Focus On: HR Specialists – Quentin Colborn, HR Consultant
Redundancy provided Quentin Colborn, a seasoned HR professional with the opportunity to go solo and spearhead his own consultancy; in this feature Colborn tells HRZone about the daily ins and outs of life as a consultant and how handling mergers and acquisitions can be likened to the process of buying and selling a house.Career historyWhile […]
Sellafield worker sacked for being ‘too fat’
Thirty stone Graeme Ivison has been dismissed by his employers because he was too fat to do his job at the Sellafield reprocessing plant.Ivison, aged 27 was employed as a health physics monitor.Speaking to the Telegraph a spokesperson for parent company, British Nuclear Fuels Limited (BNFL) said:“His contract was terminated because he was too overweight […]
IIP tell business ‘develop staff to boost productivity’
Investors in People is warning British business leaders to prioritise employee development if they are to meet their own ambitious business goals.The call follows research to mark IIP week, which shows that while three-quarters of managers say staff development is the key to improving their businesses productivity, just one-in-three put this ahead of all other […]
Public sector workers air pension concerns
MPs will be confronted with protestors tomorrow as hundreds of public sector workers lobby ministers on changes that the Government is proposing to make to their pension schemes.In 2002 the Government published its Pensions Green Paper which sought to raise retirement ages in the public sector from 60 to 65, and to increase the age […]
Pay predictors look to a brighter 2005
Pay analysts, IRS reported in October that average settlements continued to stand at 3%; a figure that has remained unchanged for the last 18 months since April 2003.In their annual survey launched today, IRS debate for how long settlements can stagnate at this figure. According to the pay predictors four in ten employers believe that […]
Editor’s Comment: Raising the game to woo parent voters
By Annie Hayes, HRZone EditorMichael Howard and Tony Blair played their ‘family friendly’ cards this week in a battle where one tried to outwit the other for points in an attempt to win over voting parents; flirtations sweetened by the promise of extended leave and better pay for mums and dads is welcome news for […]
Are you ready for the Freedom of Information Act 2000?
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 will be implemented on 1 January 2005 requiring all public bodies and associated organisations to comply with requests for information. The legislation is designed to promote openness and transparency and will give the public a general right of access to information. Public authorities, including central government, local authorities, NHS, […]
The Couch?! dreams of a room with a view
The Couch?! team now appreciates being in the office as the winter weather seems to be upon us. However with a roundabout on one side, and a building site on the other, couldn’t the view be better than this? As you may be able to see by one of our views here in Bristol KPMG […]
Subdued growth puts manufacturing jobs at risk
Quarter results show that output in the beleaguered manufacturing sector has continued to lag putting workers jobs on the line.The latest CBI and Experian regional trends survey based on responses from 770 companies report that Northern Ireland, the West Midlands and the Northeast have suffered the most.Manufacturing in the West Midlands remains particularly gloomy. Business […]
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 […]
