New standards to boost management skills
New occupational standards for leadership are hoped to raise the skills of UK managers.The Management Standards Centre, part of the Chartered Management Institute, devised the standards in response to Government-backed studies showing that poor management is holding back the UK economy.Designed to provide a framework for managers and their employers to follow, the new standards […]
Employers block out Tribunal reality
A staggering 86% of employers believe they will never be taken to an Employment Tribunal; according to latest findings by employment law firm Peninsula.The news comes despite research which reveals that over half of UK employers have not implemented the recent raft of legislation introduced in October.The survey reports that 62% of respondents have not […]
Capital’s postal workers threaten to strike at Christmas
Postal workers in London are preparing to ballot for industrial action over the Christmas period in reaction to an overtime and pay dispute.The Communication Workers Union (CWU) is outraged by the pay offered to workers over the festive season.CWU deputy general secretary Dave Ward said:“Of course we want to deliver a service over Christmas, but […]
P&O jobs dispute goes to ballot
The ongoing battle between P&O and the unions is moving towards a ballot.The ferry giant recently announced plans to axe 1,200 jobs along with eight ships and the closure of four out of its 13 routes; the cuts are blamed on the decline in booze cruise business. Rising competition from budget airlines and the Eurotunnel […]
Peoplesoft spurn Oracle’s takeover offer
HR solutions provider Peoplesoft have rejected software giant Oracle’s bid for ownership at $24.00 per share.The board were unanimous in their decision following a review of the amended offer declaring the bid as a poor valuation of the firm’s worth.Dave Duffield, PeopleSoft’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer said:“The Board concluded that PeopleSoft is worth substantially […]
Feature: The Idler Culture
By Justin Lewis, Chief Executive of Corporate SynergyLewis examines the new values of the young working generation and urges businesses to review their rewards packages to make allowances for lifestyle benefits. If work is the curse of the drinking classes, then “idleness” must surely be the blessing of a new generation of twenty-something professionals. When […]
HR Zone Briefing #216 – What is HR strategy?
================================================================ HR Briefing Issue 216 11 November 2004 http://www.hrzone.co.uk ================================================================ SITE HIGHLIGHTS **** SITE HIGHLIGHTS **** SITE HIGHLIGHTS **** 1. The New HR Charter: Part 12 – What is HR strategy? 2. Migrant workers plug rural jobs gap 3. M&S HR Director makes exit 4. Car number plate ‘1 HR’ revs up for five-figure offer […]
Tories promise better deal for parents
Conservative Party Leader Michael Howard has today revealed the Tories position on childcare; key to the proposals is the option for both parents to partake in the leave entitlements giving fathers the unprecedented opportunity to share up to a year’s leave with partners.Howard promised to consult with parents on the issue:“We’ll consult on whether it […]
Scottish workplaces to quit smoking habit by 2006
First Minister Jack McConnell outlined his plans to the Scottish Parliament for an all out smoking ban in Scotland which he said should be in place by spring 2006.The government’s proposals include: To seek a comprehensive ban on smoking in all enclosed public places in Scotland The legislation will be enforced by Environmental Health and […]
TUC make fresh call for NMW rate rise
In its annual submission to the Low Pay Commission (LPC), the Trades Union Congress (TUC) will today recommend an increase in the adult national minimum wage (NMW) to £5.35 up from £4.85 per hour.The TUC say that the rate rise would be both fair and affordable and would give an increase above the projected growth […]
Workers long for some zzzzzzzzzzz
Latest research shows that employees yearn for their bosses to give them time to sleep during the working day.Portfolio Payroll, the city based recruitment firm and Peninsula employment law practice has released figures which show that employees would like to be given an hour of sleep each day.A huge 88% of respondents admitted to feeling […]
Member wire #73 – Stress in the 21st century
================================================================ HR Zone Members Newswire Issue 73 9 November 2004 http://www.hrzone.co.uk ================================================================ SITE HIGHLIGHTS ***** SITE HIGHLIGHTS ***** SITE HIGHLIGHTS 1. Editor’s Comment: Stress in the 21st century 2. HR Tip: Workplace relocation 3. Feature: Examining the right to time off for dependants 4. Bosses play scrooge this Christmas 5. Any Answers: recovering pay, disabled […]
The New HR Charter: Part 12 – What is HR strategy?
Who’s got an HR strategy? Probably the greatest myth in the HR world is the concept of HR strategy. Everyone says they have one but when you ask what it looks like it looks like everyone else’s. The same attempt to be an ‘employer of choice’, the same old competence framework, using the same ‘best […]
Women entrepreneurs on the rise
Thousands of women have made the bold step of going it alone over the last year; a move that has been applauded by Industry Minister Jacqui Smith.Speaking at the annual women’s business support network PROWESS conference today Smith said that over 130,000 women had become their own bosses since last year.This rise in female-led start-ups […]
Brown urges businesses to invest in skills
British people must become the best trained in the world to beat the challenge of global outsourcing, Chancellor Gordon Brown has warned business leaders.Speaking at the CBI Conference in Birmingham, Mr Brown committed to working with industry over the next year to “make Britain the best educated, trained and skilled workforce prepared for all challenges […]
NHS get minimum wage rate rise
A new improved NHS wage of £5.69 per hour was voted in my UNISON’s health members by three to one.UNISON, general secretary David Prentis said:“Thanks to this vote, the NHS is closer to the goal of achieving a modern pay and conditions system. It properly recognises and rewards the skills of the workforce, and offers […]
Migrant workers plug rural jobs gap
A Trades Union Congress (TUC) published report shows that since the accession of 10 new countries into the EU on 1 May workers from central and Eastern Europe are being recruited to work in food processing, hospitality and agriculture, industries that have traditionally experienced difficulties in filling vacancies in the past.Propping up rural and small […]
EOC calls for better maternity leave planning
The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) are backing calls for a ‘green light’ to ask women to indicate their return dates much earlier during maternity leave.The announcement was made at the CBI conference. Existing law is weighted towards the worker. Employers are entitled to write to their employee to ascertain plans for returning to work. However, […]
HR Tip: Workplace relocation
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: We are relocating our workshop and offices to a new site five miles away. Does this equate to a redundancy of staff? Can we force workers to move? A: If the contracts […]
Feature: Examining the right to time off for dependants
By Alison Wallace, head of employment practice, Steptoe & Johnson In this feature Alison Wallace looks at the legal framework surrounding the employment right to take time off for dependants. A recent appeal case could have major repercussions for working parents. The Employment Appeal Tribunal ruling in the South Central Trains Limited -v- Rodway case […]
