Editor’s Comment: Is HR in need of some counselling?
HR struggles with a credibility problem, with recent surveys showing 53% view it as reactive and 37% question its credibility. Experts suggest HR can improve its image by dropping jargon, communicating better with line management, and demonstrating tangible business value through clear metrics rather than industry-specific terminology.
News in Brief: The Week in HR – HR fails in quest to add value
Only 17% of non-HR professionals believe HR adds value to their business, according to new research. The study reveals HR is seen as reactive, lacking credibility and influence, with developing performance management culture emerging as the top challenge for organizations this year.
The Couch?! Asks: Is your boss a seagull?
A recruitment survey identified five types of UK managers: the Seagull, Diplomat, Invisible Manager, Hedgehog, and Gate Keeper. Each manager type displays distinct workplace behaviors, from the chaotic seagull who makes uninformed decisions to the absent invisible manager and the difficult hedgehog leader.
Comment: What do we need to change?
Peter Hunter examines why British Airways-style change management often fails, arguing that most improvement models neglect to explain how to create genuine ownership. Using the analogy of hire cars versus personal vehicles, he demonstrates how caring for something you own directly translates to measurable business value, and suggests understanding ownership is essential before implementing any change strategy.
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.
