Editor’s Comment: Campaigners fired up for UK smoking ban
By Annie Hayes, HRZone EditorAnti-smoking sentiment is growing in the UK as bans roll-out across the EU and cries to protect workers health gathers more support; Editor’s Comment looks at the arguments and assesses the potential impact for employers. Smokers this year might be forced to stick to their New Year’s resolutions for giving up […]
Increasing the retirement age raises concerns
Proposals to raise the retirement age have been met with concern; the recommendation has been put in place as a possible solution to plug the UK’s pension shortfall which Adair Turner has revealed to be £57 billion a year.According to Croner, employers could become embroiled in costly red tape when faced with hiring and firing […]
Workers go the extra mile in hope of promotion
Promotion prospects are the key reason why employees put in extra effort at work; reveals a new survey.Recruitment giant Manpower surveyed 1,113 people as part of their search for ‘Britain’s Most Valued Employee’.The majority of workers (90%) say they regularly put more effort into their job than is expected of them while two thirds admit […]
Money laundering scam hits small business
The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants has warned that small businesses are being targeted using official looking letters intended at frightening businesses into handing over money for money laundering ‘compliance packs.’ACCA reminded businesses that there is no need to comply with money laundering regulations where handling cash payments of €15,000 or less. Head of Business […]
Merrill analysts suspended over Sainsbury’s report
Merrill Lynch has suspended two retail analysts over research into the retailer Sainsbury’s which triggered a Financial Services Authority (FSA) selective disclosure investigation. According to a statement issued by Merrill, analysts Andrew Fowler and John Kershaw were yesterday put on immediate administrative leave. The investment bank said that the suspension does not imply any wrongdoing […]
Training key to management motivation
Managers need greater learning and development opportunities to keep their motivation levels high, according to the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).According to the CMI and Adecco Business Eneregy Survey of 1,500 managers, one third had received no training in the past 12 months, despite the fact that many knew a training budget existed.Respondents also wanted better […]
HR & Payroll free qualifications up for grabs!
HRZone together with HRD & Payroll solutions bring you the chance to win a 14 week HR or Payroll qualification. The entry forms are available today from the Softworld event being held at Birmingham’s NEC and also at next week’s CIPD conference in Harrogate.The role-play based e-learning solution is aimed at anyone embarking on a […]
Feature: Handling staff email and internet misuse
Guy Hollebon of solicitors Bevans takes a look at how the number of employment tribunal claims regarding the issue of email and internet misuse are increasing. Email and Internet misuse is becoming increasingly widespread and employment tribunal claims surrounding the issue are increasing. In this article we look at how employers can minimise the risk […]
Software buyers must consider e-filing requirements
Speaking to payroll staff at the Softworld event in Birmingham’s NEC, Inland Revenue business adviser Marie Gibbs warned off the looming online filing deadline and told employers to ensure software can deliver.Size matters she said, with deadlines being banded according to the numbers employed: Employers with 250 or more staff must file their 2004-2005 return […]
Teens – an employer’s dream workforce?
Self-motivated and understanding the importance of hard-work – tomorrow’s workforce could be an employer’s dream if the findings of the latest poll by the Learning and Skills Council are to be believed.According to the LSC’s Success Report 2004, 93% of 14-19-year-olds believe happiness, not money, is the key to success, while two-thirds (62 per cent) […]
Feature: Effective succession planning
By Tim Bradley, managing director of Pecaso UKWe all know that management style can be the make or break of a company. The departure of a well-respected CEO can send shivers down the spine of many a shareholder. So how can companies begin to govern the succession of key roles within the organisation effectively? The […]
Feature: E-Learning Styles
Claudine McClean MCIPD of Structured Training looks at Kolb’s different learning styles and how these influence the way people approach e-learning. E-learning is a different way of learning from the traditional workshop approach. Many people, including training and learning managers, express concerns about how e-learning will meet the needs of their learners. Workshops can struggle […]
HR Tip: Racial balance
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: Are we obliged to have a ratio of black employees that reflects the make-up of the local community? Should we make a point of taking on more black people in preference to […]
Feature: Bridging the training gap – where e-learning went wrong
By Gary Perkins director of CRM reseller, marketing answers and solutionsWhat are the major concerns for IT sales directors today? In a fast-moving, competitive market, it’s unlikely that staff training tops the to-do list. Yet an effective training programme can dictate the success or failure of a sales team. It’s not that sales directors are […]
Softworld HR & Payroll highlights
Softworld HR & Payroll event takes place from 20-21 October 2004 at the NEC, Birmingham. The event features an exhibition of around 40 leading solutions suppliers, as well as an educational programme comprising vendor seminar, breakfast briefing and masterclass sessions. A major highlight this year will be the question and answer session with the Inland […]
CIPD says Tomlinson could bridge skills gap
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development believes the Tomlinson report has the potential to address skills shortages in the UK.The CIPD said the recommendations for the future of education for 14-19 year-olds could strengthen vocational skills. Victoria Gill, Learning, Training and Development Adviser at the CIPD, said: “The proposal to strengthen the vocational qualification […]
Colleague camaraderie keeps workers
Latest research shows that the workers are not quitting their jobs because they like their colleagues too much.Sixty-five per cent of respondents in the Sterry Communications survey said this was the reason they remained working for their current employer.Money was found to be an insignificant motivator for many with only 13% saying that pay rewards […]
Government asks GPs to help end ‘sick-note’ culture
Work and Pensions Secretary Alan Johnson has called upon doctors to encourage sick-employees to get back to work. Addressing the Royal Society of Medicine Johnson said the forthcoming White Paper on public health looks to push the benefits of rehabilitation through work. “While we must provide security for those who cannot work, increasingly doctors agree […]
TUC calls for workplace smoking ban
Commenting on the Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health Report showing the dangers of passive smoking, Brendan Barber, TUC General Secretary, said:“Workplaces will be safer when they are smoke free. Half measures will not save the 700 employees who die every year due to passive smoking at work.”The call comes in the wake of Commissioner […]
Actuaries under attack for misleading pension schemes
According to a report due to be presented to the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, actuaries have failed work pensions by routinely factoring in strong future investment growth, on calculating whether or not schemes will be able to afford to pay their members. The report, written by Mercer Human Resources and Hewitt Bacon & Woodrow, […]
