A third of graduates ‘chose the wrong degree’
A study by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development into the impact of tuition fees has found that a third of graduates believe they chose the wrong degree.Many feel the costs and related debts are stopping them from buying a house, starting a family and saving for retirement.The new survey Graduates in the workplace […]
Secret reference amounted to victimisation
An employment tribunal has found that Brighton and Hove City Council and one of its senior managers discriminated against and victimised a former employee on the grounds of gender reassignment.The individual, known as X, was supported by the Equal Opportunities Commission. X claimed lost opportunities to obtain work when a senior line manager revealed X’s […]
Flying computers and a cake break: what we wish had happened in 2006
‘Tis the week before Christmas and all through the wires The HR Zone team can be heard planning fun. So to spread festive cheer we thought we’d pass on Some of the stories we wish we had won.Here’s a selection of stories we really wish we’d seen during 2006. You never know, we might be […]
Smelly staff and chocolate benefits: Top HR Zone stories in 2006
It’s been an exciting year at HR Zone. From smelly staff and employees with the plague to squishy babies and chocolate benefits, it’s been a busy time for HR. As the year draws to a close, Sarah Fletcher gives you a round-up of the top ten features on HR Zone in 2006. HR Zone’s most […]
HR Tip: Timekeeping standards
HRD & Payroll Solutions continues to bring HR Zone members a range of HR and payroll tips in 2006. A market leader in the provision of HR and Payroll training and nationally recognised professional qualifications, HRD & Payroll Solutions are highly experienced in teaching about common HR and payroll problems. A wide selection of tips, […]
War for City talent to continue throughout 2007
A whopping 79 per cent of City firms expect to have trouble recruiting the right staff in 2007 – even though 75 per cent expect hiring activity to be greater than in 2006.The findings come in the Morgan McKinley employment monitor, which also reveals that 64 per cent of surveyed investment banks expect the 2007 […]
DTI issues new guidance on flexibility regulations
The DTI has updated its guidance on flexible working requests to include carers of adults, who will have the right to request a change in working patterns from 6 April 2007.Although anyone can request flexible working, only certain groups have a legal right to have their request considered. The guidance contains reminders of who is […]
HR in 2007: What does the future hold? By Sarah Fletcher
Sarah Fletcher asked members of HR Zone what they predict to be the biggest changes affecting HR in 2007. No crystal balls required. Shared service centres – Lemmings heading for the cliffs?RoseMarie Loft, HR director, SMBC:“I do wonder if the rush towards shared service centres is a bit like a batch of lemmings heading for […]
Why ‘Generation Y’ is all a lie. By Sarah Fletcher
‘Generation Y’, graduates and employees born in the 1980s, have a lot to answer for. Aside from crimes against fashion, these staff are reportedly selfish, demanding and disloyal to their employer. But, argues Sarah Fletcher, this assessment misses an important and fundamental point – it’s the employer’s fault. Branded as self-seeking and disloyal for apparently […]
Pay rises beat inflation
Government figures reveal that average earnings, excluding bonuses, rose by 3.8 per cent in the year to October 2006 – while the consumer prices measure of inflation increased by 2.4 per cent.The rise was fuelled by strong growth in the private sector during the month, which the Office for National Statistics attributes to overtime.Pay growth […]
Frustrating promotion processes leave employees quitting to get ahead
Secrecy and poor communication surrounding the promotion process could be the reason why 60 per cent of employees feel they have to switch organisation to progress in their career.Research by Investors in People (IiP) found that 53 per cent of employees questioned said their organisation’s approach to promotion remains a mystery and 77 per cent […]
More women occupy professional roles
A new report from the Work Foundation reveals a growth in the number of managerial, professional and semi-professional jobs over the past decade – and in the number of women occupying these roles.The report Efficiency and labour market polarisation finds that far from there having been a boom in low-paying, low-skilled service sector work since […]
Ask the expert: Unrecorded resignation
An employee resigns verbally but refuses to put it into writing until he has secured another job. What can HR do about it? Martin Brewer, partner and employment law specialist at Mills and Reeve, and Esther Smith, partner at Thomas Eggar, explain. The question:I have a member of staff whose review came in a month […]
Personal pensions accounts: white paper published
The government has published its white paper on personal accounts, the pension saving solution mooted in the general white paper on pension reform.Under the proposals up to 10 million people will automatically be enrolled into personal accounts, with a guaranteed employer contribution of at least three percent. The government estimates that the millions of people […]
HR challenge 2007: Recruitment and retention
A survey of senior HR managers reveals that recruitment and retention are seen as the biggest challenge for 2007.The research by Taleo shows that 37 per cent of respondents see employee retention as the biggest challenge, while the top concern of 29 per cent is hiring the best talent.The findings reflect a recent report in […]
Breaking up fights: Doing it better. By Dan Martin
Following the launch of a government review of the UK's employment dispute resolution procedures, HR Zone business editor Dan Martin asks experts what needs to be done to improve the process. The rules More workplace disputes should be resolved internally within organisations, the government claimed in October 2004 as it unveiled a range of measures […]
Plan it, don’t pan it
“The end of the year’s here, which means HR planning time again. Time for the same old problems to rear their ugly heads, HR having to change their plans at the last minute to react to business changes, drop last year’s priorities because they’re now out of date, build a new training programme from scratch, […]
‘Intelligent dressing’ for the party season?
‘The party season is almost on us and the question is, is your office party a social event or a career opportunity? And do you think about your visual impact?’ Consultant Mike Morrison explains the art of ‘intelligent dressing’. Some of us plan what we are going to wear for impact in the workplace – […]
Colborn’s corner: Keeping fit
Whilst employers clearly have to abide by the law, how far should they go in protecting the wellbeing of their employees? Quentin asks whether it’s really the company’s responsibility. Leaving aside what needs to be done for the sake of legislation, how much should employers care for the health of their employees? One view is […]
HR tip: Resignations and references
These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Q: "A poorly performing employee has offered to resign if we give him a good reference. Would it be safe to do this?" A: This would be dangerous. If you provide a reference you […]
