Recruiting ex-offenders. By Sarah Fletcher
A recent report from ex-offender charity NACRO reveals a widespread trend among UK businesses to dismiss or reject an applicant due to a criminal conviction. Is the employer’s decision to exclude ex-offenders from certain jobs determined in the best interests of the business or because the recruiter holds strong personal views about the crime? Where […]
Both parties aim to appeal £5m sexual orientation case
HSBC and Peter Lewis say they will both appeal against the findings of an employment tribunal in one of the first – and the biggest – cases to be brought under the 2003 sexual orientation regulations. Peter Lewis, former head of HSBC’s global equity trading, brought a £5 million lawsuit against the bank after he […]
Poor English skills means UK misses out on migrants’ skills
The UK economy could be missing out on the skills of thousands of migrants because of their lack of English language skills according to a new report.The report Learning and Skills Planning and provision for migrants from the accession states, by the Learning and Skills Network says the majority of migrants from the eight EU […]
Europe beats UK for flexible working
New research has poured cold water on the idea that the UK labour market has a competitive advantage by being more flexible than its European counterparts.On the contrary, only 48 per cent of UK organisations offer flexitime to their employees compared to 90 per cent in Germany, 94 per cent in Sweden and 92 per […]
Company of the week: The Penguin Group. By Annie Hayes
Annie Hayes spoke to Helena Peacock, Penguin’s HR Director about why their benefits make this publisher an employer of choice. *Benefits stats*Benefits offered: Pensions. Medical insurance. Holidays ranging from 25 to 30 days per annum. Enhanced maternity pay for those with at least one year’s service. Enhanced paternity and parental leave. Flexible working: including part-time, […]
Time to get IT switched on to data protection?
Almost half of senior IT decision makers admitting to being only vaguely familiar with the Data Protection Act, and 44 per cent of IT departments use live data to test systems, says a new survey by Compuware.The Data Protection Act forbids the use of customer data for any purpose other than the one for which […]
Workplace survey reveals improved employment relations
Working for an SME is getting better, a government survey reveals.The 2004 Workplace Employment Relations Survey (WERS) found significant changes in the workplace since the last survey was conducted in 1998. Employees in small companies were experiencing improved employment relations, more attention being to work-life balance and greater job quality.Highlights include: Fewer workplaces reporting grievances […]
What’s the answer? Notice of intention to resign
Liz Cullen gets legal guidance this week from Helen Badger, employment law expert at Browne Jacobson and Martin Brewer, a Partner with the employment team of Mills & Reeve on managing a verbal intention to resign that never materialises. The question:We have an underperforming employee who, back in February, informed us in writing of her […]
HR Zone Briefing #303 – Online Recruitment: A Perfect Match?
================================================================ HR Briefing Issue 303 – 6 July 2006 http://www.hrzone.co.uk ================================================================ ********************** Featured Sponsors *********************** Personnel Rewards Executive Summary http://www.hrzone.co.uk/redirects/croner17a.html Online recruitment methods – Free report http://www.hrzone.co.uk/redirects/executivesonline5a.html You and your money: Personal Finance in Context from the OU http://www.hrzone.co.uk/redirects/ou2a.html **************************************************************** Editor’s Note ============= Online job advertising is on the up – and not just for […]
Online recruitment: A perfect match? By Annie Hayes
E-hiring claims to do it all, whatever level or sector you’re aiming for. Annie Hayes investigates whether the perfect recruitment solution is online. The trends:According to the CIPD’s Recruitment, Retention and Turnover Survey released in June 2006, almost two thirds (64 percent) of organisations now use e-recruitment, with 75 percent reporting that they use their […]
Colborn’s Corner: Game, Set and Match?
Wimbledon is upon us once again and there is an interesting HR debate raging over the prizes awarded to men and women playing in the tournament. Quentin Colborn looks at the concept of equal pay, the role of HR in sport and what happens when a player becomes bigger then the game. I was interested […]
Annual learning at work day outshines expectations
Early indications are that the seventh annual Learning at Work Day was the best so far with more than 5,600 organisations taking part.Organisers the Campaign for Learning said that large corporations as well as small businesses showed their commitment to staff development and demonstrated the fun side of learning and the benefits it brings.Many organisations […]
New legislation to change fixed-term contracts
From Monday the final provisions of the Fixed Term Employees Regulations come into force.Any worker who has been with the company since 10 July 2002 and has had a fixed-term contract renewed will be automatically considered to be on a permanent contract.The employee has the right to request, in writing, a statement from the employer […]
Proskills embarks on UK-wide consultation
The sector skills council Proskills has embarked on a UK-wide consultation with employers to help shape the future of the area it represents: paint & coatings, extractives, glass, building products and printing.Information it gathers on skills provision and funding will form the basis of the Sector Skills Agreement (SSA), the collaborative action plan formed between […]
Off the record: Email monitoring and sexual harassment
Can my organisation be liable for sexual harassment when lewd jokes are sent around the office by text message or e-mail? Yes. You may be liable for sexual harassment committed by one of your employees in the course of their employment. This can include circumstances where an employee circulates lewd jokes or pictures by text […]
Age discrimination already spells trouble for government
They’re not due to come into force until October 1 but the new age discrimination regulations have already landed the Government in trouble.The retirement group Heyday, which is backed by Age Concern, is taking the Government to court over provisions in the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations (2006).Heyday is requesting a judicial review over mandatory retirement […]
Tackling stress: the 21st Century industrial disease
Stress has replaced industrial injuries as the top reason for workers being off long-term sick.Mental disorders now make up 40 per cent of incapacity benefit claims, compared to just 16 per cent in 1988. Women are increasingly affected, with claims rising from 27 per cent of the total in 1988 to 41 per cent today.With […]
HR Tip: Instant dismissal
These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Question: “When can we instantly dismiss someone?” HR Tip: Hardly ever. For the worst kind of offence you can dismiss without notice but before doing so you must thoroughly investigate and then conduct […]
HR Zone Members Newswire #157 – Retirement and Age Discrimination
================================================================ HR Zone Members Newswire Issue 157 04 July 2006 www.hrzone.co.uk ================================================================ ********************** Featured Sponsors *********************** Next generation on-demand HR software solutions – Free White Paper http://www.hrzone.co.uk/redirects/octopus15a.htmlRequest for Carer’s Leave form from CRONER-i Human Resources http://www.hrzone.co.uk/redirects/croner16a.htmlDebenhams – Styling the nation! http://www.hrzone.co.uk/redirects/debenhams6a.html**************************************************************** Editor’s note ============= Age discrimination regulations have been a topic of hot debate, once […]
Legislation still key driver for diversity
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development’s (CIPD) Diversity in Business report reveals that legislation is still the top driver for improving diversity in the workplace.More than two-thirds of organisations cited legislation as a key driver towards equality. Other factors included: Recruiting and retaining the best talent – 64 per cent Corporate social responsibility – […]
