Workers oppose moves to end UK working time opt-out
Seven out of ten workers who work more than 48 hours a week do so largely as a result of their own choice rather than employer compulsion, according to new research.The CIPD survey of over 750 long hours workers, ‘Calling Time on Working Time?’, also finds scant evidence of any employer abuse of the opt-out […]
Office workers’ worst habits revealed!
Chuckling at the boss’s poor jokes and munching lunch loudly at the desk are the two worst habits of UK office workers, according to new research.Other bad habits reported in the poll of 988 customers, conducted by insurance broker Quoteline Direct, were not re-stocking the fax paper, talking too loudly on the phone, repeating ‘what […]
Landmark stress case highlights employers’ responsibilities
Controversy over workplace stress and the legal consequences seems likely to continue following a new House of Lords decision that re-states the principles that apply to cases of workplace stress. In Barber v Somerset County Council, their Lordships ruled in favour of Mr Barber, a former teacher, overturning the Court of Appeal’s decision made on […]
Learning at Work Day
This year’s Learning at Work Day is set to take place on 20 May.Organisers, Campaign for Learning, hope to surpass the success of the 2002 event when one million employees were given the chance to break from routine and try their hand at something new.Susie Parson, Campaign for Learning chief executive said: “Every year’s Learning […]
Firms still in the dark over employing Reservists
Thousands of UK businesses do not know if they employ one of the country’s 38,000 military Reservists, according to new research published today. In addition, despite the mobilisation of almost 10,000 Reservists since January 2003, employers are still unaware of their rights and obligations when it comes to employing a Reservist.On 1 April 2004 a […]
How Did I Get Here? Stevan Rolls, Ernst & Young
Stevan Rolls explains his career path which led to him becoming National Director of Resourcing at Ernst & Young.All the previous career profiles can also be seen in the special How Did I Get Here? page. Current job titleNational Director of ResourcingDescribe your initial training within the professionMasters and PhD in Applied psychology plus various […]
BAA rolls out new LMS
Airport company BAA has implemented a new learning management system across seven major UK airports, to help maintain safety standards and meet aviator regulations. BAA said it needed a method of managing delivery of all training, while at the same time constantly assessing the acquisition and application of knowledge, skills and accredited competencies. Once a […]
Employer protection when hooliganism kicks off
With the approaching exodus of British football fans to Portugal this summer for Euro 2004, employers should consider where they stand when it comes to their employees’ behaviour out of the office. Paula Cole, Partner with Beachcroft Wansbroughs’ national Employment practice summarises the extent to which employers can penalise an employee’s actions out of the […]
Employers should “come down hard on bullies”
Premiership soccer ace Andy Cole is setting a good example for employees who feel bullied by their boss, according to employment law experts.Blackburn Rovers striker Cole complained to the Professional Footballers Association (PFA) that he has been singled out for unfair treatment by boss Graeme Souness. Soccer chiefs are investigating the row.“From an employers perspective, […]
Moves to speed up equal pay cases announced
Plans to streamline equal value tribunal cases that will help cut down the time cases take has been announced. These tribunal cases involve workers claiming equal pay on the basis that they are doing work of equal value to that of someone of the opposite sex, rather than the same or a similar job. Currently […]
In dispute – out of pocket?
With new dispute resolution regulations due to come into force later this year, Nichola Upperton-Evans, partner at Rowe Cohen Solicitors warns employers to prepare for the new legislation. The Employment Act 2002 (Dispute Resolution) Regulations 2004 are due to come into force this Autumn. The purpose of this legislation is to impose a minimum standard […]
CSR activities aid retention and boost performance
High performing businesses show a strong correlation between Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities and stronger performance in terms of productivity and profitability than other businesses, according to new research. The report, Achieving High Performance: CSR at the Heart of Business, published today, argues that there is now strong evidence to indicate that building CSR activities […]
Firms failing to align business strategy with HR
Firms are failing to align their managers' personal goals and reward packages with the strategic people management objectives of their organisations, according to research published today. The IRS research, based on a survey of 49 public and private sector organisations, found that while senior managers' goals and reward packages are closely linked to the delivery […]
HR Tip – Moonlighting
HRD & Payroll Solutions continues to bring HR Zone members a range of HR tips. This week’s tip looks at moonlighting. Q: One of our employees works in a night club. Can we stop him from doing so?A: You need to consider three things: First, the employee’s right to freedom in his private life. Banning […]
HR is burdened with cost control issues
In three-quarters of UK companies, budget for staff is spread widely across many different departments making cost control a daily burden for heads of HR, says new research investigating human capital management control in Britain’s biggest companies. Companies are failing to control employment costs, according to the Professional Staff Solutions research which found that poor […]
How Did I Get Here? Joanne Darling, Cooper Parry
As part of our How Did I Get Here? series, Joanne Darling, Senior HR Consultant at Cooper Parry, outlines her career path with roles including Personnel Officer and Employee Resourcing and Overseas Liaison Manager within the car industry (Peugeot).Current job titleSenior HR ConsultantDescribe your initial training within the profession Human Resource Management was a core […]
Final Dispute Resolution Regulations published
The final version of the Employment Act (Dispute Resolution) Regulations 2004 have been approved by Parliament. The Regulations introduce new statutory minimum dismissal and disciplinary procedures and statutory minimum grievance procedures to encourage the resolution of disputes in the workplace.The new provisions will come into force on 1 October 2004.In January, ACAS published its new […]
80% of over 50s have experienced ‘ageist rejection’
Four out of five people over 50 feel their job applications have been rejected solely because of their age, and nearly half say employer perceptions are their major barrier, according to new research.Yet 48% of the 3000 over 50s surveyed hope to work on past the State Pension Age (SPA) according to the research by […]
Staff at BAE Systems bring teenagers to work
BAE Systems put its own twist on a national initiative to help youngsters make choices about their future careers by encouraging its employees to bring their teenagers to work for a day.The event, held yesterday, was based around a campaign organised by the Girl Guides called Bring a Daughter to Work Day, but BAE Systems […]
2004-2005 tax rates and allowances
Take a look at the Inland Revenue tax rates and allowances, National Insurance Contributions and other tax and duty rates for 2004-2005. Rates and allowances for income tax, corporation tax, capital gains tax, inheritance tax, stamp taxes and the pension schemes earnings cap are set in this document.The following leaflet has also been updated:IR64 – […]
