers are warned in advance, and data is kept secure. Various laws including the Human Rights Act protect employee privacy rights in the workplace.
Early signs signal smoking success
Two weeks after a smoking ban took effect, 97% of inspected premises were smoke-free, with 79% displaying proper no-smoking signage. The high compliance rates, comparable to Scotland and Ireland’s early success, demonstrate strong public and business cooperation with the new laws.
Ask the expert: Statutory and annual leave for part-time workers
Part-time and job share workers are entitled to statutory leave on a pro rata basis according to their working days. Employment law experts explain how employers should handle disputes over leave entitlement fairness between part-time employees and clarify statutory requirements.
Happiness is performance pay
Lancaster University research shows that performance-based pay boosts employee happiness beyond just productivity. Workers with access to bonuses and profit sharing report higher job satisfaction, better work-life balance satisfaction, and greater job security, though benefits vary between genders.
MPs criticise government skills scheme
An MPs committee has criticised the government’s Train to Gain skills scheme for being overly complex and bureaucratic, with funding restrictions that limit employer choice. The report warns the system may subsidize training employers would fund anyway and calls for a more demand-led approach alongside broader economic support.
Plan to boost skills of unemployed
The government has launched the Employability Skills programme to help unemployed Jobcentre Plus customers improve literacy, numeracy and language skills, and find sustainable employment with ongoing support.
Employees frustrated with managers’ indecision
Nearly half of employees view their managers as poor decision makers, citing incompetence and lack of confidence. Research shows this indecisiveness frustrates staff, damages morale, and reduces productivity, yet most senior leaders believe their managers decide well.
Friday feeling costs businesses £50m
UK businesses lose over £50 million annually due to “Friday Feeling,” when employees slack off on the final workday using excuses like long lunches and medical appointments. Personnel software company Employersafe says this trend contributes significantly to the country’s £13 billion workplace absenteeism problem.
HR tip: Compromise agreement
A compromise agreement is a legally binding contract between employer and employee that typically occurs at employment termination, setting out exit terms and preventing future legal action on specified matters like unfair dismissal or discrimination claims. The agreement must be written, clearly specify restricted legal topics, and confirm the employee received independent legal advice.
Getting hot on climate change. By Louise Druce
Companies are increasingly tackling climate change and carbon emissions, but employee engagement is critical to success. While businesses account for 40 percent of UK carbon emissions, most employees lack clear direction on how to contribute, despite over two-thirds wanting to participate in green initiatives.
Legislation update: ‘Without prejudice’ discussions
A recent court ruling clarifies when ‘without prejudice’ protections apply to employment settlement discussions. The rule shields off-the-record communications made to resolve disputes from being used as evidence in litigation, allowing employers to discuss exit terms earlier. Protection depends on whether parties reasonably contemplated litigation, assessed on a case-by-case basis.
The ups and downs of an outsourcing journey
HR outsourcing offers significant benefits like cost savings, efficiency gains, and strategic HR focus, but requires careful planning and understanding of the transformation process. Learn from industry lessons and best practices to successfully navigate your outsourcing journey.
E-networking is career suicide
Employers increasingly screen candidates’ social media profiles, and indiscreet posts about employers, personal activities, or controversial views can permanently damage career prospects. Career-focused employees should carefully manage their online presence as inappropriate content can disqualify them from job opportunities.
Diversity still a pipe dream
A Monster jobsite survey reveals 62% of employees say their company lacks diversity or they’re unaware of its status. Minority groups and disabled workers continue facing employment barriers, with less than half of working-age disabled people in jobs and significantly higher unemployment rates among Black Caribbean, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi communities.
CSR gets top billing with job seekers
A third of job seekers prioritize corporate social responsibility over salary, according to a BT survey. Nearly half would reject employers with poor CSR records, while 44% believe responsible business practices should be mandatory.
Botched recruitment sparks hospital chaos
A flawed online recruitment system has triggered chaos as 30,000 junior doctors begin work simultaneously, with around 1,000 posts still unfilled and 16,000 doctors unable to secure new positions. The system’s security flaws and design failures have forced some doctors to work punishing schedules and complicated hospital staffing levels across the NHS.
Half of bosses fancy their employees
A poll reveals that over half of bosses are attracted to their employees, with 30% admitting to sexual relationships with staff. The survey found that one-quarter of those involved are married, and many workplace encounters occur at office events or late-night work sessions.
Summertime and the living ain’t easy. By Rob Lewis
Summer holidays present HR challenges as employees struggle to disconnect from work before and during vacation. Research shows nearly half of British workers can’t stop thinking about the office while away, while those left behind often feel increased pressure. HR should help staff plan leave strategically, ensuring clear handovers and manageable workloads.
