Editor’s Comment: The new rules of engagement
Modern employment has become a transactional, commodity-driven marketplace where worker loyalty mirrors customer fickleness and long-term career stability is obsolete. As companies continuously downsize and outsource, employees hop between jobs while employers remain indifferent, creating a disposable workforce trading identity for corporate survival.
London 2012 – The HR Olympic Challenge
London’s 2012 Olympic Games are expected to create 34,000 permanent jobs and 15,000 construction positions, presenting major HR challenges for retailers, hospitality, and construction sectors. Staff retention, skills gaps, and efficient recruitment will be critical as businesses compete for talent amid increased job opportunities across the economy.
What’s the answer? Holiday Pay and the WTD
Holiday pay forfeiture upon dismissal for gross misconduct may be permissible for contractual entitlements but is more complex for statutory leave. Under the Working Time Directive, employers cannot withhold all accrued statutory holiday pay, though reduced payments may be contractually agreed in relevant circumstances.
Colborn’s Corner – Compensation culture or fair treatment?
Quentin Colborn examines when pragmatism should override strict HR procedures in employment disputes. He argues that while genuine wrongs deserve compensation, distinguishing between legitimate claims and frivolous ones requires a balanced, case-by-case approach rather than automatic legal action.
HR Practitioner’s Diary: Striking a balance
Work-life balance extends beyond childcare to encompass diverse life circumstances including caring for elderly parents, sick pets, and personal pursuits. Effective workplace policies should be inclusive and gender-neutral, recognizing that all employees face competing demands at different life stages, not just working parents.
Coaching: The rough guide
Executive coaching helps senior managers and directors solve problems and achieve goals through guided conversations rather than direct advice. Evidence shows effective coaching delivers tangible benefits to individuals and organizations, including improved bottom-line results when properly managed.
People Due Diligence – The exception, not the rule?
People due diligence remains uncommon in mergers and acquisitions despite research showing it’s critical to success. M&A failures reach 75%, with people and cultural issues as the primary cause, leading to talent loss, productivity declines, and customer defection.
Opinion: Ringing up HR woes
Mobile phones have transformed workplace communication, but the younger generation’s casual approach to timekeeping and professional habits threatens business efficiency. Experts warn that texting culture and last-minute plan changes are eroding fundamental workplace discipline.
HR Tip: New recruit fails to show
When a new recruit fails to appear for their start date, employers have legal recourse for breach of contract but pursuing damages often costs more than recovery. The practical solution is to focus on recruiting a replacement rather than litigation.
Full range leadership development
Explore how leadership development has evolved from trait-based models to situational leadership, examining what truly develops leaders and how organizations can measure success in building high-performing teams.
How Did I Get Here? Lynne Griffin, Personnel Director, Northern Rock plc
Lynne Griffin, Personnel Director at Northern Rock plc, discusses her strategic HR role and the skills modern HR professionals need to succeed. She explains how the company attracts talent through best practice HR policies and a superior workplace environment, while emphasizing that HR must align with business objectives and understand legislative requirements.
Editor’s Comment: Feeling a little off colour?
Workers are rejecting shabby, cramped offices in favor of well-designed spaces that boost morale and productivity. Research shows that poor workplace conditions deter talent and clients, with inadequate lighting, overcrowding, and ventilation topping employees’ complaints.
News in Brief: The week in HR
Absence management tops HR concerns this week, with 60% of professionals ranking it as their primary worry, yet one in five admit they don’t understand its true cost to their business. Additional stories highlight UK undervaluation of vocational skills and managers struggling to disconnect during holidays.
HR Practitioner’s Diary: CheckMate!
An HR manager must untangle multiple job offer mistakes made by an overenthusiastic CEO, including incorrect compensation details, pension terms, and reporting structure confusion. Sue Kingston works to resolve six major discrepancies before the new hire starts, demonstrating the importance of HR involvement in employment negotiations.
What’s the answer? Change from full-time to part-time
An employment law expert addresses how to manage a full-time to part-time contract transition when conflicting agreements create confusion. The case examines verbal versus written agreements and their legal implications when contract terms change multiple times.
Mind the Gap: Beating the CV fraudsters
CV fraud costs UK businesses millions annually, with 7.5 million admitting to lying on applications. Verifile offers automated verification services to check qualifications, employment history, and references, helping employers reduce hiring risks and administrative burden while ensuring they recruit honest, qualified candidates.
Health Quiz: Test yourself!
Test your knowledge of UK employment law and health data protection. This quiz covers employers’ legal obligations when processing employees’ health information under the Data Protection Act, including what information can be collected, when medical examinations are permissible, and best practices for handling sensitive employee health records.
Member wire #108 – Breaking trust – maternity ‘poor’ practice
An employee loses maternity leave protections after her company closes and relocates, raising questions about employer responsibilities and potential unfair dismissal claims in poor maternity practice cases.
CSR and beyond: Damage limitation
Corporate social responsibility extends beyond philanthropy to include fair contracts, data protection, and intellectual property safeguarding in customer relationships. HR professionals play a critical role in preventing employee misconduct that could damage brand reputation and customer trust.
Opinion: The hidden costs of ‘sheep dip’ training
One-size-fits-all “sheep dip” training wastes resources and demotivates new employees. Instead, organizations can use objective assessments from recruitment to identify specific development needs and create personalized training plans, enabling better career management and talent retention.
