HR Tip – Notice for senior staff
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: How much notice should senior staff be on? We have been told that one month is not enough. A: The law requires that employees, regardless of status, who have one month of […]
Widespread use of drugs in the workplace
One in three UK employees are aware of people who are under the influence of drugs at work, according to research published today.The survey of over 8000 people from across the UK by recruitment site reed.co.uk reveals that a third are aware of someone who had been under the influence of or is actually taking […]
Working time consultation – have your say!
A consultation looking into long hours working and the way the individual opt-out from the 48-hour working time limit operates in the UK, was launched today by Employment Relations Minister Gerry Sutcliffe.He said “we are open to ideas on how the operation of the opt-out can be improved – that is why we are seeking […]
Managers admit to having ‘no energy’
Workplace energy is dropping dangerously low, according to a new survey which suggests that volume of work is having adverse effects on employee energy levels.The Business Energy Survey, by the Chartered Management Institute and Adecco assessed the attitudes and motivations of 1500 managers. It found that: Almost half of managers feel that they are overloaded […]
Union urges change to two tier workforce code
The GMB General Union has attacked the Government over its failure to provide a level playing field on pensions as part of the two tier workforce code.The GMB passed an emergency motion demanding that the Government protect the pensions of workers who transfer from the public sector to the private sector via TUPE or PFI.The […]
Revised ACAS Code on disciplinary and grievance procedures
The revised ACAS Code on Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures in the Workplace has been laid before Parliament. Subject to Parliamentary approval, it will come into force on 1 October 2004.The Code has been revised to take account of the new statutory discipline and grievance procedures which come into force on 1 October 2004. […]
Employers praised for fight against age discrimination
Employers who have taken positive steps in tackling age discrimination were officially recognised at the Age Positive Awards ceremony hosted by Malcolm Wicks, Minister for Pensions, in London yesterday. Employer award winners English National Employer Winner – Yorkshire WaterIn 2003 Yorkshire Water’s Directors agreed a new equality and diversity strategy. Their diversity brand ‘Open to […]
HR Tip – Wrongful dismissal
HRD & Payroll Solutions continues to bring HR Zone members a range of HR tips. This week’s tip looks at signing contracts of employment. Q: What is wrongful dismissal? Is it different from unfair dismissal? A: Wrongful dismissal is the term used for breach of the employment contract. A common example is the employer’s failure […]
Review: Performance Coach
Author(s):Tony Dixon and Hazel ValentinePublisher:Gower/Middlesex University Reviewer:Angela Busby, CMP, ICPD (Fellow) mailto:angela.busby@gwl.caISBN:0566085135 Price:£325.00General Comments and Observations:Layout of materials is very good. Timetables and presentation plans very useful components. Was happy to see white space – this is often not the case in binder formatted materials that I have seen lately – I like to be […]
HR urged to check age diversity policies
Age Positive Week is launched today with the goal of encouraging employers to give ageism the boot. The campaign is encouraging employers to across the UK to look at their age diversity policies and help stamp out ageism during the week. “The aim of any sensible employment strategy is to find the right employee for […]
A little more conversation, a little less action?
So how can HR facilitate more effective internal communication? Nick Throp, Communication Consultant and European Partner at Mercer Human Resource Consulting, suggests ten steps to successful HR communication and urges HR to start the process of active listening. Elvis isn’t regarded as one of the leading thinkers on how to engage, motivate and inspire employees. […]
Euro 2004: Don’t give staff the red card
It’s no coincidence that the number of sickies has shot up due to Euro 2004 and the sunny weather and employers are understandably suspicious. However, “if an employer suspects an employee is skiving, they mustn’t jump the gun and take disciplinary action until they have investigated the problem and are certain the absence was not […]
Intranet self-service tops HR wish list
58% of HR professionals plan to invest in HR-related technology by December, claims new research.Intranet self-service systems are top of the technology wish list for HR departments, according to the survey by market research agency Vanson Bourne on behalf of Northgate Information Solutions.Of the 250 HR professionals surveyed who were not already using each specific […]
Sophistication of IT firms creates new HR role
Increasingly, Global 2000 companies are creating an internal role to facilitate responsiveness to HR needs within their IT organisations, according to META Group. The HR/IT Program Manager is gaining importance and is highlighted in META Group’s 2004 IT Staffing and Compensation Guide, which contains hundreds of titles and specific job descriptions throughout IT organisations. The […]
‘Sunny weather syndrome’ hits UK companies
Rising temperatures has meant that increasing numbers of UK workers are calling in sick, according to a survey by Active Health Partners. Its experts estimate that 23,000 working days were lost in absenteeism as the weather reached its highest temperatures last week and statistics show that a one-degree increase in temperature causes 2000 more people […]
Review: Mental Space
Title: Mental Space Authors: Tina Konstant and Norris TaylorPublisher: Pearson Education LtdISBN: 1-843-04016-6Price: £15.00This is a “dip-in” book that aims to give the reader an insight into how to use mental space to help you respond to the world. Some of the ideas will be familiar; others may be new to you as they were […]
HR Tip – Signing contracts of employment
HRD & Payroll Solutions continues to bring HR Zone members a range of HR tips. This week’s tip looks at signing contracts of employment. Q: How important is it for employees to sign their contracts of employment? Is a contract valid without a signature? A: If you offer someone a job, indicate the remuneration they […]
Increase in drink and drugs misuse
Pauline Pembry, Employment Services Manager for FirstAssist, offers some advice regarding workplace drug and alcohol misuse and highlights the relevant legislation. One in five managers believes alcohol misuse has increased in their organisation over the past few years, and 16% feel that drug abuse is on the increase, according to research.New Government regulations, following their […]
Mobile working
Michael Frisby of Cobweb Solutions explains how mobile working makes sound commercial sense and offers many benefits to businesses and employees alike. The world’s work patterns are changing, with more and more flexible working and an ever increasing need to spend more time with customers. This increased demand for mobile services has resulted in employees […]
New dispute resolution legislation
On 1 October 2004 new rules come into force with an important impact for HR professionals when dealing with disciplinary and dismissal matters and grievances. Eilidh Wiseman, Partner at Dundas & Wilson explains. Broadly, unless the employer follows the minimum disciplinary and dismissal procedure set out in the new legislation, any dismissal will be automatically […]
