Government investigates plight of ethnic minority women at work
The UK government is launching an investigation into workplace barriers facing ethnic minority women, particularly Muslim, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi women. Despite high educational achievement, these groups experience significantly lower employment rates—24 percent for Bangladeshi and Pakistani women compared to 70 percent average for all working-age women—and report discrimination, stereotyping, and exclusion from leadership roles.
Take a holistic approach to pensions, Government urged
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Development urges the government to adopt a holistic pensions approach, supporting a National Pensions Savings Scheme while recommending removal of the default retirement age, improved financial incentives, and better public communication about pension values and retirement planning.
Minimum wage – what are the true costs?
The British Retail Consortium claims the National Minimum Wage cost retailers £1.2 billion and led to 78,000 job losses, while the TUC disputes these figures, citing official data showing 23,000 new retail jobs created over two years and questioning whether wage increases are truly responsible for employment changes.
Opinion: Something old, something new – successful team building
Modern team building must balance individual choice with shared experiences, moving beyond forced outdoor activities to recognize how people learn best. Effective contemporary team development respects individual strengths while fostering collective responsibility and adaptability in increasingly diverse work environments.
What’s the answer? References in cases of gross misconduct
Employers have no legal obligation to provide references, but any reference given must be true, accurate, and fair. When an employee is dismissed for gross misconduct, providing only dates of employment is generally safe, though disclosing the dismissal reason may be necessary to avoid breaching duty of care to prospective employers.
Workers encouraged to take part in anti-bullying day
Ban Bullying at Work Day returns on 7 November with a minute of reflection at 10am, aiming to engage a million workers in raising awareness about workplace bullying. One in four adults has experienced bullying in the past five years, making it the leading cause of stress-related illness and top employee complaint.
Executive pay faces radical overhaul
KPMG research shows executive pay faces radical overhaul as many executives approach maximum allowable compensation levels. The firm predicts big companies will increasingly adopt tailored pay packages with stronger links between executive remuneration and business performance and strategy.
What price the 24-hour work culture?
A new study finds that 90% of dual-income families have at least one parent working unsocial hours outside standard 8am-7pm weekday schedules, raising concerns about lost family time and child well-being.
Employee fined for ignoring safety warnings
A 19-year-old security guard was fined £260 after ignoring safety warnings and operating a forklift truck without training, causing a delivery driver to suffer serious injuries including a fractured pelvis and spinal damage.
The promises and perils of talent management software
Talent management software helps companies reduce recruitment, training, and administrative costs while improving employee performance tracking. With potential savings of 10% on staffing expenses, organizations like Blockbuster and Dow Chemicals have achieved significant financial benefits, though success depends on selecting the right solution for specific business needs.
Colborn’s Corner: Legislation – HR’s friend or foe?
Employment legislation presents both challenges and opportunities for HR professionals. This analysis examines whether new laws like age discrimination regulations are genuinely beneficial or create unnecessary complexity, and considers how legislation disproportionately affects smaller businesses lacking dedicated HR support.
School unfairly dismissed disabled employee
A Brighton employment tribunal ruled that Ocklynge Junior School unfairly dismissed an IT technician on disability grounds, finding the school simultaneously recruited for an identical position and failed to consult or offer alternatives before dismissal.
Redundancies affected by pensions discrimination delay
The delay in implementing age discrimination pensions regulations is creating uncertainty for employers handling redundancies, as redundancy packages typically combine pension and non-pension benefits that must comply with new rules. Watson Wyatt warns companies may need to revisit terms offered in recent months or consider postponing redundancies until December to avoid temporary compliance issues.
Union demands changes to corporate manslaughter bill
Union Amicus is demanding stronger penalties in the Corporate Manslaughter Bill after a company received only a £200 fine following a worker’s death. The union argues that director imprisonment, rather than company fines, should be the standard penalty for health and safety failures resulting in death or serious injury.
HR Tip: Providing prescription spectacles
Employers must provide prescription glasses for screen workers if an optician prescribes them specifically for computer use. You’re only required to cover the cost of a basic pair, though you can offer cash equivalent instead.
Age discrimination: How have employers prepared? By Annie Hayes
As of October 1, 2006, UK employers must comply with new age discrimination laws covering all aspects of employment from recruitment to retirement. Leading companies like Ernst & Young and AstraZeneca have implemented consultative committees and revised policies to ensure compliance, including adopting competency-based recruitment to eliminate age-based hiring bias.
Any Answers: Breastfeeding at work
While no statutory requirement exists for employers to provide time for breastfeeding employees to express milk, refusing to accommodate this while allowing male employees time for childcare could constitute direct sex discrimination. Employees may request flexible working arrangements or variations to their hours as a potential solution.
Age discrimination laws don’t go far enough
New age discrimination laws protecting only workers under 65 are inadequate, according to Age Concern research showing 85% of people believe age discrimination should be fully illegal. The regulations still allow mandatory retirement at 65, with continuing work only a right to request.
Volunteering for a day keeps the doctor away
Research shows that employees who volunteer have lower sickness rates and feel healthier, with 42% of employers reporting reduced sick days. Survey findings reveal that 92% of employees prefer working for companies with volunteering programs, citing improved morale and productivity benefits.
Lessons from the Lebanon: HR’s role in an international crisis
The Lebanon evacuation demonstrates HR’s critical role in crisis management when companies must independently secure employee safety during international conflicts. International SOS successfully evacuated 345 staff by coordinating secure assembly points, logistics, medical support, and transportation to safety, highlighting the legal duty of care companies must exercise beyond relying on government efforts.
