Civil service strike starts
Trade unions say that hundreds of thousands of civil servants across the UK will be staying away from work today in a one-day strike organised in protest against government plans to axe 100,000 civil and public service jobs.The strike is said to be the biggest in over a decade, 160 government departments and agencies are […]
FSB calls for a ‘regional minimum wage’
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has made its case for a regional based National Minimum Wage (NMW) pointing to its varied impact across the UK.The NMW has affected some parts of the UK more than others; according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB)who have put their case for a varied NMW based on […]
Fireworks safety could put firms in the dock
The Fireworks Act 2003 together with the Fireworks Regulations 2004 means that for the first time firms will have to comply with legal guidelines when organising or hosting firework displays.The new Act was introduced to plug the gap in current legislation; under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 any company holding a non-domestic […]
E-HR manager at Coventry City Council scoops HRZone prize
Softworld conference goers competed for some bubbly at the HRZone and TrainingZone stand at Birmingham’s NEC recently.The exhibition featured around 40 leading solutions suppliers, as well as an educational programme comprising vendor seminar, breakfast briefing and masterclass sessions.Prize winner Chris Burrows said of the event:“Softworld was once again a well worthwhile visit. Many of the […]
24/7 working means kids miss out
Weekend working is having an adverse impact on family life in Britain; says a new study carried out by the National Centre for Social Research on behalf of Keep Time for Children.Around 1.4 million parents are working regularly through the whole weekend while over 2.5 million families are affected by a parent working regularly on […]
Feature: Top 10 tips on motivation
By Sarah Coles-Porter, Event Director, Incentive World & National Incentive ShowEverybody needs to be motivated, a good motivation scheme at work improves productivity, customer and employee loyalty and morale; Sarah Coles-Porter presents her top ten motivation tips. Incentives, gifts and rewards are not just important but essential to a productive and happy office. The importance […]
Member wire #72 – Reflections on the CIPD annual conference
================================================================ HR Zone Members Newswire Issue 72 2 November 2004 http://www.hrzone.co.uk ================================================================ SITE HIGHLIGHTS ***** SITE HIGHLIGHTS ***** SITE HIGHLIGHTS 1. Editor’s Comment: Reflections on the CIPD annual conference 2. CIPD speakers warn of stress dangers 3. Coaches should consider their mistakes 4. Reward professionals cash in on top salary 5. Any Answers: terrorism, staff […]
Civil service strike confirmed for Friday
The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) has confirmed that the civil service will strike this Friday.Attempts to prevent the industrial action were thrown out at the High Court. The call for a one-day national civil service strike is over government plans to axe over 100,000 jobs. The one day stoppage is said to be […]
Mixed reports blight Stress Awareness Day
A report out today by the Institute of Directors (IoD) shows that 58% of its members have no experience of their staff suffering from stress; these findings conflict with research by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) which reports that three in five workers now complain of being stressed at work.The IoD say that 76% of […]
Strike action on the cards for ferry giant
P&O 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.Talks with the unions to save jobs have faltered resulting in the RMT union warning the ferry liner that it is “sleepwalking towards […]
New qualified teacher status for Learning and Skills Sector
A new award of ‘Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills’ for teacher training in the learning and skills sector is set to be introduced. The plan is part of a number of reforms for the post-16 education sector announced by Kim Howells, Minister for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education, at Showcase 2004, the Department of […]
Business optimism crushed as UK economy slows
The economy has reached its peak according to the results of the latest Institute of Directors (IoD) Business Opinion Survey.Optimism among pollsters had dipped to 31% a fall from 40% when views were last tested.Although in a ray of light 67% reported that overall their company was performing well over those who said things were […]
Minister ‘admits pension credit may be failing’
The work and pensions secretary admitted yesterday that the government’s pension credit was suffering from “a take-up problem” and might act as a disincentive to save for some people, according to today’s Guardian.Alan Johnson was speaking at a “saver summit” in London, hosted by the Association of British Insurers to debate possible solutions to the […]
Well strike a light – BAT staff to down tools
The manufacturing and technical trade union Amicus has said that more than 400 workers at British American Tobacco’s factory in Southampton will strike this week, to demand a bigger pay rise. Today, union members rejected a 2.6% pay offer, and demanded 3%. In a statement Amicus National Officer John Allot said, “BAT have announced massive […]
HR face NHS staffing crisis
A shortage in nursing staff and an over dependence on overseas and temporary staff who may quit at short notice has reached a critical level according to the Royal College of Nursing (RCN).The survey by the RCN shows that the nursing and midwifery workforce in England has grown by 16% to 292,000 over the past […]
Revenue accidentally wiped PAYE records
It has emerged that hundreds of thousands of taxpayers may have paid the wrong amount of tax after the Inland Revenue admitted that it had accidentally deleted an undeclared number of taxpayers’ records.The Revenue has told TaxZone there was no question of anyone being asked to pay more tax as a result of the deletions. […]
HR Tip: Returning company clothing
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 issue uniform fleece jackets to our outside workers. These are good quality and very desirable, and as a result some employees fail to return them to us when they leave. Can […]
Forward Features list for 2005
Please see our forward features list for 2005 below, together with service highlights and supplement links. January 2005HR predictions for 2005 – browse through some of the opinion and forecast pieces contributed by leading spokespeople in the field. CIPD forecast tough 2005 for HR Feature: Employment law 2005 Feature: HR predictions – 2005 Editor’s Comment: […]
Review: The Handbook of work based learning
Title: The Handbook of Work Based LearningAuthors: Ian Cunningham, Graham Dawes and Ben BennettPublisher: GowerISBN: 0-566-08541-0Price: £79.00Reviewer: John PopeThis is the most comprehensive and systematic work on learning that I have ever read. Its five parts set out the rational for work-based learning, strategies for learning and development, tactics and most importantly, methods for work-based […]
Workers unaware of pension reality
Latest research highlights a gulf between workers expectations and reality when it comes to their pension funds.The survey of 1000 people aged between 16 and 64 was conducted by human resources firm, Hewitt Associates.Few will have escaped the shock revelations of the Adair Turner report on pensions which revealed that Britain faces a £57 billion […]
