Q&A: Building a Coaching Culture
John Bailey from KPMG discusses why coaching is essential for organizational success, explaining how it provides personalized development to maximize employee effectiveness and career potential. He emphasizes that coaching should be accessible to everyone and integrated into broader learning strategies, while cautioning against low-quality practitioners that could damage the profession’s reputation.
Budget 2006: Live report
The 2006 Budget strengthened Britain’s economy with inflation at 2% and growth at 2.5%, while meeting fiscal rules through increased net public investment and falling net debt. The Chancellor announced measures supporting science, creative industries, energy efficiency, and working families, including a minimum wage increase to £5.35 and expanded child tax credits.
The big ‘pensions’ interview … continued
HR professionals can leverage competitive advantage from pension schemes through effective communication and presentation, even with modest contributions. Young workers balancing housing costs and other priorities should start with modest pension contributions, while cafeteria-style reward schemes require proper employee education and independent advice to be ethical.
The big ‘pensions’ interview
Adrian Boulding, Legal and General’s Pensions Strategy Director, discusses the impact of pension reforms including A-Day changes, the decline of final salary schemes, and how employers can rebuild trust through clear communication of pension benefits to employees.
The great debate: Will IT skills make people skills extinct?
While IT has transformed workplace communication through email and instant messaging, people skills remain essential. Rather than replacing face-to-face interaction, technology has created new communication challenges requiring updated interpersonal skills and workplace etiquette to prevent costly misunderstandings.
What happened next? Stubbing out smoking… continued. By Sarah Fletcher
Lucy Hibbert discusses her workplace smoking cessation initiative, including evaluation methods through feedback surveys and potential future wellness programs. Learn how she gathered support from NHS resources and community feedback to address smoking in her workplace.
What happened next? Stubbing out smoking. By Sarah Fletcher
A company launches a smoking cessation initiative after an HR manager seeks advice on supporting employees to quit. Working with the NHS, they plan presentations, potential on-site clinics, and nicotine replacement therapy sponsorship to create a healthier workplace.
Changes to the Benefit In Kind taxation of vans … continued
From April 2007, van drivers with private use faced a sixfold tax increase, making company cars a more attractive option. Employers and employees needed to reassess vehicle policies, as over 1,700 cars would be taxed less than vans under the new benefit in kind rules.
Changes to the Benefit In Kind taxation of vans
Changes to van Benefit In Kind taxation mean companies must enforce clear policies prohibiting private use to avoid increased tax charges. From April 2007, unrestricted van use will be taxed at £3,000 annually, with additional fuel charges applicable if private use is permitted.
Off the record: Transsexual employees … continued
Employers should establish clear policies and timelines with transsexual employees regarding medical procedures, name changes, facility usage, and workplace accommodations. It’s essential to update all records under data protection laws and ensure existing policies adequately cover equal opportunities, benefits, and harassment prevention.
Off the record: Transsexual employees
Employers must support transsexual employees undergoing gender reassignment with proper planning, consultation, and staff education. Key steps include discussing disclosure preferences, handling workplace transitions sensitively, and establishing clear policies against harassment to ensure legal compliance and inclusivity.
HR Tip: Return from maternity leave
Employees returning early from maternity leave must typically provide 28 days’ notice, though this requirement only applies if the employer issued written notification of the expected return date within 28 days of the pregnancy announcement. Employers who failed to provide this notice cannot enforce the notice period, allowing employees to return whenever they choose.
Gaynor’s Thoughts: Career breaks, sabbaticals and personal transformation … continued
Career breaks and sabbaticals offer significant benefits for personal growth and professional renewal. People report gaining clarity, improved listening skills, better work-life perspective, and renewed confidence during extended time away. Organizations that support these breaks help prevent burnout and maintain employee engagement and creativity.
Gaynor’s Thoughts: Career breaks, sabbaticals and personal transformation
Career breaks and sabbaticals offer extended time away from work, ranging from months to years, with the opportunity to return to employment afterward. These opportunities are increasingly common in creative industries and can lead to significant personal transformation, improved employee retention, and renewed creativity and motivation.
Life Coach at Large: Meeting … yourself … continued
Learn how to rank your personal values by importance and understand how they interact with each other. This self-awareness exercise helps you gain clarity about who you are, empowering more harmonious relationships and personal fulfillment.
Life Coach at Large: Meeting … yourself
Understanding your core values is essential to finding balance and improving relationships. This exploration helps reveal what drives your behavior, reduces stress, and clarifies why certain situations cause conflict. By identifying your eight core values and how they interact, you gain deeper self-awareness that strengthens both personal and professional connections.
How Did I Get Here? Anne Harley, HR Director, RSPB … continued
Anne Harley, HR Director of RSPB, shares insights on maintaining organizational culture through in-house HR services, the importance of treating people well, and her inspiration from figures like Charles Darwin and Desmond Tutu.
How Did I Get Here? Anne Harley, HR Director, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
Anne Harley, HR Director of the RSPB, discusses the strategic role of HR in conservation, how the function balances necessary processes with approachability, and why the organization’s people-focused culture makes it a great place to work.
News in Brief: Culture change biggest HR challenge … continued
Businesses are failing to accurately assess recruiter skills using scientific methods, with most firms not measuring candidate quality or applicant standards despite significant hiring costs. Meanwhile, construction attracts school leavers over other sectors, tax credits face fraud concerns, and high earners face marginal tax rates exceeding 57%.
News in Brief: Culture change biggest HR challenge
Culture change has emerged as the biggest HR challenge facing companies this year, according to new research from employee benefits provider Thomson’s Online Benefits, surpassing previous concerns about cost control and employment law compliance.
