Holy grail of management development. By Matt Henkes
Effective management development requires blended learning strategies and investment, particularly for line and middle managers who shape organizational culture. UK companies face underinvestment in manager training despite research showing young managers seek development opportunities and staff retention improves when employers demonstrate commitment to their growth.
Engaging contractors: Clearing the muddy waters
Companies hesitant about hiring contractors may be overestimating employment law risks. Establishing proper business-to-business relationships, using service contracts rather than employment contracts, and maintaining distinct working practices effectively protects hirers from contractor employment claims, even beyond 12 months.
Rosy employment figures mask disappointing pay deals
Employment rose by 93,000 to reach 29 million, while unemployment fell by 35,000, but wage growth remains weak at 3.5% annually—failing to keep pace with inflation and raising concerns about consumer spending and job market sustainability.
Education not key to success, say entrepreneurs
A Barclays poll reveals that just 46% of small business owners hold degrees, and only 11% believe formal education is essential for entrepreneurial success. The research suggests entrepreneurship is an innate quality rather than one requiring academic credentials, with 20% of business leaders educated to GCSE level or below.
Sports Council for Wales puts £2m into workforce fitness
The Sports Council for Wales is investing £2m to help businesses promote employee fitness through active travel plans, fitness equipment, and workplace renovations. Funding of up to £100,000 is available to support staff wellbeing initiatives including instructor training and facility upgrades.
Rock star Sting loses sexual discrimination case
Sting and his wife Trudie Styler have been ordered to pay £24,944 after a court found them guilty of sexual discrimination against their former chef Jane Martin, who was dismissed following her return from maternity leave. The ruling found that Styler treated Martin poorly during her pregnancy and required her to stand for long periods despite knowing about her previous miscarriage.
Childcare vouchers – “I’m not bovvvered”
Only 2% of eligible working parents claim childcare vouchers despite potential savings of up to £2,400 annually for dual-income households. Most non-claimants cite hassle and confusion about the application process, though signing up takes just 15 minutes online.
Skills keep bosses at home
Unskilled staff is preventing small business managers from taking vacation time. Research by the Learning Skills Council found that two in five small business managers aren’t using their full holiday allowance, with one in five citing unskilled staff as the main barrier to time off.
Going the whole blog: The benefits of social networking
Blogging offers significant benefits as a marketing and networking tool, allowing professionals to reach a wider audience beyond geographic and time constraints. By posting regularly and sharing genuine thoughts and observations, bloggers can establish credibility, connect with like-minded professionals, and create a dynamic CV for potential clients.
Referrals net employees £16 billion bonus
UK companies have paid employees £16 billion in referral bonuses for hiring friends and family, with successful referrals averaging £3,495. Employee referrals result in higher job satisfaction, with 73% of referred workers satisfied compared to just over 66% hired through agencies.
Ask the expert: Can a manager send staff home?
Employers can generally impose dress codes and send staff home for non-compliance, provided the policy is applied fairly and without discrimination. However, employers should consult employees before implementing new uniform requirements and account for practical issues like incomplete uniform provision.
Diary of a job hunt: What happened to feedback?
A job seeker in her 50s reflects on her ongoing search for employment, adjusting her CV and salary expectations while facing age discrimination concerns and discovering a frustrating lack of feedback from recruitment agencies.
Developing an HR strategy. By John Pope
Ever wondered what the term ‘strategic’ really means, in an HR context? And once you have an HR strategy in mind, how do you ensure it works and you get the end result you were hoping for? Management consultant John Pope provides some answers. ‘Strategic’ seems to be a new label to stick onto any […]
Exit interviews: The long goodbye. By Annie Hayes
Exit interviews can turn confrontational when departing employees raise grievances or complaints. HR professionals debate whether to handle issues informally or follow formal procedures, with best practice suggesting formal grievance processes protect both employers and employees from future tribunal claims.
Bovis acts to tackle construction skills shortages
Bovis Lend Lease UK is launching Be Onsite, a not-for-profit organization designed to address construction skills shortages through on-site industry training and employment. The initiative targets skills gaps in small firms, which represent 94% of the construction industry, and aims to expand across the country to meet the demand for over 85,000 new entrants annually.
Rolls Royce launches graduate scheme
Rolls Royce Motor Cars has launched a graduate scheme offering up to 15 recruits a two-year programme with mentorship from senior management. The initiative includes cross-functional placements across manufacturing, engineering, finance, marketing, and IT, with potential international opportunities.
Profit chasing sees Unilever axe half of management
Unilever plans to cut its senior management by 50 percent as part of a restructuring to create a “leaner, simpler” business. The overhaul includes job losses in sales and marketing, office consolidations, and a shift to focus on retail customers and brand investment.
Bosses find remedy for soaring absence
Employers are stepping up wellbeing initiatives to combat rising sickness absence, which has increased to 8.4 days per employee annually. A CIPD survey shows 42% of organizations now have wellbeing strategies in place, though many fail to communicate benefits effectively or measure their impact.
‘Soft touches’ open doors to thieving and dishonest employees
A University of Leicester study reveals that staff dishonesty costs employers nearly £500 million annually, with some employees deliberately joining companies perceived as “soft touches” to steal. Common theft includes till money, merchandise, and discount card fraud, often enabled by weak warehouse security and poor working conditions.
CIPD applaud recommendations to scrap dispute procedures
The CIPD welcomes government plans to scrap statutory dispute resolution procedures introduced in 2004, citing research showing employers struggle to resolve disputes informally under current rules. The organization also supports proposed changes to employment and pensions legislation.
