Vox Pop: Does increased legislation justify the existence of the HR function?
HR professionals and business leaders debate whether employment legislation alone justifies the HR function. While compliance is important, experts argue that true HR value comes from attracting talent, boosting employee engagement, and driving organizational performance beyond legal requirements.
Market watch: The outsourcing game
HR outsourcing is evolving beyond single payroll services toward multi-process models, with the global HRO market projected to reach $33 billion by 2008. This shift enables companies to implement modern E-HR systems and transform HR departments into strategic business partners rather than administrative support functions.
Impact: Six months on from the dispute, grievance and dismissal procedures
Six months after statutory dismissal, disciplinary, and grievance procedures took effect in October 2004, Employment Tribunal claims have not decreased as intended. Early evidence suggests the formality of new procedures may actually encourage claims, as employees cite procedural errors for automatic unfair dismissal findings.
Opinion: Should HR consider the ‘Offshoring’ option?
HR leaders considering offshoring should weigh significant cost savings—labor in India and Eastern Europe costs up to five times less than the USA and UK—against challenges like job losses, service quality concerns, and stakeholder resistance. Success requires careful planning across seven key areas including stakeholder management and realistic expectation-setting.
How ‘friendly’ are family policies?
UK family-friendly policies introduced in April 2003 expanded maternity leave to 52 weeks, created paid paternity and adoption leave, and granted workers the right to request flexible working. Despite widespread awareness and demand for these rights, managers have resisted implementation due to cost concerns, with about 30% of small firms denying staff flexible working despite legal requirements.
I&C ‘how-to-comply’ guidance from Dr Stephen Hardy
Dr Stephen Hardy provides HR compliance guidance for the Information and Consultation of Employees Regulations 2004, outlining employer obligations to establish information and consultation structures. The regulations apply to businesses meeting employee thresholds (currently 50+ employees) and require formal procedures for negotiating ICE agreements or applying standard consultation provisions.
Identity crisis – contractors or employees?
Employment tribunals can find contractors to be employees based on factors including contract existence, mutual obligation, control, and personal service—regardless of how businesses initially classify the working relationship.
Stone speaks: Building female networks
Female workplace networks accelerate career advancement and drive cultural change by facilitating knowledge-sharing, skill development, and opportunity creation. Effective networks require clear objectives, senior leadership support, diverse ownership, and high-impact initiatives aligned with company values to ensure sustainable growth and business value.
Insight: Challenges for a super coach
Graham Alexander explores the unique challenges of executive coaching at the highest levels, where super coaches work exclusively with CEOs who need trusted confidants, strong personalities to match their own, and demonstrated business acumen to navigate complex organizational and personal pressures.
Return-to-work mothers ‘need more support’
Mothers returning to work after maternity leave face significant challenges including anxiety, guilt, and low confidence, according to a helpline company. Experts recommend employers implement phased returns, keep absent workers informed, and avoid overwhelming them with accumulated work to ease the transition back to the workplace.
And the winner of the ‘Beauty DIY disasters’ prize draw is …
Emma Crowe won HRZone’s Beauty DIY disasters prize draw and claimed a luxury manicure at The Spa in London. The contest invited members to share their most hilarious beauty mishaps, from hair dye disasters to eyebrow waxing gone wrong.
Member wire #96 – Secrets of HR success
Discover what it takes to succeed in HR through member insights on leadership, networking, workplace ethics, and employment law trends in this HR Zone members newswire roundup.
Payroll Tip: Employee contributions to accommodation
Employee contributions toward employer-provided living accommodation can reduce the reportable value of that accommodation, but only for calculating the additional charge when accommodation costs exceed £75,000. The reduction method depends on whether the employer owned the property for more than six years before the employee occupied it.
CSR and beyond: The pope, the EU and the Election
The election of Pope Benedict XVI (Cardinal Ratzinger) highlights a growing divide between the Catholic Church’s conservative stance on human rights and gender equality and the business community’s increasingly progressive anti-discrimination policies. Major corporations now support legislation protecting sexual orientation rights, contrasting sharply with the church’s traditional position.
Hot-desking is a turn off for workers
Hot-desking, where employees don’t have assigned desks, is damaging worker morale and productivity, according to recruitment experts. While businesses adopt the practice to reduce office costs, staff report feeling isolated and undervalued without stable workspaces and consistent team connections.
How to: Network successfully
Master networking skills by becoming visible, building genuine relationships, and maintaining a positive attitude. Learn how to increase your market reach, develop meaningful connections, and advance your career through strategic networking opportunities and effective communication techniques.
Key skills qualifications rise
Key Skills qualifications rose 23% last year with nearly 332,000 certificates awarded, primarily to 16 to 18-year-olds. Since their introduction four years ago, over 940,000 qualifications have been awarded across communication, IT, and numeracy.
Tempers fly as BA loses part-time working case
British Airways lost a tribunal case after refusing First Officer Jessica Starmer’s request to work part-time while caring for her young daughter. The airline claimed safety concerns and required 2,000 flying hours before allowing reduced hours, but Starmer had 1,100 hours when rejected. BA plans to appeal the tribunal’s decision.
Bosses police e-mail activity
UK businesses are increasingly restricting employee access to personal email accounts like Yahoo and Hotmail, with nearly two-thirds of organisations implementing controls. A survey reveals 46% have completely banned personal email access, while others allow it only during breaks, citing security risks and lost productivity.
Board members need more vetting
Organizations should strengthen their Board recruitment and vetting processes to ensure directors possess the ability to challenge, technical expertise, and cultural alignment. Proper induction, training, and performance management are essential for Board effectiveness and preventing domination by individual personalities.
