Poor customer service dents retailers’ profits
Big department stores have been voted the worst offenders for shoddy customer service standards, closely followed by banks and building societies with small local stores getting top marks for their excellent service.The research conducted by window blinds outfit, Hillarys Blinds shows that shoppers are tired of being passed from one person to another, with four […]
Investors in People gets face-lift
The Investors in People Standard which provides a framework for improving business performance and competitiveness through good practice in human resource development has been revamped.Further simplification of the scheme places greater emphasis on employee involvement and maximising potential. The role of managers in employee development and the benefits of involving staff in decision making have […]
CBI blasts Pensions Bill
Employers’ group the CBI have dismissed the new Pensions Bill which received Parliamentary endorsement on Thursday, as a ‘missed opportunity’ to restore employer confidence in pensions.The Bill contains provision for a £400m Pension Protection Fund (PPF), which is intended to provide better protection for the accrued rights of staff with defined benefit occupational pension schemes […]
Payroll Tip: National Insurance numbers, P14s and P46s
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: National Insurance numbers, P14s and P46s – can you provide some clarity? A: The Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 (Schedule 1, paragraph 7A) provides for Regulations to be made that would require […]
Health and safety prosecutions up
Despite findings which show that employers recognise the link between health and safety and improved productivity and morale, HSE prosecutions have risen.The fifth annual Health and Safety Offences and Penalties Report shows that last year the Health and Safety Executive (HSE ) made 206,000 regulatory contacts, investigated nearly 28,000 incidents and complaints, issued 11,295 improvement […]
Bosses say they are the best
More than eight in ten employers regard themselves as great bosses; according to latest survey findings.The figures collated by financial recruitment firm, Portfolio Payroll and employment lawyers Peninsula show that 82% of respondents believe they are great while 77% are confident their employees would say the same. Most respondents, 87% say they prefer to promote […]
Feature: Drug testing in the workplace
By Dr Geoff Earnshaw at Rood Lane Medical GroupTesting individuals for drug use is becoming increasingly commonplace and has rapidly expanded in the criminal justice system; Dr Geoff Earnshaw looks at the issues for employers. Business increasingly operates in a culture of regulation and risk assessment. Most large companies now have a workplace drug and […]
The future is ‘organic’ for workers
Traditional business hierarchies are set to collapse making way for the emergence of a new ‘organic’ workplace; says a new report looking at the future of working.The study conducted for Hudson by The Future Laboratory says that more flexible and collaborative organisations will be the ones who are successful at retaining and attracting the best […]
CBI say ‘yes’ to £5 minimum wage
CBI leader Digby Jones has told the Low Pay Commission (LPC) that business is ready for the £5.00 minimum wage but that its introduction should be delayed until 2006.Employers’ group the CBI say that in 2005 the LPC should stop short of making any further above-inflation raises for the minimum wage.The LPC has proposed raising […]
Unemployment rate crashes to all time low
Official labour market statistics out today show that the unemployment rate has fallen to its lowest levels since records began twenty years ago in 1984; the CIPD warn, however, that the rosy figures mar the record numbers of economically inactive people and soaring rates of long-term sickness levels.The unemployment rate has fallen to 4.6%, down […]
Member wire #74 – Raising the game to woo parent voters
================================================================ HR Zone Members Newswire Issue 74 16 November 2004 http://www.hrzone.co.uk ================================================================ SITE HIGHLIGHTS ***** SITE HIGHLIGHTS ***** SITE HIGHLIGHTS 1. Editor’s Comment: Raising the game to woo parent voters 2. Focus On: HR Specialists – Quentin Colborn, HR Consultant 3. Peoplesoft spurn Oracle’s takeover offer 4. Subdued growth puts manufacturing jobs at risk 5. […]
Feature: Making change for the better
By Tim Bradley, managing director, Pecaso UK‘Change Management’ refers to the psychological and physical adjustment necessary to accommodate any sort of organisational change. HR departments have realised that staff will not fall in with large change on pat: a strategy needs to be implemented to smooth the way for the transition to new working methods. […]
Parliamentary Ombudsman announces pensions investigation
Ann Abraham, the Parliamentary Ombudsman will conduct an investigation into complaints that workers were misled about occupational pension schemes.The inquiry will focus on the actions of four government bodies including the Department for Work and Pensions, the Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority, HM Treasury and the National Insurance Contributions Office.The grievances have arisen from former workers […]
Blended learning set to double in UK & US
UK and US organisations plan to reduce the time that training delegates spend away from the workplace by almost doubling their use of blended learning over the next two years, according to a transatlantic study.The survey found that 13% of all organisational training is currently delivered via blended learning – a figure predicted to rise […]
Swissport workers sent packing
Seven hundred and fifty Swissport employees working at Heathrow had their airside passes removed and were sent home this morning.The company, which previously described itself as a major force in the global ground and cargo handling business reportedly ceased trading at 5 am today (Tuesday 16 November).It is rumoured that the firm awaits the appointment […]
Review: Cool Search
Title: Cool SearchAuthor: Lammiman, Jean and Syrett, MichelPublisher: Capstone Publishing Limited (A Wiley Company)ISBN: 1841124303Price: £16.99Reviewer: Kay MaddoxI don’t know about you but the sheer volume of rather dull, dry management and leadership texts, remodelled but saying the same thing over the last few years has gradually worn me down! As such my expectations were […]
Computers damage users’ eyesight
A Japanese study presents evidence which shows that short-sighted computer users have an increased risk of contracting glaucoma.Toho University School of Medicine in Tokyo conducted research which suggests that those with normal vision are not at risk but those who are short-sighted run the risk of developing the disease which can lead to blindness.Glaucoma is […]
Health Secretary calls time on workplace smoking
The long-awaited Public Health White Paper, to be published today by Health Secretary John Reid will announce a ban on smoking in workplaces and anywhere serving food but will stop short of an all out blanket ban.Smokers will be prevented from lighting up in places that serve food including cafes, restaurants and most pubs but […]
Training fails to hit the mark for finance workers
Despite being one of the biggest investors in people development too many employees in the financial services sector are under-performing; this news comes in the wake of DfES research which shows that the sector is amongst the top three reporting high skills gaps.Nine per cent of financial services organisations spend more than 3% of their […]
ACAS launches free online absence package
ACAS, the Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service, have announced the launch of a free online learning package to help small businesses and organisations manage absence in the workplace. ACAS says that in 2003 the cost to business of absence was £11.6 billion with 176 million working days lost. It claims that its online course provides […]
