Employers praised for fight against age discrimination
Major employers including Yorkshire Water, First Group, and Iceland Foods received official recognition at the Age Positive Awards for implementing effective strategies to combat age discrimination. The award winners demonstrated commitment to recruiting, retaining, and developing employees of all ages through diversity initiatives and inclusive workplace policies.
HR Tip – Wrongful dismissal
Wrongful dismissal occurs when an employer breaches the employment contract, such as failing to provide required notice or withdrawing contractual benefits. Unlike unfair dismissal, which concerns the reason for termination, wrongful dismissal focuses on how the dismissal was handled, with no minimum service requirement to claim damages.
Review: Performance Coach
Performance Coach, by Dixon and Valentine, is a comprehensive training program with excellent materials design featuring clear layout, detailed facilitator guidance, and practical participant workbooks. The program emphasizes the critical importance of action support groups for real-world application of coaching principles, supported by sound, research-based content applicable to modern workplaces.
HR urged to check age diversity policies
Age Positive Week launches today, urging UK employers to review their age diversity policies and combat ageism in the workplace. The campaign highlights how age diversity improves profits, productivity, retention, and company reputation while accessing a broader talent pool and customer base.
A little more conversation, a little less action?
Effective internal communication requires HR to facilitate open dialogue with employees rather than push top-down initiatives. HR leaders should prioritize communication as a strategic business priority, align messaging with employer brand, and actively listen to workforce concerns.
Euro 2004: Don’t give staff the red card
During Euro 2004, employers face increased sick leave claims and must handle suspicions carefully. Before taking disciplinary action, investigate thoroughly to confirm absences are genuinely false, and remind staff that hangovers aren’t legitimate illness reasons for missing work.
Intranet self-service tops HR wish list
Fifty-eight percent of HR professionals plan to invest in technology by December, with intranet self-service systems topping their wish list. E-HR systems are the most popular choice, intended by 23% of surveyed companies, followed by internet recruitment at 21%. These investments allow HR departments to shift focus from administrative tasks to strategic priorities like training and development.
Sophistication of IT firms creates new HR role
Global 2000 companies are creating HR/IT Program Manager roles to better manage talent allocation and respond to human capital needs within IT departments. This emerging position maps skill sets to IT projects and provides HR counsel to business units, addressing the growing complexity of IT staffing.
‘Sunny weather syndrome’ hits UK companies
UK workers are calling in sick in record numbers when temperatures rise, with 23,000 working days lost during last week’s heatwave. Survey data shows a one-degree temperature increase causes 2,000 more people to take absence, prompting employers to monitor absenteeism patterns more closely.
Review: Mental Space
Mental Space by Tina Konstant and Norris Taylor is a practical self-help guide offering interactive exercises and techniques to develop mental clarity and respond better to life’s challenges. This 205-page “dip-in” resource covers topics from breathing control to financial management, using tasks, real-life stories, and imagery to help readers build their personal toolkit for managing stress and improving focus.
HR Tip – Signing contracts of employment
Employment contracts don’t require signatures to be valid—a verbal agreement with accepted job terms creates a binding contract. However, providing written statements of employment terms is legally required, and while signatures aren’t mandatory, requesting them helps prevent future disputes.
Increase in drink and drugs misuse
Research shows one in five managers report increased alcohol misuse in their workplace, while 16% note rising drug abuse. Employers should establish clear drug and alcohol policies covering cannabis reclassification, legal implications, and fair procedures for suspected substance misuse.
Mobile working
Mobile working enables businesses to support flexible, productive workforces while reducing costs. Outsourcing mobile infrastructure and managed services eliminates expensive in-house investments and provides secure, scalable access to business applications and email from anywhere.
New dispute resolution legislation
New dispute resolution legislation comes into force on 1 October 2004, establishing minimum procedures for disciplinary, dismissal, and grievance matters. Employers must follow prescribed procedures or face automatic unfair dismissal claims, while employees must attempt internal grievance resolution before pursuing tribunal claims.
HR Tip – Return to work interviews
Return to work interviews are an effective tool for reducing absenteeism, but if you doubt an employee’s explanation for absence, you must handle any disciplinary action separately with a formal investigation and hearing, not issue warnings during the interview itself.
Employers set to ‘lose control’ over retirement
Employers shifting to defined contribution pensions risk losing control over retirement timing as survey data shows only 3% believe members understand funding requirements. With average contributions of 10% of salary falling short of expected retirement benefits, employees may need to work into their 70s or 80s to achieve adequate pensions.
Review: Cool Search
“Cool Search” examines how organizations can attract and retain Millennials (born after 1980), a generation raised on the Internet with distinct attitudes toward work and lifestyle. The book argues that companies must fundamentally redesign workplace practices, communication strategies, and flexibility to engage this digitally native demographic shaped by exposure to technology and consumer culture.
Third of managers fail to discuss disputes before tribunal
More than a third of managers failed to discuss workplace disputes with employees before taking cases to employment tribunal, according to a DTI survey. New regulations coming in October will require employers and employees to attempt resolving disputes through formal procedures before pursuing tribunal claims, aiming to reduce unnecessary litigation and costs.
Employee communication ruined by ‘confusing’ portals
Many corporate employee portals are confusing and lack personalization, making it difficult for workers to find relevant information. Companies are now upgrading portals with role-based personalization, smart search capabilities, and internal blogs to improve usability and align employees with organizational goals.
Hands on approach to staff retention
Improve staff retention by strengthening internal communications. Poor communication, stress, and feeling undervalued drive employee turnover, causing financial losses and operational disruption. A hands-on approach involving two-way dialogue and consistent messaging helps companies maintain loyalty and workplace morale.
