Letting staff go: how do employers really manage it?
Employee skills and competencies, rather than job role, are the primary factors employers use when selecting staff for redundancy, according to a survey of 89 UK employers. Most organizations rely on line managers’ assessments and length of service as secondary criteria, though two-thirds reported no productivity improvements after job losses.
No Joy for Job Hunters as Recruitment Stays Stable
Recruitment activity is expected to remain stable rather than boom over the next six months, according to the Recruitment Confidence Index. Fewer employers predict hiring increases, with most expecting no change in recruitment levels as business confidence remains flat amid economic uncertainties.
HR Zone Briefing #199 – HR Managers Quit as Earnings Stutter
HR manager resignations increased during the year to January 2004, according to research by the Chartered Management Institute and Remuneration Economics, suggesting concerns about earnings growth in the sector.
RNID Offers Free Disability Awareness Course
RNID provides free disability awareness training to small and medium-sized enterprises with fewer than 250 employees. The course helps staff understand disability issues and combat workplace discrimination rooted in misconceptions and stereotypes.
HR Tip – Employee sent to prison
When an employee is imprisoned for a non-work-related offense, employers cannot assume the contract is frustrated. Instead, consider the absence duration and whether you’d hold the position for sick leave before dismissing the employee.
HR Managers Quit as Earnings Stutter
HR manager resignations increased to 6.2% in 2004 as earnings growth stalled, with combined compensation rising just 0.7% and average bonuses falling by nearly £500, according to the Chartered Management Institute’s National Management Salary Survey.
Case Study: Bitesize E-learning at B&Q
B&Q implemented bite-size e-learning modules called Knowledge Bursts to support its Management Academy training programme across over 320 UK stores. These five-minute animated lessons complement face-to-face training and provide just-in-time learning on leadership, planning, and organizational skills.
Recent Maternity Case Law
Recent European Court of Justice decisions clarify pregnancy and maternity rights, including how pay increases affect Statutory Maternity Pay calculations and entitlements to both maternity and holiday leave. These rulings provide important guidance on employee protections during maternity leave.
Trends in E-Learning
Dr. Amy Finn identifies five key trends shaping e-learning, including its evolution into a strategic business tool and the rise of integrated e-learning suites. These trends reveal how organizations are using e-learning to train workforces, manage knowledge, and deliver information more efficiently.
Review: Tolley’s Tax Essentials – Employment Taxes 2003-04
This practical reference guide covers essential UK employment taxes including PAYE, benefits in kind, and national insurance. Featuring clear explanations, real examples, and cross-references to help identify common pitfalls, it’s an affordable first resource before consulting tax experts.
White Men Hold Key to Equality
Research shows that male leaders’ active support is essential for achieving diversity and gender equality in organizations, requiring culture change beyond policies alone. Companies like Barclays and PwC demonstrate that engaging senior men at a personal level can successfully transform workplace practices and competitiveness.
Pay-Per-Use E-Learning Launch
Parity is launching a pay-per-use e-learning service offering over 1,000 online courses across technical IT, business, management, finance, health and safety, and sales. Users can pay per course using credit cards, with courses launching July 26 and additional industry-specific programs planned for later release.
HR Zone Briefing #198 – MEP wants women in business back in the kitchen
A UKIP MEP’s controversial comments warning small businesses against hiring women of childbearing age have sparked debate about discrimination, maternity issues, and women’s career opportunities in smaller organizations.
HR Tip – Companion at discipline hearing
Employees attending formal disciplinary hearings have a legal right to bring a work colleague or full-time trade union official as a companion, regardless of union recognition. The companion may address the meeting, confer with the employee, and ask questions, but cannot answer on their behalf.
Disability discrimination: caution for SMEs
A landmark ruling in favor of a Scottish road sweeper dismissed due to disability has raised concerns about potential discrimination claims for SMEs. Employers must now make “reasonable adjustments” for disabled workers and consider alternative roles before termination, or risk unlimited damages in Employment Tribunal claims.
Higgs opens boardroom door for non-executive recruitment
Corporate governance reforms have sparked a surge in non-executive director recruitment, particularly for accountants and finance professionals to fill demanding audit committee roles. The Higgs review’s updated Combined Code now requires audit committees to include at least three independent non-executive directors, with at least one having recent financial experience.
Risks and Rewards – Guidance for RSL Boards
The Housing Corporation’s 2004 guidance advises RSL boards on executive pay and conditions, emphasizing that boards must approve senior executive packages, understand total financial obligations including severance costs, and ensure remuneration is reasonable and justified to stakeholders.
MEP wants women in business back in the kitchen
UKIP MEP Godfrey Bloom sparked controversy after stating he would not employ women of child-bearing age and suggesting women belong in the kitchen. His comments to the European Parliament’s women’s rights committee drew criticism from opposition parties for promoting outdated gender stereotypes.
Case Study: Royal Mail’s Home Computer Initiative
Royal Mail implemented a Home Computer Initiative to provide employees with home computers through favorable loan conditions and salary sacrifice arrangements. With over 13% of staff lacking home PC access compared to the national average of 50%, the scheme addressed barriers like technology confidence and cost concerns. Over 16,500 employees enrolled within months of the 2003 launch.
Review: Managing Yourself
Paul Morgan’s “Managing Yourself” aims to improve emotional intelligence and self-coaching through self-assessment exercises and case studies. However, the book becomes dense and difficult to follow with excessive references and models, potentially overwhelming average readers seeking practical self-improvement guidance.
