£41k compensation in religious discrimination case
A Muslim hospital worker has won £41,300 compensation from West Herts Hospital Trust after an employment tribunal found he faced religious discrimination, harassment, and unfair dismissal during his five years at Mount Vernon Hospital.
HR Tip: Withdrawing notice
Employees can withdraw a resignation made in anger if done promptly, even if an employer believes the resignation was final. While employers may discipline for rudeness, they cannot force an employee to leave based on an impulsive resignation statement followed by immediate withdrawal and apology.
HR Zone Members Newswire #159 – Would You Hire An Ex-Criminal?
Explore HR perspectives on hiring individuals with spent convictions. This HR Zone Members Newswire discusses whether businesses can offer ex-criminals a clean slate, featuring insights from organizations like YMCA West London and Battersea Dogs Home.
Recruiting ex-offenders. By Sarah Fletcher
UK businesses often reject job applicants based on criminal convictions, but hiring ex-offenders isn’t automatically risky. Employment experts suggest a case-by-case approach, considering the crime’s relevance to the role while recognizing that many ex-offenders become productive employees.
Both parties aim to appeal £5m sexual orientation case
HSBC and former employee Peter Lewis are both appealing an employment tribunal’s decision in a £5 million sexual orientation discrimination case. The tribunal found HSBC’s initial investigation and suspension of Lewis were discriminatory, but upheld the bank’s decision to dismiss him for gross misconduct. Both parties now seek to appeal different aspects of the tribunal’s findings.
Poor English skills means UK misses out on migrants’ skills
UK migrants with strong qualifications struggle to find suitable employment due to poor English language skills, according to a new report. The Learning and Skills Network study reveals that barriers to language courses—including transport issues and seasonal work—prevent skilled workers from accessing training and matching jobs to their experience.
Europe beats UK for flexible working
Research reveals European countries significantly outpace the UK in flexible working practices. Only 48 percent of UK organizations offer flexitime compared to 90-94 percent in Germany, Sweden, and Finland, while telecommuting adoption lags at 20 percent versus 40-44 percent across Scandinavia.
Company of the week: The Penguin Group. By Annie Hayes
Penguin Group, a major publisher with around 900 UK employees, attracts talent through comprehensive benefits including flexible working, generous maternity and paternity leave, childcare support, and free books. HR Director Helena Peacock explains how these benefits align with employee needs, particularly for the 74% female workforce with family responsibilities.
Time to get IT switched on to data protection?
A new survey reveals nearly half of senior IT managers have only vague knowledge of the Data Protection Act, with 44% using live customer data for system testing. This practice risks severe data breaches, reputational damage, and regulatory penalties, highlighting the need for better training and secure testing procedures.
Workplace survey reveals improved employment relations
The 2004 Workplace Employment Relations Survey found improved conditions in SMEs, with employees reporting better work-life balance, higher job quality, and fewer grievances. Employers expanded flexible working arrangements and parental leave, though workers felt more improvements were needed.
What’s the answer? Notice of intention to resign
An employee who notified her employer in writing of her intention to resign six months ago still hasn’t left. Employment law experts discuss whether capability proceedings or alternative approaches are appropriate given her ongoing job search.
HR Zone Briefing #303 – Online Recruitment: A Perfect Match?
Online recruitment is growing rapidly across all job levels, with spend expected to triple to £500 million by 2009. This approach expands talent pools and reduces costs, but raises questions about whether e-recruitment truly delivers optimal hiring outcomes compared to traditional methods.
Online recruitment: A perfect match? By Annie Hayes
Online recruitment has become mainstream, with nearly two-thirds of organizations now using e-recruitment methods. While e-hiring offers significant cost savings and broader candidate reach across all sectors, questions remain about whether it truly serves as the perfect recruitment solution for every industry and job type.
Colborn’s Corner: Game, Set and Match?
Wimbledon’s equal pay debate raises questions about fairness in sports compensation. Quentin Colborn examines how organizations handle prize money differences, the distinction between self-employed athletes and employees, and situations where talented individuals receive special treatment over rule enforcement.
Annual learning at work day outshines expectations
Learning at Work Day achieved record participation with over 5,600 organisations taking part, showcasing creative workplace learning initiatives from major corporations and small businesses. The seventh annual event demonstrated how companies use training opportunities to engage employees in staff development through diverse activities ranging from fitness classes to language courses.
New legislation to change fixed-term contracts
New Fixed Term Employees Regulations take effect, automatically converting fixed-term contracts to permanent status for workers employed since July 2002 whose contracts have been renewed. Employers must provide written confirmation within 21 days or justify the continued temporary status with objective reasons.
Proskills embarks on UK-wide consultation
Proskills has launched a UK-wide consultation with employers across paint and coatings, extractives, glass, building products, and printing to develop a Sector Skills Agreement. The initiative aims to identify skills gaps and improve productivity in these industries through collaborative action between employers, government, and education providers.
Off the record: Email monitoring and sexual harassment
Organizations can be liable for sexual harassment conducted via email or text message, including lewd jokes and explicit content, even if unintended. Employers should implement clear anti-harassment policies, staff training, and proper complaint procedures to minimize legal risk and compensation claims.
Age discrimination already spells trouble for government
Heyday, an Age Concern-backed retirement group, is taking the UK Government to court over age discrimination regulations before they take effect October 1, challenging mandatory retirement provisions as incompatible with EU law.
Tackling stress: the 21st Century industrial disease
Stress has replaced industrial injuries as the leading cause of long-term work absences, with mental disorders now accounting for 40% of incapacity benefit claims. The UK government is reforming the system through an employment and support allowance, though mental health charities worry about forcing workers back before recovery is complete. Employers have legal duties to manage workplace stress through risk assessments and support measures.
