Childcare – New tax break offers big savings for working parents and employers
From April 2005, childcare vouchers up to £50 per week became tax and National Insurance exempt, offering significant savings for working parents and employers. This new exemption encourages more employers to support employee childcare costs.
Feature: NLP – The fast track to skills?
NLP modelling examines the behaviors and strategies of top performers to help others replicate their success and improve performance. By focusing on process rather than content, NLP offers a method for rapidly acquiring skills through studying what makes excellence possible, regardless of personal background or experience.
NHS unveils advice line for skills framework
The NHS is launching a new advisory service on 18 January to help staff understand the Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF). The helpline will provide guidance on KSF dimensions, personal development reviews, career progression, and learning opportunities available to NHS employees.
Council face million pound pay out for failure to ‘consult’
Leicestershire County Council must pay £8 million in compensation to 2,500 staff after failing to properly consult union representatives before dismissing workers as part of implementing a new pay system.
TUC slam Tory proposals to axe quangos
The TUC criticized Conservative plans to abolish 162 quangos and cut the Union Learning Fund, arguing it would deprive workers of educational opportunities. The Tories claim the cuts would save over £4 billion for front-line public services.
HR grows its ‘influence’
New research from IRS Employment Review shows that 73% of HR professionals report increased influence over the past five years, driven by new leadership and demanding regulatory environments. The survey reveals significant differences between public and private sector HR roles, with public sector professionals more likely to hold strategic board positions.
Editor’s Comment: Lighting the torch for jobs creation in 2012
A London Chamber of Commerce poll reveals 68% of businesses support the city’s 2012 Olympic bid, with 47% expecting direct benefits. The Games could create thousands of jobs across construction, tourism, and media sectors, while also generating opportunities for skills training and volunteer development.
Work-life balance wins over pay …… again
Recent surveys reveal that two-thirds of workers prioritize work-life balance over salary increases or promotions, yet over half fear discussing flexible arrangements with their employers. Men are particularly reluctant to broach the topic with their bosses compared to women.
Get ready for Softworld HR & Payroll event
The Softworld HR & Payroll event returns to London’s Grand Hall, Olympia on March 2-3, 2005, featuring over 50 European software providers and free expert-led master classes. Attendees will explore HR metrics, outsourcing, benchmarking, software selection, and change management while receiving a complimentary Buyers’ Guide.
Bank predicts worsening skills gap in 2005
Lloyds TSB predicts the UK skills gap will worsen in 2005, creating labour market bottlenecks that could drive wages higher for skilled positions. Two-thirds of mid-sized businesses expect skills shortages to hinder growth, while most workers report strong job security.
Jobs cull as shoemaker bows out of UK production
Clarks International is closing its last UK factory in Ilminster, Somerset, eliminating 79 jobs as the shoemaker completes its shift to overseas production in the Far East.
Europe leads the world in outsourcing
Europe leads the global outsourcing market with 49% of major contracts valued at £19.6 billion in 2004, double the 2002 amount, according to TPI research. IT services dominate outsourcing deals at 70%, while European firms increasingly turn to outsourcing for competitive efficiency.
Case Study: Royal Mail delivers First Class HCI Service
Royal Mail deployed the government’s Home Computing Initiative to enhance employee skills and create a better workplace culture. The scheme, which provides tax-exempt home computers with learning software, attracted 22,000 employee sign-ups and helped achieve the organization’s goal of becoming a great place to work.
Breakaway union challenges Aslef
A breakaway group of rail workers has launched the Associated Train Crew Union (ATCU) to challenge Aslef, the established train drivers union, amid internal turmoil including leadership dismissals and resignations. The new union was formed by disaffected members citing years of concerns, though Aslef’s leadership dismissed the move as insignificant.
Staff resolve to be better employees
Employees are making New Year’s resolutions to improve their workplace behavior, with common goals including meeting deadlines, returning calls, and eliminating gossip. A survey by recruitment firm Office Angels found workers are also committing to stop flirting with colleagues and taking unnecessary sick days.
Research day for Coaches and Mentors
UK coaches and mentors will gather at Sheffield Hallam University on February 9 for the fifth annual Mentoring and Coaching Research Day. The event offers an opportunity to share research findings, discuss ideas, and network with practitioners across business, health, and education sectors.
Review: ‘The Medici Effect’
Frans Johansson’s “The Medici Effect” explores how radical business innovations emerge at the intersection of diverse ideas, cultures, and experiences. The book encourages breaking conventional thinking patterns and building inclusive organizational cultures, though it focuses less on implementing creative ideas into profitable outcomes.
Taxman may be best way to beat absenteeism
Tax authority medical reviews could reduce fraudulent sickness claims, according to law firm Rowe Cohen. The firm suggests employers can request the Revenue investigate employees with frequent absence periods, a free service that may deter fake sick days by leveraging fear of tax authority scrutiny.
Work costs Brits £170k
British workers spend an average of £3,786 annually on work-related expenses including commuting, lunch, and clothes—totaling roughly £170,000 over a lifetime career. Research shows these hidden costs represent 15% of average salary, prompting calls for better support of workers’ financial wellbeing.
Opinion: Dealing with inappropriate language in the workplace
Workplace inappropriate language can damage organizational reputation and morale. Rather than focusing solely on avoiding offense—an impossible goal—organizations should build a culture of respect through clear procedures, strong management, and policies that embed respect throughout all levels and practices.
