Dispute resolution regulations under the microscope
The Department of Trade and Industry is considering revising dispute resolution regulations introduced two years ago, which employers and employees find too complex. The regulations, aimed at reducing employment tribunal cases, have instead seen cases rise. A formal consultation on potential changes is expected next year.
Spare us the jargon!
Over half of UK employees view management jargon like “think outside the box” as problematic, with 39 percent believing it signals a lack of confidence. Research shows jargon creates barriers between managers and teams, causing misunderstanding and mistrust, yet 60 percent of workers prefer workplaces with no jargon at all.
November news in brief
Acas has launched a free online learning tool focused on sexual orientation and gender reassignment to help organizations assess and address diversity issues in the workplace, recognizing that workforce demographics are rapidly changing.
Falls all round for health and safety figures
Health and safety figures for 2005/6 show significant declines in prosecutions and enforcement actions, yet fatal injuries fell 5 percent and major injuries dropped 7 percent. Working days lost due to workplace injury and ill health decreased to 30 million from 40 million in 2000/1, though concerns remain about reduced inspector visits and enforcement resources.
Corporate manslaughter: check your insurance lawyers advise
Companies should review their liability insurance before the corporate manslaughter bill becomes law, as lawyers warn it will increase financial risks through potentially unlimited fines and significant legal costs. The legislation makes it easier to prosecute companies for management failures that breach duty of care, and some existing policies may not adequately cover defense costs.
How far will workplace monitoring go?
Workplace monitoring has expanded beyond traditional surveillance to include email and internet tracking, with RFID chips, biometric tests, and health profiling projected to become commonplace by 2016. The Information Commissioner warns that unchecked surveillance fosters suspicion and can lead to employment discrimination based on perceived health risks.
Acas launches free online learning tool
Acas has launched a free online learning tool focused on sexual orientation and gender reassignment, designed to help organizations assess their position and address workplace diversity issues effectively.
Employees’ responsibilities: DTI guide launched
The Department of Trade and Industry has launched a comprehensive guide outlining employee rights and responsibilities for both employers and employees. The resource provides clear guidance on workplace obligations and is available for download on their official website.
Quality of life beats salary for four in ten
Nearly 40% of working Brits would accept lower pay for less stress and more free time, according to Prudential research. The survey found that three-fifths of the population would consider “lifeshifting”—relocating to cheaper areas or abroad—to improve their quality of life, with work-life balance becoming more important than salary.
Graduate salary drops behind employee average
Graduate starting salaries have risen 2.4% to £21,000, falling behind the overall employee wage growth of 3%. Despite increased demand, 40% of graduate employers report recruitment difficulties, and most believe age discrimination regulations will have minimal long-term impact.
Workplace bullies getting away with it
UK office bullies employ subtle tactics like power misuse, verbal insults, and career sabotage to intimidate colleagues, according to Chartered Management Institute research. The survey reveals that organizational change and ineffective employer action enable harassment, with two-thirds of respondents believing workplace bullying is increasingly common.
Ask the expert: Is asking for date of birth classed as age discrimination?
Employers can request date of birth during recruitment for legitimate business reasons such as ensuring legal working age and calculating minimum wage entitlements. However, legal experts caution that this information should not influence hiring decisions, and collecting it after a job offer is made may help prevent age discrimination claims.
The value of secondments. By Dan Martin
Secondments offer employees valuable career development and new skill opportunities while helping organizations strengthen their reputation as community-minded employers. HR leaders should establish clear policies and oversight to manage secondments effectively, whether internal transfers or external placements with charities and other organizations.
Colborn’s Corner – What did you say?
Employment contracts should be clear and readable for employees, not obscured by complex legal language. This column examines how HR professionals and solicitors often prioritize legal precision over comprehension, making important documents unnecessarily difficult to understand.
Graduate development programmes: Making it work
Discover how to design effective graduate development programmes that combine in-house training with external accreditation, strategic timing, and action learning sets. Learn best practices for program structure, integration, and completion that boost retention and help transition graduates into professional roles.
Trivial benefits. By Philip Fisher
UK tax law now allows employers to provide trivial benefits tax-free to employees, though the term “trivial” remains undefined in legislation. While Christmas gifts like wine bottles could save large organizations substantial sums, employers must still report these benefits on Forms P11D unless HM Revenue & Customs grants prior clearance to avoid penalties.
HR tip: Submitting grievances
Employees can submit formal grievances in any written form—letters, emails, memos, or even within other documents like resignation letters—not just on official company forms. Employers must handle all written complaints according to statutory grievance procedures and ensure managers recognize complaints regardless of format.
Workplace stress less of a worry than issues on the home front
A new survey shows that 68% of UK workers find domestic issues more stressful than workplace pressures, with financial worries topping stress triggers. However, workplace stress remains significant, with heavy workloads affecting 24% of employees, and employers have legal responsibilities to address it.
HR matters make up employers’ top ten burning issues
Employment law and HR complexity are driving employers’ concerns, with disciplinary issues, redundancy, and contracts of employment topping the list of helpline inquiries. An analysis of 24,000 calls to manufacturers’ organization EEF revealed the top ten workplace issues, with the top five accounting for nearly 60% of all enquiries.
Employers urged to let staff commute smart
Work Wise UK’s Commute Smart Day urges employers to adopt flexible working arrangements, staggered hours, and home working to reduce commuting burden, improve staff wellbeing, and lower road casualties during darker winter months.
