Record numbers in employment
UK employment has reached a record 29 million people for the first time, though the unemployment rate rose to 5.5 percent with 1.7 million jobless. Job vacancies stood at 608,100 during the quarter, with finance and business services showing the strongest growth.
Acas calls for earlier dispute resolution
Acas chairman Rita Donaghy urges employers and employees to resolve workplace disputes early through dialogue and mediation, warning that unresolved conflicts lead to costly tribunal cases, low morale, and absence.
Will the smoking ban make staff fuming mad? By Sarah Fletcher
The UK smoking ban coming in summer 2007 raises questions about employer responsibility and staff morale. While health concerns are clear, businesses face a balancing act between duty of care and accusations of overreach if smoking restrictions are perceived as controlling rather than supportive.
Colborn’s corner: should line managers review HR?
Line managers should have input into HR performance reviews, but HR must first establish clear success criteria aligned with business goals and communicate their value proposition to the organization. HR teams often isolate themselves and fail to collaboratively shape how they’re measured against organizational needs.
October news in brief: What makes a bad boss?
A global HR survey reveals the most common complaints about bad bosses, including micromanagement, arrogance, and inability to delegate. Employees prioritize trust, honesty, and integrity as the top qualities they want in leaders.
What makes a bad boss?
Bad bosses share common traits including micromanagement, arrogance, poor delegation, and difficulty building trust with employees. A global survey found that employees value leaders who demonstrate trust, honesty, integrity, and strong team-building skills.
Fake ‘sickies’ on the increase
Employee absenteeism is rising, with 84% of workers admitting to taking fake sick days in a recent survey. Most employers struggle to distinguish genuine illness from fraudulent absences, though 74% are increasingly disciplining staff for poor attendance.
Training beats pay rises for employee rewards
European companies plan to prioritize training and development over salary increases next year, with 58% investing more in employee development compared to just 16% boosting base pay. Organizations are shifting toward bonuses and non-cash rewards to maintain flexibility while addressing skills gaps and retaining talent.
Employment tribunal worry for firms
Employment tribunals rank as the second-biggest litigation concern for UK firms, behind regulatory proceedings. A new survey found 78 percent of UK businesses faced court action in the past year, up from 66 percent previously, with companies increasingly worried about labour and employment disputes.
Graduate assessment centres: Why, what and how?
Graduate assessment centres help organizations systematically evaluate graduates by measuring multiple competencies and cultural fit beyond traditional interviews. This comprehensive approach is particularly valuable when recruiting candidates with limited work experience, allowing employers to identify the most suitable candidates for development programs.
HR consultants – Help or hindrance? By Annie Hayes
HR consulting is a fast-growing industry worth £757 million in the UK, with organizations hiring external experts to handle strategic projects, drive change, and access specialized skills their internal teams lack. Companies across sectors—from financial services to public sector—use consultants for everything from performance management to organizational transformation.
Meetings: a waste of time?
Research shows 80% of UK workers believe most of their meetings are unnecessary and unproductive, wasting valuable time with unstructured agendas and no defined actions. Unproductive meetings cost businesses thousands annually, with experts recommending clear agendas, proper timing, and follow-up action plans to improve effectiveness.
Employers react to ‘decades out of date’ slur
Employers reject accusations of outdated practices, arguing they need more government support to manage staff with mental health issues. A Disability Rights Commission survey found two-thirds lack procedures for mental health management, hindering efforts to get incapacity benefit claimants back to work.
‘Clear business case’ for diverse workforce
A CIPD report reveals a clear business case for diverse workforces, including hiring disabled people, yet 40% of organizations lack disability policies. Employer misconceptions persist, with one-third deliberately excluding long-term sick or incapacity benefit claimants from recruitment.
HR Tip: Multiple sclerosis and DDA
Employees diagnosed with multiple sclerosis are protected under the Disability Discrimination Act immediately upon diagnosis, even if symptoms aren’t yet visible. Employers must begin planning accommodations as the condition develops.
Any Answers: Capability procedures – Avoiding the tribunal
Learn how to properly manage capability procedures to avoid constructive dismissal claims. Follow formal warning processes, document performance standards, and establish clear timescales and consequences to protect your dismissal decision if needed.
Only two weeks to implement pension rules, CBI warns
The CBI warns that firms face an unrealistic two-week deadline to implement revised age discrimination pension rules, if final regulations aren’t published until mid-November despite the December 1 implementation date. The organization argues companies need substantially more time to review arrangements and comply without facing discrimination charges.
What’s the answer: Indirect age discrimination
Employers who base salary and job decisions on length of service may face indirect age discrimination claims. UK employment law specialists explain whether seniority titles, incremental pay scales, and service-based benefits constitute unlawful age discrimination.
Northern Foods signs multi-union training deal
Northern Foods has signed a multi-union National Learning Agreement providing 20,000 employees across 36 sites access to training courses ranging from numeracy and literacy to languages and computer skills certifications.
Corporate manslaughter bill: changes proposed
The corporate manslaughter bill advanced through its second reading in Parliament this week, with proposed changes already emerging. Home Secretary John Reid agreed to reconsider the definition of management failure after unions and MPs criticized it as too narrow and pushed for stronger provisions including director disqualification.
