Gaynor’s Thoughts: Complexity, anarchy and self–management … continued
Technically, my approach did not fit well with the way things were done but it was quietly acknowledged as rather clever. However, the industrial engineering fraternity openly condemned my close relationship with the workforce. It wasn’t my place to have such an intimate relationship with the workforce. A year and three more odd but rather […]
Gaynor’s Thoughts: Complexity, anarchy and self–management
Roy Gaynor, Managing Director of management consultants' training and support network, Navisys Academy explains how he implemented a successful and innovative bonus scheme within a factory and why he feels anarchy has a place in management methodology. I stumbled into HR management, starting out as an industrial engineer, concerned with how work was organised. Part […]
Off the record: Dealing with employees on long-term sick leave … continued
If it becomes necessary to dismiss an employee on long-term sick leave, the courts have urged employers to treat them with ‘sympathy, understanding and compassion’. Any decision must be made on up to date medical evidence with a proper prognosis. Full consideration, should be given to whether and when an employee will be able to […]
Off the record: Dealing with employees on long-term sick leave
Sick pay malingerers can be a real drag especially with cases that are dubious and over the long-term cause administrative headaches and a serious dent in productivity and the bottom line; Daniel Isaac, partner in the employment team, at City law firm Withers explains how to deal with ill-health. There are two types of employee […]
HR Tip: Open University course
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: “One of our employees has enrolled for the Open University and has asked if she can have time off to attend summer schools, which will be part of her course. Are we […]
HR Careers: The rough guide … continued
HR Zone Q8 How important is that HR workers become partners of the business?Robinson: Lots of HR functions are adopting a ‘business partner’ model, but there are also many that have not moved to this model, so the term ‘partner’ might be a bit misleading. However, if what you’re asking is whether HR needs to […]
HR Careers: The rough guide
Annie Hayes spoke exclusively to Vanessa Robinson, Adviser, Organisation and Resourcing at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development about how to make it in HR, the changing role of the HR professional and what kind of salary and perks can be expected. HR Zone Q1: What prospects are there for new CIPD graduates entering […]
Management annual bonus plans: Determining the best approach … continued
Performance calibration: determining the relationship between performance and rewardPerformance calibration refers to how performance measurement is linked to the reward opportunities and is the most challenging aspect of annual bonus design. It is a balancing act: on the one hand, if performance targets are set too low relative to the level of reward, management is […]
Management annual bonus plans: Determining the best approach
By Leena Beejadhur and Richard Lamptey, Mercer Human Resource Consulting An annual bonus plan is probably the most effective incentive tool available to companies for influencing management behaviour to deliver short-term business results. As the eventual payout is based on performance over one year or less, a properly designed plan will ensure executives are rewarded […]
How Did I Get Here? Laraine Levin, Head of HR, QA
Laraine Levin discusses HR as the guiding force behind business strategy, falling victim to unpopular managerial decisions and motivational musicals. 1. How strategic is your current role and what does it involve? There is a strong strategic element to my role and, as an important part of this, I work closely with our CEO to […]
Reviewer profile: Simon Johnson
Simon JohnsonSimon took a Masters in Human Resource Management and worked as HR manager for several training companies in the Midlands. He is now working for a regional training provider as their Information Systems Manager.His specialisations include Knowledge Management, Management Information Systems, Data Protection and IT Health and Safety. He is a Chartered Member of […]
How Did I Get Here continued…Laraine Levin, QA
Head of HR Laraine Levin talks value-added HR and why musicals can be a great motivator. 9. What are the key issues preventing HR professionals from getting a seat on the board? Working at the highest levels is about being in touch with the business as a whole. You need to be speaking in business-focused […]
News in Brief: Half of workers are constantly tired … continued
Training slash for learning disabilities, Tories claimThe government has cut skills training for adults with learning disabilities, according to the Conservative party. According to shadow education minister Maria Miller, New Labour were neglecting this area in favour of more vocational courses. “The government’s policy to focus further education funding on skills for life and Level […]
News in Brief: Half of workers are constantly tired
Catch up on the week in HR including National Working at Home day celebrated, lawyers look to Sweden for ‘ageist’ warning, skills race raises roof on lawyers’ wages, employers failing to engage with Unions over training and women work longer hours than men. W/C 1/5/06National Working at Home Day celebratedFriday, 5 May 2006 marks national […]
Remote working: Does it make business sense? By Sarah Fletcher
With 3.1 million UK employees now working from home, flexible working practices are increasingly commanding attention in employee benefits strategies. Work Wise UK is urging staff to work from home on Friday May 5, but does this make business sense? Sarah Fletcher investigates. Meg Munn MP, DTI Minister for Women and Equality, claims remote working […]
Book review: Hard facts, Dangerous half-truths and total nonsense
Title: Hard Facts, Dangerous Half-Truths and Total Nonsense: Profiting from Evidence-Based ManagementAuthors: Jeffrey Pfeffer and Robert I. SuttonPublisher: Harvard Business School Press, 2006ISBN: 1-59139-862-2Price: £16.99Reviewer: Simon JohnsonOn what basis do you make business-critical decisions? Following careful consideration of the evidence? Or on instinct, whether that be from the head or the gut? Meet two Stanford […]
Employment law briefing: Trade Union recognition
Peter Done, Managing Director of employment law firm, Peninsula explains the fundamentals of Trade Union recognition in plain english. An employer ‘recognises’ a trade union when there is an agreement that the trade union can negotiate with the employer on pay and other terms and conditions of employment on behalf of a group of workers […]
What’s the answer? Maternity cover is pregnant … continued
Martin Brewer, is a Partner with the employment team of Mills & ReeveUnfortunately you are in a difficult position with this. The fact is that you have an employee who will be taking maternity leave and she has rights under the relevant rule to leave and pay. The fact that she was employed as maternity […]
What’s the answer? Worker covering maternity leave is pregnant
Linda Hunt 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 how to deal with a succession of pregnant employees. The question:We have someone covering for an employee on maternity leave, they have only been here […]
Driving on company business: Employer responsibilities
Did you know that if an employee drives negligently or drives a defective vehicle whilst on company business then the employer could be liable for criminal or civil action, regardless of whether the employee is driving their own car, a company car or a hire car; read on for further guidance. Under Section 87 (2) […]
