Briefing: Fostering line management capabilities
Line managers need training and support to confidently use HR policies and manage key responsibilities like recruitment, performance, and absence. HR professionals can build manager confidence by delivering engaging training, building strong relationships, involving managers in process design, and providing coaching for difficult conversations.
Age discrimination guidance updated
The Government’s Age Positive campaign has updated guidance on new age discrimination regulations taking effect October 1st. Retiring employees under 65 will be unlawful unless justified, while those 65 and over require six months’ notice and statutory procedures.
New dads cut short paternity leave
Nearly two-thirds of Britain’s new fathers are not taking their full statutory paternity leave, citing financial pressures, career concerns, and unsympathetic employers. Only 37 percent take the full two weeks off, while 48 percent cite financial reasons for returning to work early.
HR Zone Members Newswire #162 – Part-time Working: Do Businesses Benefit?
Explore whether part-time working benefits businesses beyond accommodating working mothers. HR Zone’s latest newswire features insights from industry directors on flexible working regulations and their practical business implications.
Part-time working: what’s the business benefit? By Annie Hayes
Part-time working, now offered by 97% of organisations, delivers significant business benefits including improved employee loyalty, reduced turnover, and enhanced recruitment. Employers also gain from increased productivity, better work-life balance outcomes, and in job-share arrangements, access to diverse perspectives and shared expertise.
HR Tip: Meaning of “reasonable”
A reasonable action is one that falls within the range of actions most employers would take in similar circumstances. When facing workplace decisions, consult unbiased managers or employers to determine whether your approach aligns with standard employer practice.
September news in brief: Remote working offers not taken up
Research shows only 45 percent of employees take advantage of remote working offers, with technology barriers and costs cited as key obstacles. Those who do work remotely value flexibility and shorter commutes.
Homosexuality makes a difference to pay
LSE research shows gay men earn 6% less than straight men and face higher unemployment, while lesbians earn 11% more than straight women. The study questions whether 2003 anti-discrimination legislation has effectively addressed workplace pay gaps.
Brits cite work-life balance as major challenge
A new survey reveals that 16% of British adults struggle with work-life balance as their biggest everyday challenge, with men reporting difficulty twice as often as women. The research also shows 35% of Brits feel stuck in a rut, and the average person rates their life achievements at just 3 out of 10.
New details of inter-regional unemployment
The Office of National Statistics has released its first report comparing unemployment rates across local authority areas, revealing that variations within regions can exceed differences between regions. London and the North West showed the widest gaps, with 7.2 percentage points separating highest and lowest local unemployment rates.
HR hits rock bottom in the boredom list
HR ranks in the middle of workplace boredom levels, with half of graduates in the field regularly bored at work, according to a new boredom index. Lack of challenge, underutilized skills, and repetitive tasks are the main culprits behind workplace tedium.
Women to wait 150 years for equal pay
At the current rate of progress, it will take 150 years for women to achieve equal pay with men, according to London School of Economics research. The gender pay gap has stalled after three decades of narrowing, with full-time working women earning 12% less than men after a decade in the workplace.
CBI launches human capital awards
The CBI and Microsoft have launched the Human Capital Awards to recognize organizations with innovative people management practices that drive business performance. With eight categories ranging from leadership development to service improvement, the awards are open to any organization demonstrating results-focused human capital strategies that benefit employees, businesses, and the UK economy.
HR change management: Followers or champions?
Effective change management is critical for project success, yet it’s often treated as an afterthought. Research shows that inadequate change management—encompassing communications, stakeholder engagement, training, and organizational readiness—is a primary reason business transformation and IT programs fail.
Record numbers seek Acas’ help
Employment law helpline Acas received record numbers of calls in 2005/6, with 908,553 inquiries about discipline, grievance, maternity, and redundancy issues. The organization also saw increased website traffic and a 25% rise in employment tribunal claims.
Dress down days increase productivity
Most employers relax dress codes during hot weather, with nearly 80 percent reporting increased productivity on dress-down days, according to a survey of over 500 UK businesses. The findings suggest that relaxed workplace attire contributes to employee comfort and work performance across various industries.
What’s the answer? Withdrawing a verbal offer of employment
A verbal job offer that’s been unconditionally accepted typically creates a binding contract. While an employer cannot normally withdraw such an offer, the lack of written evidence may weaken a prospective employee’s claim. However, withdrawing an offer could result in breach of contract liability and potential discrimination claims.
People planning for merger success
Sixty percent of mergers destroy rather than create value, with people management and employee behavior cited as the primary failure factor. Successful integration requires early planning of critical tasks, cultural alignment strategies, and proactive communication before the deal closes to avoid productivity loss and uncertainty.
Opinion: Successful change is all down to people
Seventy percent of change initiatives fail to achieve their goals, primarily due to poor leadership, weak project teams, and inadequate employee communication. Success depends on understanding your leadership style, assembling complementary team skills, and ensuring people are actively engaged throughout the change process.
Pay rises below inflation
New research shows average pay rises of 3% have fallen below inflation at 3.3% for the first time since 2005, with nearly half of employees receiving smaller increases than the previous year.
