Firms ‘breaking the law’ over bank holiday rights
A survey reveals that 21% of British employers may be breaking the law by denying part-time workers equal bank holiday rights compared to full-time staff. Under UK employment regulations, part-timers must receive fair treatment regarding holidays, pay, and benefits. Employers are advised to review policies to ensure compliance or risk compensation claims.
Review: Management Teams
Management Teams by R. Meredith Belbin is an essential guide for anyone building effective collaborative teams. Belbin’s research-backed framework explains how to select team members, understand group dynamics, and optimize performance through nine distinct team roles, making it indispensable for HR professionals and organizational leaders.
How Did I Get Here? Adrian Glynn, Wilkins Kennedy
Adrian Glynn, HR Director at Wilkins Kennedy, shares his career journey from management accounting to human resources, including roles in engineering, aerospace, and the space industry. He credits a early mentor and experiential learning with shaping his leadership approach focused on helping colleagues reach their potential.
Flexible working – one year on
One year after flexible working legislation came into force, nearly three-quarters of employers have received requests for flexible arrangements, yet most believe the law has had minimal business impact. Employers anticipate increased demand for flexible working over the next three years, with enhanced maternity provisions proving effective for staff retention.
Report calls for extension of right to request to work flexibly
A new report finds many employers misunderstand or ignore flexible working rights legislation. Researchers recommend removing age restrictions, converting requests to a guaranteed right, and increasing penalties for non-compliance. Enhanced employer training and childcare cost solutions are also needed.
Workers oppose moves to end UK working time opt-out
A CIPD survey of long-hours workers finds that seven in ten work extended hours by choice rather than employer pressure, with only 35% supporting removal of the UK working time opt-out clause that allows exceeding the 48-hour weekly limit.
Office workers’ worst habits revealed!
A new UK survey reveals the most annoying office worker habits, with fake laughter at boss’s jokes and loud desk lunching topping the list of workplace pet peeves.
Landmark stress case highlights employers’ responsibilities
The House of Lords landmark decision in Barber v Somerset County Council establishes that employers have a duty to take proactive steps when employees report occupational stress, including making sympathetic inquiries and implementing reasonable precautions based on current knowledge of workplace stress.
Learning at Work Day
Learning at Work Day takes place on 20 May, encouraging organisations of all sizes to offer employees opportunities to develop new skills and explore different learning approaches. The Campaign for Learning initiative aims to reach more workers than the one million who participated in 2002.
Firms still in the dark over employing Reservists
Many UK employers don’t know if they employ military Reservists or understand their legal obligations regarding mobilisation. A new MOD “Employer Notification” scheme launching April 1, 2004, will automatically inform employers when staff are Reserve Force members, helping clarify rights and responsibilities.
How Did I Get Here? Stevan Rolls, Ernst & Young
Stevan Rolls describes his career path to becoming National Director of Resourcing at Ernst & Young, including his education in applied psychology, roles at major firms like Arthur Andersen and Ford, and how the firm’s collapse led to his opportunity at EY.
BAA rolls out new LMS
BAA has implemented a new learning management system across seven major UK airports to maintain safety standards and meet Civil Aviation Authority regulations. The Saba Enterprise Learning Suite enables BAA employees, including firefighters, to access training records and manage competency assessments required for rescue and firefighting personnel.
Employer protection when hooliganism kicks off
Employers can dismiss employees for football hooliganism conducted outside work if the behavior is public, impacts job performance, or damages the business reputation. However, fair dismissal procedures and human rights protections still apply, even for criminal convictions outside the workplace.
Employers should “come down hard on bullies”
Employment law experts say employers should take bullying complaints seriously and investigate them promptly. Andy Cole’s complaint against his manager demonstrates how formal grievance procedures help protect workers and shield companies from legal liability.
Moves to speed up equal pay cases announced
Plans to streamline equal value tribunal cases aim to reduce processing times from up to two years to six to nine months. The proposals include introducing case management timelines and creating a pool of specially trained tribunal chairs to cut delays and help workers resolve equal pay claims faster.
In dispute – out of pocket?
New dispute resolution regulations coming into force this autumn will require all employers to have mandatory disciplinary and grievance procedures in place. The regulations aim to resolve workplace disputes before they reach employment tribunals, potentially reducing applications by 30,000-40,000 annually and saving employers £60m-£80m yearly.
CSR activities aid retention and boost performance
Research shows that integrating Corporate Social Responsibility into business strategy significantly boosts productivity, profitability, and employee retention. Companies with strong CSR practices outperform others by up to 40%, while employees are more likely to stay with organizations they perceive as responsible employers.
Firms failing to align business strategy with HR
Many organisations fail to align manager incentives and rewards with HR strategy objectives, despite linking them to broader business goals. Research from 49 public and private sector firms shows that while 69% partially reflect strategic priorities in HR budgets, only six in ten base HR strategies on organisational plans, risking competitive disadvantage.
HR Tip – Moonlighting
Employers cannot ban employees from moonlighting unless it directly impacts job performance or violates working time regulations. Consider the employee’s right to private work, assess fitness for their primary role, and ensure combined hours don’t exceed 48 weekly.
HR is burdened with cost control issues
Three-quarters of UK companies struggle with HR cost control because staff budgets are fragmented across departments, leading to millions in wasted employment costs due to poor recruitment processes and weak workforce visibility.
