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 […]
Survey exposes divisions between HR and payroll
Tensions between HR and payroll managers are affecting the operations of a fifth of UK businesses, according to HR software house Snowdrop.The study, which questioned 345 managers found, that 61% of payroll professionals thought HR did not provide accurate information and 54% said HR did not keep them in the loop. A third of the […]
Employment law: Overtime Q & A
See our quick fire Q&A with the experts on the legalities governing overtime. Q: Some of my staff work hours over and above their contractual requirements, as I do not specifically request that they work the hours am I obliged the pay them over time?A: This would be dependent upon their contractual terms and conditions […]
Class of 2006 – will they graduate?
University lecturers’ unions have rejected the latest pay offer of 13.1% over three years. In the worst-affected institutions the class of 2006 will not graduate. Some institutions have proposed allowing students to graduate by substituting course marks for examinations and others are to have scripts marked by one examiner rather than two. But will the […]
World cup fever: a nightmare for HR?
National flags are everywhere and Wayne Rooney’s broken metatarsal never seems to be out of the news – yes, World Cup fever strikes again.But for HR practitioners the World Cup could be a nightmare scenario. In fact, the potential problems are such that the conciliation and arbitration service ACAS has published a list of FAQs […]
Age discrimination: DTI factsheets
Age discrimination is set to come into force on October 1 this year – and if the experience in the Republic of Ireland is anything to go by it’s going to have a major impact.In the ROI age discrimination now accounts for nearly a fifth of all formal discrimination claims. To help you get ready […]
Company car survey reveals shock result
Eighteen percent of vehicles used on company business are unroadworthy, according to the latest Vehicle Monitor Survey carried out by vehicle management company Total Motion. It also found a further 35% were not properly maintained. The survey covered both company and privately owned vehicles used on company business.Surveyors also checked drivers and found that six […]
Talks on working time directive shelved
Talks to secure a new opt-out deal for Britain from the Working Time Directive have been shelved after ministers failed to agree on a solution.The EU Directive ensures a 48-hour working week – but in Britain workers are able to opt out and work longer if they wish. Britain wants to hang onto the deal […]
