Young workers claim age discrimination too
Young workers under 25 experience workplace age discrimination at higher rates than older workers, with 14 percent reporting hindered career progression due to being perceived as too inexperienced. New research reveals employers must address discrimination affecting both young and older employees as new anti-age discrimination legislation takes effect.
Benefits: What’s the alternative? By Annie Hayes
As labour shortages intensify competition for talent, UK organisations are developing innovative benefits packages beyond traditional salaries. From performance-based bonuses aligned with business strategy to shifting pension costs to employees, companies are rethinking reward structures to attract and retain key staff.
No price for failure at Whitehall
Senior civil servants in Whitehall believe poor performance goes unaddressed and accountability is ineffective, according to research by the Institute for Public Policy Research. A survey found fewer than one in four officials across most departments believe poor performance is dealt with adequately, with the Treasury being the only exception at 32 percent.
Two thirds of top civil servants unqualified
Two-thirds of top civil servants lack professional qualifications, with only 2% holding HR credentials, according to Cabinet Office data revealed in a new Institute for Public Policy Research report. While the proportion of qualified senior officials rose from 28% in 2002 to 36% in 2004, experts argue the civil service needs fundamental reform to improve professional standards.
Are your employee benefits cost effective?
Employee benefits typically account for 20-30% of employer costs. Regular reviews can ensure your benefits packages deliver value to both the company and employees while helping attract and retain quality staff through flexible, cost-effective solutions.
HR Practitioner’s Diary: Feeling the heat
HR consultant Sue Kingston navigates workplace dress-code conflicts during a summer heatwave, sharing insights on managing staff welfare and the importance of approachable leadership when enforcing company policies.
Landmark judgment in disability sick pay case
An employment appeal tribunal ruled that employers are not required to provide full pay to disabled employees on long-term sick leave under the Disability Discrimination Act. The judgment found that standard sick pay policies offering reduced compensation after six months do not constitute unlawful discrimination or failure to make reasonable adjustments, provided economic reasons justify the reduction.
Psychometrics spotlight: The Benchmarks Questionnaire
Benchmarks is a 360-degree feedback questionnaire designed for middle and senior managers to assess leadership effectiveness. Based on Center for Creative Leadership research, it compares self-perceptions with feedback from peers, subordinates, and superiors to identify development areas and management strengths against organizational needs.
HR Zone Members Newswire #163 – Employee E-abuse: A Major Business Concern?
Explore whether employee email and internet use for personal purposes should be permitted in the workplace, and how HR managers can establish policies that balance organizational protection with fair treatment of employees.
Employee e-abuse: A major business concern? By Sarah Fletcher
Employee misuse of company email and internet poses significant business risks, including security threats, productivity loss, and potential legal liability. HR experts debate whether organizations should allow any personal use of workplace electronic resources or implement stricter policies to protect company systems and reputation.
HR Tip: Jury service
Employers cannot prevent employees from jury service or take detrimental action against them. While payment is optional, many employers continue wages reduced by juror allowances. Employers may request court postponement due to business impact, though this only delays the obligation.
TUC paves way for employee snooping
The TUC has launched workSMART’s “your company” database, enabling employees to access public information about their employers in one searchable tool. The database covers 7,000 companies and lets workers compare their pay to director salaries and company financial data.
EU signals way forward for discrimination against smokers
The EU confirmed that discrimination against smokers in employment is legal, as smoking is not protected under anti-discrimination laws covering race, disability, age, sexual orientation, or religion. The ruling emerged after an Irish company advertised a job position stating “smokers need not apply.”
Employers fail to take bullying at work seriously
A new survey reveals that 81% of employees have experienced workplace bullying, yet 77% believe their boss wouldn’t take complaints seriously. Despite the widespread problem, 87% of employers claim bullying doesn’t exist in their organizations, creating a significant gap between worker experiences and management perception.
Any Answers: Maternity leave and working for a second employer
Working for a second employer while on maternity leave involves complex legal considerations. Employees must follow regulations around compulsory leave periods and may need separate assessments of eligibility based on each job’s length of service and earnings. Employers should address potential conflicts through investigatory meetings rather than assumptions.
What’s the answer? Appearance as a selection criteria at interview
Employers can assess candidates’ appearance at interviews if they avoid discriminatory factors like age, disability, or religious dress. Expecting candidates to dress appropriately for their work environment and present themselves professionally is generally lawful, provided decisions are applied consistently and documented carefully.
Off the record: How do I deal with a flexible working request that I don’t wish to grant?
Employers can refuse flexible working requests on specific legal grounds, but must exercise caution to avoid sex discrimination claims. An employment lawyer explains the statutory framework and practical risks of refusal.
Colborn’s Corner: HR as Brand Managers
HR professionals can strengthen their employer brand by developing clear HR strategies and communicating them through recruitment advertising, community engagement, and positive interactions. In competitive talent markets, effective employer branding becomes a strategic advantage that HR teams must actively build and maintain.
Bullying in workplace costs bank £800,000
A High Court judge ordered Deutsche Bank to pay £817,000 to a former employee who suffered two nervous breakdowns due to a sustained bullying campaign by colleagues. The bank’s management failed to prevent the harassment despite the employee’s complaints, the judge found.
Pensions – what employers have to say
New research from the Department of Work and Pensions reveals employers’ views on proposed personal pension accounts. Findings show strong support for automatic enrolment and portable pension accounts, with most employers accepting the proposed contribution balance of four percent employee, three percent employer, and one percent state tax relief.
