Employers ‘sceptical’ about new parental rights
A joint KPMG and CIPD study finds many employers are skeptical about new parental rights under the Work and Families Act, with 64 percent concerned about paternity leave provisions and 57 percent worried about extended maternity pay, though attitudes toward flexible working requests are more positive.
Christmas benefits on the slide as manufacturing firms feel the squeeze
Manufacturing firms are scaling back Christmas benefits due to economic pressures and squeezed profit margins, according to preliminary CIPD research. Christmas party provision has dropped from 71% to 60%, while only 9% of employers now offer gifts like hampers or vouchers.
HR Tip: Behaviour outside work
Employers can typically only discipline employees for off-duty behavior if it seriously jeopardizes the company’s reputation, usually involving senior staff with public visibility, or occurs at company-sponsored events. Personal conduct at non-work venues generally falls outside the employer’s disciplinary scope.
Any Answers: Upward appraisals
Upward appraisals allow employees to assess their managers’ performance, but concerns about confidentiality and potential retaliation are valid. HR experts advise verifying the process is official company policy, ensuring anonymity, and using diplomatic language when providing feedback to protect yourself from misuse.
Does sick pay encourage sickies? By Sarah Fletcher
Whether sick pay encourages employees to take unnecessary time off remains debated. While some argue that full sick pay enables longer absences than needed, others contend that poor management and work environments are the real drivers of sickness absence.
Business ethics: Why bother?
Business ethics provide competitive advantages and set organizational standards, according to Philippa Foster Back, director of the Institute of Business Ethics. She emphasizes that ethical leadership, clear codes of conduct, and robust support mechanisms for reporting concerns are essential for modern workplaces with diverse employees.
Pensions bill due to be published
The government’s upcoming pensions bill will introduce personal accounts requiring automatic employee enrollment, but the Equal Opportunities Commission warns women could face pension shortfalls due to career breaks and caregiving responsibilities. The EOC calls for flexible contribution options to help workers make up savings during periods out of the workforce.
Free online absence management tool available
The HSE, Acas and CIPD have launched a free online absence management tool to help line managers tackle employee absence effectively. The resource covers short and long-term absence management, including policies, return-to-work interviews, and disability considerations, addressing a significant challenge for UK organisations.
Employees hazard too many guesses on speeding and drink driving
Research reveals that 55% of male employees admit to speeding while driving for work, and 10% of men have driven while potentially over the legal alcohol limit, putting employers at legal risk under health and safety regulations.
EU looks to modernise labour laws
The EU Commission launched a green paper to modernize labour laws, addressing the growing prevalence of non-traditional employment contracts like fixed-term, part-time, and freelance work. The initiative seeks to balance workplace flexibility with worker protections through a public consultation ending March 31.
Ask the expert: Compassionate leave
When an employee takes compassionate leave for a terminally ill relative, they typically aren’t entitled to pay unless your employment contracts specify otherwise. They won’t qualify for statutory sick pay unless they’re personally medically unfit for work. Employers should clarify their compassionate leave policy in writing to avoid setting unintended precedents.
£10m women in industry project
A £10 million government-backed project aims to open male-dominated industry careers to 10,000 women and school leavers. The two-year initiative offers training, mentoring, and support programs to help women progress into technical, supervisory, and managerial roles.
Age discrimination laws failing to bite
New research reveals significant gaps in age discrimination law enforcement, with 16% of HR managers acknowledging discriminatory practices in their organizations and 28% uncertain about leadership commitment to eliminating age bias at work.
Minimum wage complaints up 10%
Complaints about non-payment of the national minimum wage rose 10% in 2005/6, with investigations uncovering £3.3 million in unpaid wages across hospitality and hairdressing sectors.
Off the record: Background checks on new employees
Employers running background checks on new employees must understand their legal obligations under data protection law, including obtaining consent and only accessing necessary information. Immigration checks are mandatory to avoid criminal charges, while criminal record checks are restricted by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.
Benefit schemes and salary sacrifice. By Nichola Ross Martin
Salary sacrifice schemes allow employees to exchange part of their cash pay for tax-free non-cash benefits like flexible working, childcare vouchers, or pension contributions. These arrangements create flexible remuneration packages suitable for businesses of any size, letting employees tailor benefits to their individual needs and circumstances.
HR tip: Last in, first out redundancy selection
Last in, first out redundancy selection can be applied department-wide or across the entire organization, but must be applied consistently. However, this method may contravene age discrimination laws as it typically selects younger employees, making skills-based evaluation systems preferable.
Call centre staff suffering from acoustic shock
Call centre workers are increasingly suffering from acoustic shock—sudden loud noises through headsets causing headaches, tinnitus, and potentially permanent hearing damage. Despite over 700 compensated cases and 300 pending claims, most UK call centres lack adequate safety policies to protect employees.
Acas provides free guidance for coping with festive frivolity
Acas offers free guidance to help employers manage workplace festivities responsibly. The organization emphasizes that having clear policies and procedures in place year-round is essential for preventing party season incidents from escalating into serious workplace issues.
CBI brands skills system ‘dysfunctional’
The CBI has branded the UK’s national skills system “dysfunctional” and “irrelevant” to employers, warning it fails to meet workforce needs. The organization unveiled a four-point reform plan ahead of the Leitch Report, calling for government action to align £3 billion in public training funding with actual employer requirements and reduce the complexity of skills qualifications and advisory services.
