Firms urged to prepare a game plan for Euro 2004
Employers must prepare strategies now to prevent staff absences during Euro 2004, as a 2002 World Cup survey found four in ten football fans called in sick, costing businesses £391 million. Investors in People recommends flexible working options, adjusted schedules, and team-building activities to maintain productivity while accommodating employees’ interest in the tournament.
HR Tip – Recording disciplinary meetings
Keeping accurate records of disciplinary meetings is essential for HR professionals. If you struggle to listen, take notes, and think simultaneously, consider designating a note-taker or pausing the meeting periodically to document key points before continuing.
Review: Understanding Body Language
Understanding Body Language is a collection of 20 training activities in a loose-leaf binder designed to help trainers teach body language concepts including positioning, expressions, emotions, and assertiveness. The well-organized exercises work for multiple experience levels, though many activities are previously published and the paper format lacks digital alternatives.
How are you monitoring your workforce?
Most employers monitor ethnicity, gender, and disability, but few track sexual orientation or religious belief. An IRS survey of 75 HR departments reveals significant gaps in diversity monitoring practices, with most organizations tracking recruitment and selection processes while less than one-quarter monitor pay, promotion, and appraisal decisions.
Absent staff – less of a headache?
Workplace absence has increased for the first time in five years, yet HR departments rate absence management as less of a priority ahead. A survey reveals that return-to-work interviews, improved record-keeping, targeted action, and rehabilitation programs are the most effective techniques for managing absences across organizations.
Employers failing to evaluate management development
UK organisations are underinvesting in management development and failing to evaluate its effectiveness, according to research by the Chartered Management Institute. The study found British companies spend less than half what Germany invests per capita on training, with only half having formal management development policies and 27% conducting no systematic evaluation.
HR Tip – Searching employees
Learn how to legally search employees without violating their rights. Random searches require advance warning, proper procedures including private locations and same-gender searchers, and documented records to protect both employees and your organization.
Men struggling to strike right work-life balance
A new survey reveals that seven in ten men believe their work performance suffers from poor work-life balance, yet many struggle to achieve equilibrium despite prioritizing personal relationships and health. The findings show that regular exercise significantly boosts productivity, energy levels, and workplace confidence among men.
Guidance notes on disciplinary procedures
The DTI has released guidance notes on mandatory disciplinary and grievance procedures, effective 1 October 2004. These statutory dispute resolution guidelines are available on the DTI website to help employers and employees understand the new requirements.
“Protect and promote occupational pensions”, urges union
The GMB union is calling on the government to strengthen protections for occupational pensions, particularly final salary schemes, as evidence shows workers are increasingly turning to property investment as an alternative retirement strategy.
Review: Managing Information: Core Management
Managing Information: Core Management covers information systems, finance, and statistics at an introductory level for CIPD syllabuses. This comprehensive guide suits HR and business students needing foundational knowledge across these three critical management areas.
Opinion: Bridget Biggar on performance management
Bridget Biggar argues that managers should focus on recognizing and developing employees’ strengths rather than forcing them to fix weaknesses. Building complementary teams and matching people to roles suited to their abilities drives productivity and motivation far more effectively than imposing management will.
Advertorial: An open and shut case for Home Computing Initiatives
Home Computing Initiative schemes offer UK organisations a tax-efficient way to provide computers to employees, with government support, salary sacrifice options, and comprehensive supplier networks making implementation straightforward and cost-effective for businesses of all sizes.
Line managers failing to communicate effectively
Only one in nine HR professionals rate their line managers’ communication as good or very good, with key gaps including poor upward communication of team concerns, lack of leadership presence, and insufficient understanding of employee needs. Few organizations measure manager communication performance or define clear communication competencies.
Managing absence: Group Income Protection
Group Income Protection (GIP) provides income replacement for employees unable to work due to illness or disability, typically covering 50-75% of salary after a waiting period. It enables employers to retain staff while exploring work reintegration opportunities, though coverage remains limited to only 6-7% of UK employees.
Sample email policy
A sample email policy template covering employee guidelines for email usage, including access rights, permanent record considerations, proper deletion procedures, signature requirements, and professional etiquette standards in the workplace.
New fire regulations place more responsibility on employers
New fire regulations shift responsibility to employers to conduct their own fire risk assessments instead of relying on government-issued Fire Certificates. Businesses must now hire external consultants to identify and mitigate fire hazards, with penalties for non-compliance coming into force in 2005.
Health and safety FAQs
The Health and Safety Executive provides updated FAQs covering essential workplace topics like working alone and risk assessments, with detailed answers and free downloadable resources for businesses.
HR Tip – Misconduct or incapability?
Determine whether poor employee performance is misconduct or incapability by examining evidence and discussing with the employee. “Can’t do” issues require training and support, while “won’t do” cases warrant disciplinary action.
How Did I Get Here? Laurence Collins, Ceridian HR Consulting
Laurence Collins, HR Consulting Director at Ceridian, shares his career journey from professional services marketing to leading HR consulting. Originally trained as a marketer, he discovered that strategic frameworks from marketing could transform HR consulting, subsequently building expertise through global HR, benefits, and change management roles.
