HR Zone Briefing #299 – Employee benefits, what’s the point?
================================================================ HR Briefing Issue 299 – 8 June 2006 http://www.hrzone.co.uk ================================================================ *********************** Featured Sponsors ********************** Let technology transform your people management processes http://www.hrzone.co.uk/redirects/cipd7a.html Human asset management – Free white paper http://www.hrzone.co.uk/redirects/cedar1a.html Avoid the mistakes of installing the wrong HR software package http://www.hrzone.co.uk/redirects/carval3a.html **************************************************************** Editor’s Note ============= As companies increasingly focus upon incentive schemes to attract […]
What’s the answer? Pregnancy during a fixed term contract
Genevieve Touzin gets legal guidance this week from Martin Brewer, a Partner with the employment team of Mills & Reeve, and Sarah Bird, employment law expert at Browne Jacobson, on pregnancy rights for those on fixed-term contracts. The question:I have just recruited a new member of staff on a fixed term contract of three months. […]
Colborn’s Corner: Equality in HR?
The confirmation that 70% of CIPD members are female raises interesting questions about equality within HR. This week Quentin takes a sideways look at equality within the profession and asks if we do indeed practice what we preach. As I approach this topic I have to confess to a degree of bias after all I […]
HR Software Show – Exclusive preview
The CIPD’s annual HR Software Show takes place at London Olympia on 21-22 June. If the time has come for you to consider automating your processes or upgrading your current systems, the event draws together more than 50 suppliers ranging from fully integrated, web-based application suites to specialist tools for recruitment, time & attendance and […]
Training bonus
Organisations that employ under 50 people can now apply for the wage compensation programme of the Learning and Skills Council’s Train to Gain scheme.The Treasury has set aside £76 million over the next two years to fund the programme which will enable employers to reclaim the wages (minus deductions such as National Insurance) for employees […]
Survey reveals daytime drinking problem
A new survey reveals that one in six UK employees admits to being under the influence of alcohol while at work during the past six months and suggests that HR managers implement anti-alcohol policies.The survey, commissioned by commercial insurers Royal & Sun Alliance, sought to establish the effect in the workplace of last year’s introduction […]
Company of the week: Nationwide
Nationwide’s strapline is ‘Proud to be different’ and when it comes to benefits it certainly has lived up to its promise; offering flexibility and choice on top of the standard package. Annie Hayes spoke to Paul Bissell, Senior Reward Manager at Nationwide and the CIPD’s Vice President of Reward. *Benefits stats*Benefits offered: pensions healthcare holiday […]
Employee benefits – what’s the point? By Sarah Fletcher
As companies increasingly focus upon incentive schemes to attract and retain employees, one question underlines its business value – do benefits really work? Despite claims that rewards can secure and motivate key staff, poor implementation and research could mean these packages are ultimately an expensive way of wasting everyone’s time. Sarah Fletcher reports.HR risks making […]
The HR Zone guide to human resource management software (2006)
It has taken a while, but somewhere around the turn of the 21st century, the technology industry finally managed to coin a three-letter acronym (TLA) for the organisational function previously known as personnel. So it’s goodbye to plain old HR (human resources) and hello human capital management (HCM)This lack of definition is instructive. Unlike finance, […]
Off the record: The problem with references
Daniel Isaacs, principal in the employment team at City law firm Withers LLP, explains the legal issues surrounding employee references. Although it is not widely known, there is absolutely no obligation under English law to provide an employee with a reference. That said, it would be highly unusual to refuse to do so.As with all […]
Chancellor calls for local pay deals
As part of the country’s approach to globalisation, Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown has told business leaders that there should be more flexibility in pay negotiations through local or regional deals.During the speech at the CBI president’s dinner, he also said that he wanted to limit public sector pay increases for the next two […]
Are you making the most of your temps?
UK businesses are failing to make the most of temporary staff according to a new survey by recruitment consultants Angela Mortimer plc.The survey of 100 temps and 100 organisations revealed that a whopping 88 per cent of temporary workers felt the organisations employing them were failing to use their skills fully.And more than 60 per […]
Stats show public sector most affected by strikes
Office of National Statistics figures reveal that the public sector lost more working days due to strikes than the private sector last year but the private sector had a greater number of disputes.Overall the public sector accounted for 63 per cent of working days lost through industrial action last year due to the greater numbers […]
Member’s tip: Employing internal recruitment specialists
Peter Duckitt sets out the business advantages of employing an internal recruitment specialist. There are the following potential advantages: Cost savings: If you are spending a lot of money on agencies or if sifting through CVs and interviewing is taking up too much management time. Consistency and quality: Are all your managers trained to recruit […]
HR Tip: Payment during suspension
These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Q: “There was a fight so we sent the two combatants home to cool off and to give us chance to interview witnesses. Should we have paid them?” A: Yes, they remain your employees […]
Stalemate on Working Time Directive opt-out
Ministers from across Europe failed to reach agreement yesterday on whether countries taking advantage of the Working Time Directive’s opt-out clause can continue to do so after 2010.Negotiating time has now run out under the Austrian presidency, so the issue has been shelved until Finland takes over the presidency in July.
TUC urges better conditions for temps
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has called on the government to persuade the EU to resurrect the Agency Workers’ Directive which aims to provide temporary workers with better working conditions. It also says that, in the meantime, domestic legislation to protect temps should be introduced.According to a new survey by the TUC 87 per cent […]
Europe to highlight equal opps in 2007
The EU has announced that 2007 will be designated the ‘European Year of Equal Opportunities for All’.A budget of €15 million has been set aside for an information campaign and activities to promote the four themes of: rights, representation, recognition and respect.The 2007 European year will focus on discrimination linked to gender, race or ethnic […]
Breaking News
To go directly to the story click on the link below: TUC urges better conditions for temps Stalemate on Working Time Directive opt-out Europe to highlight equal opps in 2007 TUC urges better conditions for temps The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has called on the government to persuade the EU to resurrect the Agency Workers’ […]
Opinion: preparing for age equality regulations
Training consultant and project manager John Allan explains what business must do to prepare for the incoming age discrimination legislation. Back in January this year, I responded to the piece HR Radar: How are you handling age discrimination laws? with some thoughts on how to prepare for the age discrimination regulations. This described an awareness […]
