Colborn’s Corner: Who’s a big bully?
Bullying remains a persistent workplace problem even in organizations with strict anti-bullying policies. This article examines how HR departments can effectively address bullying from senior leaders and questions whether management practices like appraisals have become tools for wielding power rather than genuine dialogue.
What’s the answer? Returning to work on lighter duties
Employers can offer lighter duties to employees recovering from injury, but cannot force acceptance without medical backing. Consult the employee’s GP about proposed duties, and if they agree the work is suitable, you may pursue disciplinary action if the employee refuses to return.
Sick of absence? Investing for wellbeing
Employers can maximize employee wellbeing and reduce absence costs by investing £250 in comprehensive healthcare benefits including cash plans, GP helplines, and income protection. This targeted approach addresses immediate health needs faster than NHS timelines while delivering measurable returns through reduced sick leave and improved retention.
Opinion: Trends in e-learning
E-learning in 2006 is evolving beyond static page-turning with key trends including mobile learning expansion, simpler LMS solutions for smaller organizations, and improved content management tools. Dr Jo Cheesman predicts hardware improvements and organizational changes will drive increasingly sophisticated software and content delivery worldwide.
Case Study: Carphone Warehouse takes recruitment online
Carphone Warehouse moved its recruitment process online to streamline candidate management and improve the hiring experience. The company implemented an e-recruitment system to replace paper-based applications, reducing processing time and enabling faster candidate responses while enhancing its employer brand.
Opinion: The red tape burden – where did it all go wrong?
Employment lawyer Peter Done blames politicians for Britain’s red tape burden, tracing it from 1970s industrial unrest through Conservative deregulation efforts to over 150 employment laws introduced by Labour since 1997, creating significant compliance challenges for employers.
HR Tip: New evidence following disciplinary sanction
When new evidence emerges after dismissal proving an employee’s innocence, employers who conducted proper investigation and disciplinary procedures have no legal obligation to rehire. However, best practice suggests offering re-engagement as a fair and ethical response.
Insight: Communication that speaks volumes
Effective internal communication requires choosing the right channels to deliver messages at appropriate times. Darren Briggs, Vodafone’s head of group internal communications, explains why organizations must be as strategic about employee messaging as they are with external brand communication.
HR Zone Members Newswire Issue 135 – application form Vs CV
HR Zone Members Newswire explores whether application forms or CVs are more effective in recruitment, with HR professionals debating the pros and cons of each approach. The newsletter also covers flexible working entitlements, job advertising requirements, office relocation, and maximizing training investments.
Briefing: Computer forensics for HR
Computer forensics enables HR departments to investigate suspected employee misconduct including internet abuse, data theft, and confidential information leaks. Unlike common misconceptions, deleted data can be recovered and used as admissible evidence in tribunals and courts when handled by trained professionals following proper protocols.
What can HR learn from: PR?
HR departments can learn from PR practices to prevent industrial disputes from escalating and damaging company reputation. Effective employee communication strategies, clear business messaging, and consistent dialogue with staff are essential to protect brand reputation and maintain employee morale during disagreements.
Case Study: HMV tops the training charts
HMV created a structured Continuous Development Plan to support its expansion of over 200 UK stores. The initiative, aligned with the Investors in People standard, increased critical knowledge by 20 percent within one year and improved stock management and customer service.
Editor’s Comment: Could do better?
Britain’s workforce struggles with basic literacy and numeracy skills, with 16 million workers having only level-one numeracy abilities equivalent to an 11-year-old’s. Despite billions spent on government training schemes, improvements remain minimal, contributing to the UK’s productivity lag and pushing employers toward offshoring jobs.
News in Brief: The Week in HR – HR puts Thursday brakes on
HR professionals report lowest productivity on Thursdays, with just 4% being productive that day, according to a Robert Half survey. The week in HR also covers research on the strategic link between training and profitability, showing that companies improving workforce skills report better productivity outcomes.
The Couch?! Gives your job to the baby
McDonald’s new policy allowing family members to swap shifts without management approval could catch on, but employment law experts warn of significant risks including inadequate training, complicated recruitment screening, and potential service quality issues.
HR & IT: A marriage made in heaven?
HR and IT departments must partner to implement mobile working solutions that improve work-life balance, employee satisfaction, and productivity. Technologies like BlackBerrys and laptops with wireless connectivity enable employees to work flexibly, manage workloads efficiently, and reduce stress while maintaining productivity outside the office.
Management development – The business imperative
Management development must be strategically aligned with business needs and owned by the board, not left solely to L&D departments. Effective evaluation requires measuring real workplace impact and behavioral change, not just participant satisfaction, to justify training as a business investment.
What’s the answer: Can they do that?
During an HR shared services transition involving a TUPE transfer, employees retain the right to apply directly to the outsourced consultancy despite employer restrictions. Employers cannot prevent job applications without valid restraint clauses, and disclosing employee application details may violate data protection laws.
Spotlight: The Turner report
The Turner report recommends reforming UK pensions through state pension reform, gradually raising retirement ages to 66 by 2030, and creating a National Pension Savings Scheme to encourage private savings. These changes aim to address the £57 billion annual retirement funding gap.
What can HR learn from: Employment Tribunals?
Employment Tribunals reveal critical lessons for HR professionals, particularly the importance of adhering to proper procedures and maintaining comprehensive documentation. HR must stand firm when advising managers about legal risks, especially in redundancy and misconduct cases, to protect the organization from costly settlements and reputational damage.
