Feature: Making change for the better
Effective change management is crucial for organizational success, yet 75% of change initiatives fail due to poor implementation. Without proper planning and communication, organizations face direct costs like unmet objectives and wasted resources, plus indirect costs including damaged employee morale and increased resistance to future changes.
Parliamentary Ombudsman announces pensions investigation
The Parliamentary Ombudsman will investigate complaints that four government bodies misled workers about occupational pension schemes, focusing on whether officials ignored evidence of pension risks and provided inaccurate information to scheme members and trustees.
Blended learning set to double in UK & US
UK and US organisations plan to nearly double their use of blended learning over two years, with adoption expected to rise from 13% to 24% by 2006. The shift aims to reduce workplace time away from training by up to 50%, while instructor-led training decreases correspondingly.
Swissport workers sent packing
Swissport ceased trading at Heathrow on Tuesday morning, sending home 750 employees without warning. The company reportedly awaits receiver appointment, though operations at Stansted and Gatwick are said to continue.
Review: Cool Search
Cool Search examines how organizations should manage and market to Millennial employees, who prioritize control and peer loyalty over job security and traditional career paths. Based on research and case studies from companies like IKEA and L’Oreal, this refreshing management book explores leadership and branding strategies for engaging younger workers in today’s 24/7 culture.
Computers damage users’ eyesight
A Japanese study found that short-sighted computer users face an 82% higher risk of developing glaucoma, a disease that can lead to blindness. Regular eye tests are recommended for heavy computer users, though comprehensive screening requires multiple tests beyond standard eye exams.
Health Secretary calls time on workplace smoking
Health Secretary John Reid is set to announce a ban on smoking in workplaces and food-serving establishments, though the measure stops short of a complete blanket ban. The policy will protect bar staff in venues with adequate ventilation while following similar legislation already implemented in Ireland, Norway, and parts of America.
Training fails to hit the mark for finance workers
Financial services companies spend heavily on training but struggle with effectiveness, with one in four reporting staff lack necessary skills. Key barriers include irrelevant courses, staffing difficulties during training, and excessive time away from work.
ACAS launches free online absence package
ACAS has launched a free online absence management package to help small businesses and organisations develop policies and procedures for handling workplace absence, covering issues from unplanned absences to persistent absenteeism.
Focus On: HR Specialists – Quentin Colborn, HR Consultant
Quentin Colborn, an HR consultant, shares his career journey from working at the RAC to launching his own consultancy after redundancy in 1999. His expertise spans employee relations, mergers and acquisitions, and managing organizational change across various industries.
Sellafield worker sacked for being ‘too fat’
A 27-year-old health physics monitor at Sellafield was dismissed by British Nuclear Fuels Limited for being unable to fit through turnstiles or wear required decontamination suits. The worker is challenging the termination, claiming he was a similar size when hired.
IIP tell business ‘develop staff to boost productivity’
Investors in People research shows that while 75% of managers recognize staff development as key to boosting productivity, only one-third prioritize it over technology and other investments. Business leaders must refocus on employee development to achieve their ambitious growth targets.
Public sector workers air pension concerns
Public sector workers will lobby MPs on Tuesday to oppose government plans to raise retirement ages from 60 to 65 and increase early retirement eligibility age from 50 to 55. Unions argue the pension changes are unfair, particularly since public sector workers already earn less than private sector counterparts.
Pay predictors look to a brighter 2005
Pay settlements are expected to remain stable at around 3% in 2005, according to IRS survey data, though early-year increases may occur due to rising inflation. Manufacturing faces tighter constraints on pay awards compared to the service sector, while merit pay and cash bonuses remain the most popular reward strategies.
Editor’s Comment: Raising the game to woo parent voters
UK politicians Michael Howard and Tony Blair competed for parent voters by announcing competing family-friendly policies this week, including extended maternity leave and flexible childcare arrangements. While Blair proposed statutory reforms potentially extending maternity pay to a year, Howard championed flexible options allowing parents to choose how to share leave and payment.
Are you ready for the Freedom of Information Act 2000?
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 requires all UK public bodies to comply with information requests from January 2005, promoting transparency and public access. Organizations must produce approved publication schemes, respond within 20 working days, and can only refuse disclosure under 23 specified exemptions including national security and commercial sensitivity.
The Couch?! dreams of a room with a view
The Couch?! team reflects on their Bristol office views, flanked by a roundabout and building site, offering limited scenery but occasional workplace drama. They invite readers to share their own office window views and pictures with the community.
Subdued growth puts manufacturing jobs at risk
Manufacturing sector growth remains subdued, putting an estimated 22,000 jobs at risk. A CBI and Experian survey reveals the West Midlands, Northern Ireland, and Northeast have been hardest hit by declining output, falling orders, and rising costs threatening profitability.
New standards to boost management skills
New occupational standards for leadership have been developed to improve UK management skills and boost economic performance. Covering 47 skill topics including innovation, risk management, and diversity, the standards aim to help employers recruit and train managers while raising the value of management qualifications.
Employers block out Tribunal reality
Most UK employers wrongly believe they won’t face Employment Tribunal claims, despite new legislation requiring disability accommodations and updated HR procedures. A survey reveals over half of employers haven’t implemented recent legal changes, risking costly breaches and tribunal payouts.
