Pensions consultation: keep it simple
Mercer urges the government to maintain a simplified regulatory approach to private pensions, focusing on basic incentives for employers rather than widespread deregulation. The consulting firm questions the feasibility of complex pension reforms, warning that flexibility in schemes could disappoint members and lead to re-regulation.
Culture shift required to help ethnic minority women in the workplace
A major investigation reveals Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and Black Caribbean women face significantly greater workplace barriers than white women, despite equal qualifications. The Equal Opportunities Commission calls for cultural intelligence and systemic change to address hidden discrimination and unlock the talent of Britain’s growing ethnic minority workforce.
You can’t be a slob if you work a McJob. By Sarah Fletcher
Fast food restaurants employ surprisingly effective management practices despite high turnover, according to researcher Jerry Newman’s undercover study. Newman argues that success depends on hiring for cultural fit and making jobs feel challenging rather than trivial, which builds employee self-worth and reduces costly turnover.
Vodafone: Improving the employee experience. By Sarah Fletcher
Vodafone fills nearly two-thirds of job vacancies with existing staff through improved internal transparency and employee development initiatives. By creating a clear recruitment process and promoting career opportunities across the organization, the company maintains high engagement while managing large candidate volumes effectively.
Flexible benefits for a flexible workforce
Flexible benefits allow employees to choose from a customized package of perks suited to their individual needs, helping employers attract and retain talent while controlling costs. This approach has become more accessible to small and medium-sized businesses through improved technology and software solutions.
HR tip: Analysing poor performance – is it misconduct or incapability?
Distinguish between misconduct and incapability when addressing poor employee performance. “Won’t do” issues warrant discipline and are treated as misconduct, while “can’t do” problems require support, training, and redeployment efforts before dismissal on incapability grounds.
Jobless rate falls – along with the employment rate
The UK jobless rate has fallen according to the latest Office for National Statistics figures, though the employment rate declined simultaneously. While unemployment and benefit claimants decreased, the number of economically inactive people of working age rose, creating a mixed picture of the labor market.
EU pushes ahead on cutting red tape for business
The EU has unveiled its first proposals to reduce business red tape across 13 areas, targeting a 25% cut in administrative burden by 2012. Early measures focus on simplifying merger procedures, removing costly expert report requirements, and streamlining freight transport documentation to ease compliance for SMEs and larger enterprises.
Age discrimination bites again
The Employers Forum on Age is campaigning against the UK’s 18-21 minimum wage band, arguing it constitutes illegal age discrimination. The organization is lobbying the government to equalize minimum wage standards for all workers over 18, warning that lower youth rates reinforce discriminatory hiring practices.
Court orders government to review sex discrimination laws
A high court judge has ruled the government must explain how it will remedy breaches of EU sex discrimination law, after the Equal Opportunities Commission challenged regulations implementing the Equal Treatment Directive for failing to adequately protect women’s maternity rights and prevent harassment.
Employees key to customer satisfaction
Organizations seeking to boost customer satisfaction are prioritizing employee investment over technology, according to a new survey. Sixty-one percent cite staff training and development as the most important route to better customer service, with employee engagement proven critical to success.
Recruiters pour good money after bad
Organizations are increasing recruitment spending without properly measuring its return on investment, according to research from the Recruitment Confidence Index. While 84% plan to boost recruitment budgets, only 49% systematically evaluate individual recruitment processes, and just 25% measure success using cost-per-hire metrics.
International HR policy – Luxury or necessity?
International HR policies are essential for multinational companies managing complex global assignments. These policies help control costs—which can reach three to five times an employee’s base salary—while ensuring assignees and their families are properly supported, reducing business risks associated with failed international placements.
Talent Management – Making it work. By Phil Rice
Talent management is no longer optional but essential for competitive organizations facing significant labor market changes. Phil Rice explains why effective implementation matters more than program design, as aging workforces, skills scarcity, and changing employee expectations create urgent talent retention challenges.
BA not to appeal further in flexible working case
British Airways has decided not to appeal further in a flexible working case it lost at both the employment tribunal and appeal tribunal. Pilot Jessica Starmer successfully claimed sex discrimination after BA refused her request to reduce working hours to 50 percent, offering only 75 percent instead. The airline and Starmer have now agreed to her 50 percent hours reduction.
Pension incomes reduced by three quarters in 10 years
Pension incomes have dropped by 76-78% over the past decade due to lower investment returns and reduced annuity rates, Watson Wyatt research shows. A man contributing £200 monthly for 20 years would receive £20,513 annually at retirement in 1997, but only £4,613 in 2007.
Pay pressures rise as skills shortages bite
Permanent staff pay inflation hit an eight-month high in February as skills shortages persist, with candidate availability falling for the 40th consecutive month. Temporary and contract worker pay also rose at the sharpest rate in 27 months, reflecting tight labor market conditions across both sectors.
Shunned job seekers turn into brand bashers
Poor recruitment experiences damage brand loyalty, with 53% of rejected job seekers refusing to purchase from companies that treat them badly. Research shows 55% share negative experiences with at least three others, while common complaints include lack of communication, missing feedback, and unanswered applications.
Ask the expert: Training payback agreements
Training payback agreements can remain enforceable even after an employee receives a new contract, depending on the contract’s wording. Legal experts advise that unless the new contract explicitly supersedes all previous agreements, bonding clauses typically continue to apply, though specific contract language and probation status may affect enforceability.
Legislation update: Be prepared to be flexible
New flexible working laws effective April 6, 2007 expand eligibility to include adult carers alongside parents of young or disabled children. An estimated 1.4 million employees will gain the right to request flexible working arrangements, including part-time work, job sharing, and remote work options.
