Off the record: Dealing with an office romance
UK employers cannot legally ban workplace romances, but they can address performance issues or conflicts of interest that arise from them. Employment law experts explain how to handle office relationships fairly while respecting employees’ privacy rights.
HR Tip: Refusing SSP
You can refuse to pay Statutory Sick Pay if you have investigated and interviewed the employee about suspected fraudulent self-certification. Provide written documentation of absence dates, SSP paid, and reasons for non-payment, allowing the employee to appeal through grievance procedures or seek Inland Revenue adjudication.
Company cars: Choice and taxation
Company car taxation treats most accessories the same as the car price itself, though some items like mobile phones, disabled equipment, and items under £100 are exempt. Employers can set guidelines on car options, but tax considerations rarely provide strong reinforcement for vehicle policies.
Life Coach at Large: Going round in circles with work/life balance … continued
Discover a practical wheel-based exercise for assessing your work-life balance across eight key life areas. Score satisfaction levels, define your roles, and compare time spent to importance to identify gaps and set meaningful goals for achieving greater fulfillment.
Life Coach at Large: Going round in circles with work/life balance
Life coach Emma Ranson Bellamy explores how to achieve true work/life balance by evaluating the roles you play and setting intentional goals for your personal life, not just your career. She argues that neglecting personal commitments like family time and self-care can lead to resentment and burnout, making a personal audit essential for sustainable wellbeing.
How Did I Get Here? Cathy Wilcher, HR Director, CFS…continued
CFS Executive HR Director Cathy Wilcher discusses whether HR can survive outsourcing, how the profession’s skill set has evolved since 1986, and why continuous learning is essential for HR career success.
How Did I Get Here? Cathy Wilcher, HR Director, CFS
Cathy Wilcher, former Abbey HR Director, joins CFS as HR Director and Executive Committee member. She discusses how strategic HR linked to business strategy, strong leadership, and four core people practices—attracting talent, providing vision, encouraging learning, and recognizing excellence—create competitive advantage and employer of choice status.
News in Brief: Motor-mouths lose out at interview … continued
Poor health significantly impacts UK workplace productivity, with over half of managers admitting to being unproductive for at least 20% of their working time due to illness. Research reveals 38% struggle to concentrate, yet most managers fail to report symptoms or implement adequate occupational health policies despite recognizing the importance of employee wellness.
News in Brief: Motor-mouths lose out at interview
Employers are increasingly turned off by overly talkative job candidates, according to new research. This week’s HR news roundup also covers the government’s further education White Paper emphasizing employer-focused skills training, industrial unrest at the Learning and Skills Council over planned job cuts, and findings on workplace web misuse.
Comment: The DC pensions risk … continued
Many employers lack adequate governance and monitoring of their defined contribution pension plans, failing to assess benefit adequacy or identify which workforce segments face the greatest risks. Successful DC management requires clear strategic objectives, regular performance measurement, and recognition that DC plans need active oversight to function effectively.
Comment: The DC pensions risk
Defined contribution pension schemes shift investment risk entirely to employees, but most lack the knowledge and resources to manage adequate retirement savings. Without proper support and strategies like automatic enrolment and higher contributions, employers risk facing workforce retention problems and union backlash when employees cannot afford to retire.
HR Happy, HR Horror
This week’s HR roundup celebrates left-handed men earning significantly more over their lifetimes and highlights new workplace noise protection regulations, while cautioning about the dangers of clock changes on road safety and crime rates.
CIPD qualification: Is it necessary?
CIPD qualification is increasingly preferred by HR employers but not strictly necessary. While it offers theoretical knowledge and more job opportunities, practical experience and industry background may be equally valuable, and the qualification requires significant time and cost investment.
What’s the answer? Confidentiality – Controlling the office gossip (continued)
Managing office gossip about confidential information requires reinforcing obligations through staff reminders and, if informal approaches fail, pursuing formal disciplinary action. Employers should follow proper procedures, issuing formal warnings for breaches while documenting concerns clearly.
What’s the answer? Confidentiality – Controlling the office gossip
Employers concerned about office gossip and confidentiality breaches should focus on disciplinary action rather than new agreements. Legal experts recommend reminding employees of existing confidentiality clauses and warning that further violations could result in written warnings or termination, following proper procedures.
CIPD qualification: Is it necessary? … continued
CIPD qualifications can be obtained through university-accredited courses or professional assessment of competence for experienced professionals. While CIPD membership provides a competitive advantage for HR careers, its necessity depends on individual experience level and career goals.
Colborn’s Corner: Budgeting for success? … continued
HR teams should proactively review employee benefits annually to ensure they align with business needs and maximize their value. Rather than waiting for management questions, scheduling a dedicated HR budget review helps identify which benefits deserve continued investment and how to communicate them effectively to employees.
Colborn’s Corner: Budgeting for success?
Gordon Brown’s recent budget reveals lessons for HR teams managing employee benefits. Tax-dependent benefits strategies risk vulnerability when tax regimes change, making it crucial to evaluate whether benefits provide genuine value beyond tax relief, while annual benefit reviews can help organizations identify which offerings truly support workforce priorities.
HRD 2006: Why go?
HRD 2006 is the largest and most influential learning and development conference, featuring keynote speakers like Sir Bob Geldof and expert sessions on coaching, leadership, and training trends. The event brings together professionals from across sectors to explore how organizations are evolving their approach to people development.
The Changing Role of the Trainer
Modern trainers must evolve from classroom instructors to collaborative learning facilitators who support knowledge development across the organization. Success now requires building relationships, influencing skills, and understanding business needs rather than relying solely on traditional training delivery methods.
