Quango review labels Investors in People ‘useless’
Investors in People, the national Standard which sets a level of good practice for training and development of people to achieve business goals has been branded a ‘useless’ quango.Dan Lewis, author of the Essential Guide to British Quangos 2005, said at least 111 of the non-departmental public bodies are a waste of public money. The […]
How Did I Get Here? Sally Gregory, VP Human Resources-Europe, National Car Rental
Being a biology teacher doesn’t usually lead to a career in HR but this is just what Sally Gregory did; with little personnel experience under her belt she knew she had to pull something out of the bag so she self-taught herself the basics with the aid of a ‘bluff-yourself-in’ guide: Personnel Made Simple’ the […]
HIV sufferers face workplace discrimination
A survey by Positive Futures, a partnership of HIV has revealed the shocking extent of discrimination in the workplace.According to the findings, 85% of managers believe that people living with the illness are regularly discriminated against.Other findings include: 40% felt people living with HIV should not be allowed to work as chefs 24% thought they […]
Editor’s Comment: Finding love in the concrete jungle
By Annie Hayes, HRZone EditorWhether you’re a ‘smug married’ or more ‘amorously challenged’ it’s hard to forget that on Monday we feast on the celebrations of love in the shape of St Valentine’s Day; two timely surveys out this week suggest that not only are we looking for romance at work but that we are […]
Softworld preview: Transforming HR to support the future needs of the business strategy
Bettina Pickering and Neil McEwen, Managing Consultants at PA Consulting Group will be speaking at the Softworld HR & Payroll seminar ‘Transforming HR to support the future needs of the business strategy’ at 9am on Wednesday 2 March. Here’s a snapshot of what they’ll be discussing … For more than a decade, major organisations in […]
EO scout for mentors
The Employers’ Organisation (EO) for local government is touting for senior managers to act as mentors for new trainees on the National Graduate Development Programme (NGDP).Mentors are called upon to assist trainees in achieving their full potential by ‘providing consistent business focused support and helping with post programme career plans.’According to the EO 140 chief […]
PCS attack government over public sector pensions
The Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) has attacked the government’s decision to raise the pensions age in the public sector from 60 to 65.Speaking today at a joint fringe meeting on the first day of Labour Spring Conference, general secretary Mark Serwotka will accuse the government of seeking confrontation in refusing to negotiate over […]
Case Study: Ford revs up staff development with e-learning
Ford Motor Company has rolled out an e-learning portfolio to its franchisees to help ensure consistency of training among a potential audience of 225,000 employees. BackgroundRecently celebrating its 100th anniversary, Ford Motor Company is one of the world’s leading consumer companies for automotive products and services. The company’s major brands include household names such as […]
Public sector culture drives talent away
Mounting bureaucracy and red tape is putting new recruits off from joining the public sector.This is the claim from recruitment and HR consultants, Hudson who reveal that 66% of public sector employees believe their own internal procedures are turning applicants away.Over a third (40%) agreed that that there is an oppressive culture of measuring and […]
Graduates hit the salary jackpot
Starting salaries for graduates are predicted to rise by 4.8% to an average of £22,000 in 2005, the biggest predicted increase for five years.First-jobbers will also have the pick of vacancies after two successive years witnessed a fall in the number of openings; in 2002 and 2003 employers cut their recruitment by 6.5% and 3.5% […]
Employees value on-the-job training above all else
Employees rate on-the-job learning more highly than more formalised training and qualifications, according to new research.A study by the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) in conjunction with the University of Leicester found that 90% of employees said they had picked up their skills on the job.Over half of employees felt that learning by […]
Blair rules out increase in top tax rate
Tony Blair appeared to rule out any increase in the top rate of income tax when he appeared before a committee of MPs yesterday.Labour MP Barry Sheerman asked the prime minister whether he agreed with the view of former speechwriter Peter Hyman, who had called for a top rate of 50% for the wealthy.Blair replied: […]
CBI spread fear of ‘redundancy’ reform
Employers’ organisation the CBI are said to be ‘appalled’ at the EU’s proposals to reform redundancy laws which may mean that companies can only dismiss staff when bankrupt.The European Commission sets out its social policy agenda for the next five years today.Of all the 33 initiatives tabled, the CBI say that the ‘redundancy’ proposals are […]
HR must act to meet OFR
HR professionals at quoted companies must rise to meet the challenge of the impending Operating and Financial Review (OFR).This is the warning from business advisers, Watson Wyatt.The OFR is a new Companies Act requirement for companies to produce a forward-looking analysis of their business, including information about people management. The regulations are expected to apply […]
Business snubs equal pay audits
The majority of businesses reject the need to conduct equal pay audits believing their pay systems are non-discriminatory.These are the findings from research conducted by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).According to their study 62% of small businesses including those implementing new pay structures deny the need for an assessment of pay.The problem […]
Managers face ‘knowledge gap’ on bullying
A UK-wide survey among managers has revealed that bullying is not seen as a key issue in today’s workplace – with only 17% of respondents claiming that it is a problem to be addressed.However, the research, by Leicester based PTP Training and Marketing Ltd, also highlighted a significant lack of knowledge among managers regarding company […]
Feature: Childcare vouchers and salary sacrifice explained
By Sandra Beale of SJ Beale HR ConsultIn an effort to reduce the costs of childcare for working parents or legal guardians the Chancellor has announced that as of 5 April 2005 employers can provide childcare vouchers up to a value of £50 per week free from tax and national insurance contributions; HR Consultant Sandra […]
SMEs battle with HR red tape
Small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) are spending more and more time on HR issues with over 90% buckling under the pressure of further red tape.Peninsula employment law firm has revealed that bosses are spending an average ten hours a week addressing red tape issues, a figure that has climbed from nine hours back in […]
Payroll Tip: Holiday pay for shift workers
These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Q: How should holiday pay be calculated for shift workers whose earnings vary because they are paid premium rates for work performed at different times of the day? A: The calculation of holiday […]
Opinion: Exploding the myths of outsourcing
Outsourcing as a business strategy has grown rapidly in recent years – and nowhere is this more the case than in the discipline of human resources; Sam Colquhoun of North East HR specialists Right Hand Human Resources (RHHR) looks at some of the issues involved. Let’s begin by exploding a couple of myths about outsourcing […]
