NIACE highlights learning challenge of ageing population
A new policy discussion paper from the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) argues that a fresh approach is needed from policy makers, educational providers and workplaces to cope with the implications of a rapidly ageing population. The paper, Demography and Older Learners, states that over the next decade there will only be enough […]
How Did I Get Here? Martin Schmalenbach
Martin Schmalenbach was frustrated that seemingly ‘intelligent and experienced CEOs could manage to completely screw-up organisations’ so he joined the training profession to right some wrongs- review his career to date. 1. How did you come to work in training?By accident! I got my first degree in electrical and electronic engineering and spent the better […]
It’s official: public sector get more holiday
All workers are entitled to twenty days off per year regardless of their length of service but according to analysts IRS, public sector workers are enjoying more than their fair share.According to the study, public sector staff benefit by three or four days more holiday a year, on average, than those in the private sector […]
Ramsey under pressure at HRD 2005
Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey is set to offer his secrets on performing under pressure at this years Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) HRD 2005 Conference and Exhibition. The conference will have over 40 seminars linking case studies, interactive workshops, debates and speakers who include:* Kelly Holmes, double Olympic gold medallist on self-belief, tenacity […]
TUC push long hours ‘bossagram’
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has declared Friday, 25 February ‘Work Your Proper Hours’ day and are encouraging workers to send their boss a timely reminder to mark the occasion.Workers who wish to send the following message simply log onto the TUC’s website www.workyourproperhoursday.com and submit their manager’s email address: “Morning, Boss! Someone in your […]
FSB: Government has let employers down
The Government has let employers down by failing to provide a timetable for relieving them of the burden of paying working tax credits to their employees, according to the Federation of Small Businesses.The FSB complained that administering benefit payments such as tax credits and statutory maternity pay places a “huge burden” on small businesses which, […]
Managing adversity by Hans Blix
Former UN weapons inspector, Hans Blix is to share his wisdom on management and how to cope with unrealistic expectations at the forthcoming Human Resources Forum.Blix who is also an international law expert was famously once described as being ‘stuck being Iraq and a hard place,’ a reference made to the balancing act he had […]
Women pull up a pew as Synod paves way to equality
By 2010 the Church of England may witness the consecration of women bishops for the first time.The first steps were taken this week at the General Synod meeting in Westminster, with legislative procedures expected to start in July.Women were first accepted as priests in 1994 but obstacles have been put in their path preventing their […]
HR ‘job for life’ … is no longer
A job for life is now a thing of the past with over half of HR professionals now expecting to become ‘serial careerists’.These are the claims from recruitment and HR consultants, Hudson.According to their survey, most professionals working in the field expect it to be a short to medium-term career option. A huge 79% say […]
Editor’s Comment: Reward – the cash-cow
‘Boom not bust’ was the message for reward specialists at this year’s CIPD conference and the good times it seems are rolling; the war for talent has catapulted demand for experts in the field raising the roof on HR ‘reward’ earnings; Editor’s Comment prods at the rich pickings on offer. The ‘smell’ of success was […]
Revenue payroll testing upsets software suppliers
The Business Software Developers Association (BASDA) is writing to the Inland Revenue this week to voice concerns about testing and accreditiation of the agency’s Payroll Standard.The issue is growing in intensity, explained BASDA chief executive Dennis Keeling, because a new Web gateway will open on 6 April for companies to file their 2004/05 PAYE year-end […]
Public sector stage ‘pensions’ protest
Thousands of public sector workers are due to take part in a day of protests over pensions today.In 2002 the Government published its Pensions Green Paper which sought to raise retirement ages in the public sector from 60 to 65, and to increase the age at which people could take early retirement from 50 to […]
Tight-lipped Brits keep salary details private
Workers in the UK are the most reticent of all Europeans when it comes to divulging salary details. Stepstone recruitment firm claim that 42% of British workers would never discuss their earnings with colleagues. A mere 17% feel comfortable doing so.Attitudes in Germany are similar to those in the UK, with 43% preferring to keep […]
New pension rule may make firms look insolvent
UK businesses must take action now to avoid potentially dire consequences of accounting standard FRS 17, a firm of accountants has warned. Accountancy firm PKF warned that FRS17 ‘Retirement benefits’ obliges UK businesses within its scope to account for any surplus or deficit in a defined benefit pension scheme. “Until now,” PKF said, “these have […]
How to: Keep workers’ health records in line with Data Protection
Paul Avis from Employ-Mend discusses what is needed to comply with Part four of the Data Protection Act (1998); a particularly contentious aspect of workers’ health records. In December 2004 Part four of the Employment Practices Data Protection Code (Information about Workers’ Health) was launched to complete the clarification of employers’ obligations under Data Protection […]
Labour market at full capacity
Employment levels have reached their highest level since comparable records began in 1971.According to official labour market figures out today, the employment rate for people of working age was 74.9% for the three months ending in December 2004, an increase from 74.7% from the previous quarter. The last time the rate was higher was for […]
Businesses back staff development
More bosses are giving their support to staff development, according to a survey by employment law firm, Peninsula and financial recruitment specialists, Portfolio Payroll.Their survey of 856 employers revealed that: 79% offer their employees the opportunity to gain further qualifications compared to 64% in 2004 84% of these companies allow their employees time away from […]
Workers across the pond trust leaders more
Feelings towards senior management improve the closer to the Atlantic sentiment is tested.In Watson Wyatt’s ‘WorkUK’ and ‘WorkUSA’ surveys, it is revealed that while 51% of US workers have trust and confidence in the job being done by their organisations leaders a mere 31% of UK workers feel the same.Andrew Cocks, European head of employee […]
Case Study: Barclays scoop top rewards with HR shared service centre
Pre-millennium Barclays was formed by clusters of business units each with its own head office; when new CEO Matt Barrett announced tough financial targets in line with his value-based management philosophy, the decentralised and fragmented HR function was an obvious candidate for review. The challenge:Barclays Bank is one of the UK’s largest retail financial services […]
Olympic bid troubled by skills deficit
A survey by People 1st, the Sector Skills Council representing the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism sector suggests that 60% of industry believe more skilled workers are needed if the UK is to host the 2012 Olympic games.Many businesses back the bid; 73% of those surveyed believe it would boost tourism and 53% say it […]
