Labour market at full capacity
Employment in the UK reached its highest level since 1971, with the employment rate hitting 74.9% in December 2004 and 28.52 million people in work. However, unemployment also rose to 4.7%, and economists warn the tight labour market poses an inflation risk.
Businesses back staff development
Most employers now support staff development, with 79% offering employees opportunities to gain further qualifications and 84% allowing training time during work hours. A survey of 856 employers found that 91% believe employee training benefits the company long-term, though bosses face risks when trained staff move to competitors.
Workers across the pond trust leaders more
US workers show significantly higher trust in their leaders compared to UK workers, with 51% expressing confidence in senior management versus just 31% in the UK. Corporate scandals and poor communication channels have eroded employee confidence, though improving dialogue between management and employees can rebuild trust and boost business performance.
Case Study: Barclays scoop top rewards with HR shared service centre
Barclays implemented a centralized HR shared service centre to replace its fragmented, decentralized model across 28 UK business units. The initiative aimed to reduce costs by 50% and improve service consistency across the bank’s 75,000 employees while maintaining quality and support.
Olympic bid troubled by skills deficit
A skills shortage threatens the UK’s ability to host the 2012 Olympic Games, according to a survey by People 1st. While 73% of hospitality and tourism businesses support the bid for its tourism potential, 60% say more skilled workers are needed to make it successful.
Skill shortages hamper recruitment efforts
UK employers are struggling to find workers with the right skills, with 43% of businesses reporting recruitment difficulties compared to just 29% a decade ago. The British Chambers of Commerce calls for government reform in vocational training to address the widening skills gap before it damages the nation’s competitiveness.
Property slowdown catapults worker ‘sickies’
A slowing property market is driving workers to take sick days for home-selling tasks. Research shows 35% of mortgage borrowers took at least three days of sick leave, while 96% admitted to spending work time on the sales process, with some losing over two hours daily to the effort.
HR Tip: Different jobs, different contracts?
When a part-time worker performs different types of work across multiple departments, you can use either one or multiple employment contracts. However, one contract is preferable for long-term arrangements, while separate contracts work better if work varies significantly. Regardless, the employee counts as one employee under employment law, so total hours must not exceed 48 weekly and benefits are calculated on total company service.
Member wire #86 – Love wars could land bosses in the dock
Workplace romances are becoming more common, but employers should establish clear policies to avoid legal disputes. HR advisers recommend companies consider protective measures similar to prenuptial agreements when office relationships end badly.
NHS equal pay battle close to £300m pay out
Unison has secured an equal pay settlement worth nearly £300m for 1,500 female NHS workers at North Cumbria Acute NHS Trust, ending an eight-year legal battle over historic pay discrimination affecting nurses, domestics, and other staff roles.
Opinion: Bosses to blame for soaring absence
UK absence has reached record highs despite new management efforts, but employers are largely to blame for the problem. Management consultant Gerry Baxter argues that organizations fail to gather meaningful absence data and focus too heavily on punishing truants rather than rewarding consistent attendees.
Review: Implementing virtual teams
This practical guide to implementing virtual teams covers organizational and human factors essential for success. Written by experienced virtual team researchers, it balances academic rigor with accessible business guidance, offering implementation strategies, real-world case studies, and ready-to-use tools for managers.
Part-timers miss out on training and pay
Part-time workers receive 40% less training than full-time employees and earn significantly lower wages, according to an Equal Opportunities Commission investigation. Over half of part-time workers feel underutilized in their roles, while women part-timers earn 40% less per hour than male full-time workers, facing a substantial pay penalty.
The Couch?! Goes looking for instant love
Speed dating is one of the UK’s fastest growing dating phenomena, offering singles a chance to meet multiple potential partners in one evening. The author attended a speed-dating event to discover whether the high-volume approach to finding romance lives up to the hype, documenting the awkward conversations and surprising results.
Veggie practice adopts non-carnivore recruitment policy
Chingford accountancy firm Jackson & Jackson became the first professional services company to receive official Vegetarian Society approval, adopting a non-carnivore recruitment policy and partnering with vegan service providers.
Love wars could land bosses in the dock
Employers face legal risks from workplace romances, with only 20% having formal policies despite 71% of workers admitting to office relationships. HR experts recommend “love contracts” outlining conduct standards and grievance procedures to prevent sexual harassment claims.
Quango review labels Investors in People ‘useless’
A government review branded Investors in People a “useless” quango, claiming at least 111 of the UK’s 529 non-departmental public bodies waste taxpayer money. The report identified nine quangos for elimination and called for a public inquiry into £1.8bn annual spending on regional development agencies.
How Did I Get Here? Sally Gregory, VP Human Resources-Europe, National Car Rental
Sally Gregory transitioned from teaching biology to become VP Human Resources at National Car Rental by self-teaching HR basics and seizing an unexpected opportunity at GEC in 1985. Her career progressed through personnel management roles, culminating in leading the successful merger of Alamo and EuroDollar rental companies into a unified organization.
HIV sufferers face workplace discrimination
A survey reveals widespread workplace discrimination against people living with HIV, with 85% of managers acknowledging regular discrimination. Many respondents believed those with HIV should be excluded from certain professions like chef or waiter roles, highlighting how stigma—not health risks—remains the primary employment barrier.
Editor’s Comment: Finding love in the concrete jungle
Modern workplace relationships are increasingly common, with surveys showing up to 50% of workers have had romances with colleagues. As people work longer hours and increasingly remain single, the office has become a primary place to meet potential partners.
