Productivity and business optimism up
Productivity has dipped only slightly this summer, according to latest statistics from the Centre for Economic Business and Research (CEBR) and in more good news for UK Plc research from the Institute of Directors (IoD) shows that business performance has hit a three-year high.Summer is traditionally the time for a productivity lull as workers take […]
Employment Tribunal data debated
Lobbyists including MPs, solicitors and Public Concern at Work, a charity promoting open justice are trying to quash Government plans to keep details of Employment Tribunals (ETs) a secret.Last week, Employment Relations Minister, Gerry Sutcliffe, accepted union protests that the register of Tribunal details was being misused, causing the Government to introduce new regulations.Claims suggest […]
HR Zone Members Newswire #60 – Attendance incentives
================================================================ HR Zone Members Newswire Issue 60 10 August 2004 http://www.hrzone.co.uk ================================================================ SITE HIGHLIGHTS ***** SITE HIGHLIGHTS ***** SITE HIGHLIGHTS 1. Developing and managing a virtual team 2. First class service for Royal Mail staff 3. Discrimination claims may soar 4. HR Tip – Custom and Practice 5. Training solutions – members’ experiences SITE HIGHLIGHTS […]
HRM Masters course launched
A new MSc in Human Resource Management (HRM) is to be launched in November by the Open University Business School (OUBS).Taking its lead from the new strategic challenges faced by HR professionals, the course will take a pragmatic approach, linking the practice of HR to the wider effectiveness of an organisation. The programme’s courses will […]
Sparks fly over proposed educational reform
The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has today hit back at proposals by the Tomlinson Working Group to reform education for 14-19 year olds; believing that key weaknesses in the education system must be dealt with before further changes take place.The Report has proposed a series of reforms aimed at improving post-16 participation and achievement, […]
Developing and managing a virtual team
Laura Kelly, International Marketing Manager of Thomson NETg looks at the skills required to manage a virtual team. Whether it is to collaborate on a global business strategy, technology or product roll-out, most managers will, at some stage need to lead a virtual project team encompassing parties from around the world. Although the skill set […]
Top Ten CV Howlers Revealed
Most CVs contain basic errors, according to a new survey.Research undertaken by Marketing Professionals UK, found that half of CVs contained spelling or grammatical mistakes.Jonny Cainer, at Marketing Professionals UK, said: “If a CV is badly constructed, it can seriously hinder career progression. People should be aware of the most common mistakes as this is […]
Doing the Business with Coaching
Dianne Bown-Wilson of M3 Consultancy makes the case for tying coaching into business strategy. At present, it seems that many organisations are over-reacting to coaching – a definite case of ‘Don’t really know what it is, how it works, what we’ll get out of it, or why we need it – but you hear so […]
The Way I See It…11 Myths about Coaching
Jan Brause explores some myths about coaching. Coaching adds value in many aspects of our professional and indeed our personal lives, but there is a growing confusion amongst clients and businesses about what coaching actually is or for that matter is not.Myth Number 1 – Coaching is the Same as MentoringActually it isn’t. Mentors over […]
Workers Want More Training
Two fifths of workers across the UK still aren’t being given the opportunity to train sufficiently for their jobs, research reveals today.Over half of workers (55%) believe structured training would make a significant difference to their productivity, yet two fifths (37%) admit their employer doesn’t give them the opportunity to ask for a tailored training […]
First class service for Royal Mail staff
Soaring absenteeism levels has forced Royal Mail to invent new incentive schemes to promote motivation levels among workers.The post office group, Royal Mail has experienced severe difficulties in recent years. With million pound losses and a rescinded re-branding exercise, the organisation is looking to improve their public image. Poor attendance levels are also a cause […]
Control wage costs, says CIPD
Interest rates rose by a quarter percent yesterday, to 4.75% and in a warning to employers the CIPD have advised businesses to keep a cap on wages to avoid fuelling further rises.The decision came as no surprise to UK Plc. Continued house price inflation, soaring consumer debt and a continued slowdown in the manufacturing sector […]
Case Study: The Argos Induction Programme
How a new induction programme at Argos’ Central Distribution Centre in Staffordshire helped boost team-working and improve staff retention. The opening of Argos’ new Central Distribution Centre (CDC) at Barton-under-Needwood, Staffordshire meant a need for new procedures, new people and an opportunity to introduce a whole new way of working within the business. VisionThe over-riding […]
Chester business supports marriage plans
In a break of tradition, a Chester based business; The Funding Corporation (TFC) has rewarded an extra week’s paid holiday for employees who tie the knot.The Working Time Directive stipulates that employees must be allowed four weeks paid holiday per year. This may include bank holidays and is a right applicable to all employees, regardless […]
HR Tip – Gross misconduct
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: What exactly is gross misconduct? A: Gross misconduct is behaviour that is so serious that it constitutes a fundamental breach of the contract and would make continuation of the employment relationship intolerable. You […]
Cash is not king
Pay is no longer the biggest motivator for workers in the UK, according to new research.Almost 2000 respondents were surveyed by Investors in People/NOP. Surprisingly, most workers said they would opt for a fulfilling job over one that pays them a lot of money.Salary figured as an important factor alongside job security but did not […]
Discrimination claims may soar
Employers are under the spotlight this summer as recruiters take on migrant workers and fail to implement proper checks.According to DAS an insurer, bosses may face race discrimination claims if they do not apply the proper procedures when verifying candidates’ eligibility to work.Under Section 8 of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996, it is a […]
HR plays major role in mergers and acquisitions
Culture clashes and insufficient preparation are common reasons for failed mergers and acquisitions. Businesses that have recognised that staff are crucial to the success of any deal are now turning to HR to smooth the path to full integration.Preparation and managing the change process effectively are what matters most with any merger. A recent survey […]
How Did I Get Here? Trevor Lakin, IPPM
Trevor Lakin, Managing Director at the Institute of Payroll and Pensions Management, is this week’s star of HR Zone’s regular ‘How Did I Get Here?’ feature. Trevor reflects on the time when he was told to get ‘off his fat arse’ and start making an impact! Scroll down to find out more.All the previous career […]
Business turns its back on MBAs
Coaching and mentoring are being adopted in place of expensive MBAs by the financial services sector, a new report by business psychologists, OPP Ltd finds.100 senior officers and HR directors from the sector took part in the survey. Responses show that businesses are choosing to nurture top performers through their own development schemes rather than […]
