How Did I Get Here? Tom Russell, Director of Strategic Resourcing and Reward, Cancer Research UK
Tom Russell, Director of Strategic Resourcing and Reward at Cancer Research UK, discusses his role leading the organization’s talent attraction and retention strategy, the evolving perception of HR, and why the charity is an exceptional workplace for scientists, fundraisers, and diverse professionals united by a meaningful mission.
Flexible benefits: The self-service way … continued
Flexible benefits schemes allow employees to customize their rewards packages while employers maintain duty of care through core benefit requirements. Mills & Reeve’s approach includes mandatory pension contributions and minimum coverage levels for insurance, ensuring responsible employee protection.
Flexible benefits: The self-service way
Flexible benefits systems allow HR departments to streamline employee rewards through self-service platforms. Mills & Reeve implemented a secure online portal enabling staff to customize benefits, view total reward statements, and adjust coverage levels at their convenience.
Employee benefits: The ‘third’ way
Voluntary benefits give employees choice and flexibility in their compensation packages. Norwich Union uses a two-part approach combining government-supported benefits like childcare vouchers with discounted company products and third-party partnerships to enhance employee value and retention.
Pensions Q&A: Lis Browning, Group Pensions Manager Woolworths
Lis Browning, Group Pensions Manager at Woolworths, discusses how the retailer is responding to the Turner report recommendations and shares insights on managing pensions during organizational changes, including demergers, restructuring, and TUPE transactions.
Q&A: Getting to grips with the latest benefits trends
Malcolm Douglas, Remuneration and Benefits Manager at British American Tobacco, shares insights on integrating Total Reward Statements, Flexible Benefits, and Voluntary Benefits while keeping employment costs manageable. Learn how BAT approaches benefits strategy as a supporting business function rather than a direct productivity driver.
HR Zone Briefing #292 – A Solution To Depression
Employers are increasingly exploring ways to address workplace depression, with work-based rehabilitation emerging as a potential solution. As part of National Depression Week, this briefing examines strategies for tackling this often-hidden issue and its significant economic impact on UK organizations.
What’s the answer? Docking pay/paying late … continued
Under UK employment law, docking pay or delaying wages without written contract terms is unlawful. Employers must have explicit contractual authorization or employee written agreement to make deductions, and late payment constitutes breach of contract, potentially exposing them to unfair dismissal claims.
What’s the answer? Docking pay/paying late
Under UK employment law, employers cannot dock pay or delay wages without a contractual clause agreed to in writing beforehand. The Employment Rights Act 1996 requires either statutory authority, a pre-existing contract provision, or documented employee consent for any pay deduction.
Epic Learning Consultant selected for DTI US Global Mission
Alec Keith, Senior Learning Consultant at Epic Multimedia, has been selected by the DTI to participate in the ‘Beyond e-learning’ Global Watch mission to the US. The week-long visit will involve exchanging expertise on blended learning strategies, m-learning, games, and simulations with leading US institutions and experts.
Learning DNA
Epic Consulting introduces Learning DNA, a new methodology designed to help organizations develop modern learning strategies while demonstrating value and building learning culture. The approach uses six strategic workstreams—strategy, audit, blend, implement, evaluate, and improve—to strengthen organizational learning through structured, measurable frameworks.
PGC E-learning
Two Epic staff members are completing a Post-Graduate Certificate in e-learning from Sussex and Brighton Universities, part of the first cohort of this new program designed to address local skills shortages. The six-month course covers e-learning development, instructor-led training comparisons, and industry practices through collaboration with the Brighton e-learning Alliance.
Employee Benefits: Do rewards win respect? By Sarah Fletcher
Employee benefits alone don’t guarantee loyalty and respect. Expert insights reveal that while competitive perks matter, a strong company culture, meaningful work, and understanding employee motivations are equally essential for building a dynamic, driven team that lasts.
The top ten pitfalls of online performance management solutions
Online performance management systems can drive organizational improvements, but poorly implemented solutions often prioritize technology over actual performance needs. Key pitfalls include letting vendors oversell features, failing to communicate purpose clearly, overloading systems with unnecessary functionality, and neglecting meaningful manager-employee dialogue.
Depression: Working your way out of it
Depression costs the UK economy £23.1 billion annually, prompting employers to explore work-based rehabilitation solutions. The ‘Return to Work’ programme helps employees with depression return to work through structured support, counselling, and individualized plans developed with managers and healthcare providers.
Member’s Tip: Employee referral schemes
Employee referral schemes can be a valuable recruitment source, but require careful management to avoid discrimination issues and disputes. Key considerations include tracking referrals systematically, timing payments after a probation period, excluding candidates already submitted by agencies, and clarifying tax implications and eligibility rules.
News in Brief: DTI confirms illegality of rolled up holiday pay … continued
The DTI has confirmed that rolling up holiday pay is illegal. Employers must provide paid time off separately from regular wages to comply with UK employment law.
News in Brief: DTI confirms illegality of rolled up holiday pay
The UK Department of Trade and Industry has confirmed that rolled up holiday pay is illegal, requiring employers to renegotiate contracts and provide payment for statutory annual leave when employees actually take time off, following a European Court of Justice ruling.
HR Tip: Sex discrimination
Employers must not discourage job applicants based on gender, even if they would be the only man or woman in a workplace. Any hiring decision should be the candidate’s choice alone, and existing employees must be educated about preventing sexist behavior or comments, which constitutes illegal sex discrimination.
How Did I Get Here? Sue Schoormans, Managing Director, Complete People Management Ltd…continued
Sue Schoormans, Managing Director of Complete People Management, discusses the evolving role of HR professionals, from administrative functions to strategic business partners. She explores the challenges of redundancy decisions, board representation barriers, and the importance of seizing opportunities despite risks.
