Editor’s Comment: Fashion bites – the rise of dress ‘down’ Friday
By Annie Hayes, HRZone EditorThe death of dress ‘down’ Friday is a well-spun rumour if latest findings which suggest that 63% of employers permit a relaxed dress code at least once a month are anything to by; Editor’s Comment examines the trends and wonders how ‘dress’ impacts on productivity and innovation in the workplace. It […]
Employers ‘sleepwalk’ towards I&C legislation
Sixty-seven per cent of managers admit to ‘knowing little’ about the Information and Consultation (I&C) directive due to be introduced next year.The survey conducted by the European Study Group shows that only 37% of businesses have a dedicated budget in place for informing and consulting employees.The UK Government’s Information and Consultation of Employees (ICE) Regulations […]
Workers ‘cringe’ at motivational statements
Motivational statements are failing to entice workers into working better and harder according to latest research from recruitment consultancy, Office Angels.Almost three quarters (73%) of office workers said that the little note pinned to the wall actually had the opposite effect of stirring their enthusiasm.Two thirds (67%) found them clichéd and patronising despite nine out […]
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 […]
