‘Get serious’ about professional qualifications
The Chartered Institute of Marketing launched a ‘Get Serious’ campaign to promote continuing professional development (CPD) and professionally accredited qualifications among UK marketers. Research shows director-level marketers with CIM qualifications earn on average 8.5% more than non-qualified counterparts, highlighting the career and financial benefits of professional credentials.
Off the record: Will I be liable for discrimination and harassment in the workplace?
UK courts have established a zero-tolerance approach to workplace harassment and discrimination, holding managers personally liable alongside employers. Recent rulings confirm that managers who encourage discriminatory conduct or harassment can be ordered to pay compensation directly to victims, with employers potentially liable under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.
HR & payroll systems – state of the art in 2006. By John Stokdyk
In 2006, HR and payroll software suppliers faced a quiet year as regulatory activity slowed and the previous year’s online filing migration ended. Industry experts predict renewed demand in 2007 from upcoming regulatory changes and technology upgrades, though human capital management remains in early development.
Excuses, excuses … for failing to pay the National Minimum Wage
HMRC enforcement officers have compiled a list of the worst excuses employers gave for refusing to pay the National Minimum Wage, ranging from personal attacks on workers to claims that benefits or foreign wages offset pay obligations. The list highlights that while most employers comply, rogue employers continue to flout minimum wage laws.
The future’s female and 50 plus
Research shows women over 50 are most effective at managing flexible working arrangements, excelling at building trust with remote colleagues. As smarter working practices gain adoption, older female managers demonstrate greater acceptance of flexibility than younger counterparts and male peers.
Health plans pose age discrimination minefield
Employers must review health and benefit plans before October 1 to avoid age discrimination claims under new legislation. Private medical cover, income protection, and life insurance policies with age-based rules could trigger employment tribunal cases, particularly flexible benefit arrangements that charge employees differently by age.
Workplace bullies: Discriminatory Acts and employee harassment
A Deutsche Bank secretary won £817,000 in damages after a judge found the firm failed to protect her from workplace bullying by colleagues. The case highlights how companies can face costly tribunal claims and high court proceedings for failing to address harassment, discrimination, and bullying in the workplace.
True cost of worker absence ‘close to zero’
A Swansea University study challenges conventional estimates of worker absence costs, suggesting the true cost to British industry is close to zero—roughly £13 billion less than the CBI reports. The research accounts for prevention costs that other surveys ignore, finding that expenses for reducing absenteeism essentially offset lost productivity.
A third of employers have to teach basic skills
A CBI report reveals that a third of employers must provide training in basic writing and numeracy skills because staff lack these competencies from school. Around a fifth of employers report that non-graduate recruits have literacy or numeracy problems, affecting productivity and competitiveness compared to international rivals.
North/South divide splits hiring intentions
A significant north-south divide in UK recruitment intentions has emerged, with London and the east Midlands showing strong hiring plans at 49 percent, while northern regions lag at just one in three businesses planning to recruit. Private sector hiring significantly outpaces the public sector, which faces redundancies and lower pay growth.
HR Tip: Defining ‘theft’
Defining theft in workplace disciplinary policies can be legally complex. Employers should use broader language like “removing company property without permission” rather than “theft” to simplify enforcement and avoid disputes over intent.
HR Zone Members Newswire #165 – Should Holidays Be Compulsory?
Many UK workers fail to take their full holiday entitlement, raising concerns about stress, productivity, and legal compliance. This HR Zone members’ discussion explores whether mandatory holidays are necessary to address the nation’s below-average leave culture.
If we took a holiday… By Sarah Fletcher
Nearly a quarter of UK employees fail to take their entitled holiday days annually, risking work-related stress and injuries. The article explores whether encouraging time off is a business necessity and how organizations can balance operational demands with employee wellbeing.
Fatal accidents at work fall to a record low
Fatal workplace accidents in Great Britain reached a record low in 2005/2006, with 212 deaths compared to 223 the previous year. The fatality rate of 0.71 per 100,000 workers is the lowest on record and the best in Europe, though falls from height remain the leading cause of workplace deaths.
A third of workers say they could do better
Nearly a third of workers would replace their manager if they could, according to a YouGov poll for Investors in People. Poor communication was the top complaint, with managers failing to clearly set tasks and link roles to organizational goals.
Any Answers: Motivating remote workers
Managing remote workers requires planned, informal communication that goes beyond formal feedback. Managers must build in social interactions, focus on results over presence, and ensure regular face-to-face discussions to maintain engagement and team cohesion across distributed teams.
Allowances replace the company car in benefits package
Company car benefits are increasingly being replaced by cash allowances, with 60% of employers offering employees money instead of vehicles. According to research from Industrial Relations Services, car allowances typically range from £4,000 to £5,000 annually, allowing workers to choose and maintain their own vehicles.
‘A’ Level pass rate hits 96.6 per cent
A-level pass rates hit 96.6 percent for the 20th consecutive year, with A grades increasing to 24.1 percent of results. Despite improved academic outcomes, parents worry about employment prospects, while young people remain optimistic about career opportunities and vocational training options.
Unemployment and employment rates soar
UK employment has reached record levels at 28.94 million, yet unemployment has also risen to 1.68 million—a six-year high. The apparent paradox reflects population growth and fewer economically inactive people seeking work.
What’s the answer? Redundancy selection – Is LIFO legal?
Using LIFO as a sole redundancy selection criterion may constitute indirect age discrimination, as it disproportionately affects younger workers with shorter service. Employment law experts recommend using multiple selection criteria alongside length of service to mitigate legal risks and retain valuable staff.
