Removal of retirement age will increase health costs
Over half of all firms who provide health insurance to staff feel that any increase or removal of the retirement age would result in greater costs to their business in the form of higher premiums, claims a new survey. The research published today by Manpower also suggests that the proposed changes to employment regulations that […]
HR using job evaluation to deal with equal pay audits
Employers are turning to the tried and tested technique of job evaluation as a way of dealing with pressure to conduct equal pay audits, new research claims.Though critics have claimed the technique is bureaucratic and a “bogus science”, the IRS research shows that it has taken on a new lease of life – particularly in […]
Pay settlements remain stable
With the busy New Year pay round just getting under way, early indications are that basic pay settlements will remain around the 3% mark. In the final three months of last year, the median basic pay award – the midpoint in the range – was 3% according to the independent IRS Pay Databank. This was […]
Ensure staff are warm in ‘big freeze’, employers warned
With Britain enduring its ‘big freeze’, retail trade union Usdaw is reminding employers of their obligations to ensure staff are warm.Employers have a duty, under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, to maintain a “reasonable temperature” in the workplace. Although it doesn’t specify temperatures, the Code of Practice says 16ºC, or 13ºC for […]
Softworld HR & Payroll preview – Educational programme
Softworld HR & Payroll will be taking place on 20-21 October 2004 Hall 12, NEC, Birmingham. As sponsors of the event, HR Zone will be publishing a range of updates and news from the event before, during and after it takes place. Take a look at the breakfast briefings and masterclasses available at Softworld HR […]
HR Tip – Suspension from work
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: In what circumstances are we entitled to suspend employees from work, with or without pay? A: You may suspend someone from work for a reasonable period at any time provided you continue […]
Northgate acquires Rebus HR
The acquisition of Rebus HR Group by Northgate Information Solutions has transformed the company into the market leader in the £700m UK HR and payroll market. Northgate will continue to support both companies existing product lines under the Northgate name. Chris Stone, Chief Executive of Northgate Information Solutions, said: "Although this is a sizeable acquisition, […]
Any Answers questions on employment law
To tie in with the launch of HR Zone's new employment law zone, we've highlighted a selection of useful employment law questions that have been answered in the Any Answers area of the site. Does anyone know if equal pay law covers two people doing exactly the same job in different NHS trusts?Helen MathewsRead the […]
Overworked employees and stress claims
There have been some interesting developments in the area of stress claims. The latest decisions highlight the numerous difficulties for individuals in pursuing such claims. Matthew Gingell of Webster Dixon examines the current legal position and assesses the implications from the employer’s perspective. Court claims Claims in negligenceAll employees have a duty to take reasonable […]
HR Zone Review of Regulations
2003 was a busy year for HR professionals as a number of new employment law developments emerged. This handy reminder, drawn from content which appeared on HR Zone in the last few months, will help you comply with the key regulations. For very recent and forthcoming employment law developments, take a look at the news […]
New employment tribunal compensation levels
Under the Employment Rights (Increase of Limits) Order 2003, from 1 February 2004 there will be increased levels of compensation available in the employment tribunal.The most notable increases are: Maximum amount of “a week’s pay” for thepurpose of calculating a basic or additional award of compensation for unfair dismissal or redundancy payments will rise from […]
Volunteering opportunities may help to raise morale
Stephen Timms, Minister for Corporate Social Responsibility, is calling for more companies to get involved in volunteering in the workplace.“People want to be addressing social and environmental challenges in the context of their work,” he said. “They don’t want to inhabit a kind of split world where in one part of their lives they keep […]
Sourcing and selecting talent – making it work for you
As organisations constantly seek to ‘do more with less’ the need to source the right talent into your organisation has never been more important. Reducing the ‘luck’ factor is a key ingredient of doing this right. Chris Parsons, Director of organisation development consultancy, 7days, provides some useful insights into what can be done to make […]
Online recruitment trends
New research dispels the myth that the Web is the domain of graduates and first jobbers. Research from totaljobs.com found that 28% of online jobseekers are aged 40 and above, whilst the average age of online jobseekers is 34. The survey, completed by 9745 jobseekers, also found that over a third of online jobseekers are […]
Public sector organisations join forces to tackle recruitment challenges
Three public sector organisations in the North East of England have joined forces to solve the recruitment challenges facing them all, through a new project called ‘The Gateshead Partnership’. Gateshead Council, Gateshead Health NHS Trust and Gateshead Primary Care Trust are three of the largest organisations in the area, employing more than 15,000 people in […]
New CoP on disciplinary and grievance procedures
ACAS has published its new draft Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures. This will replace the existing Code of Practice and it incorporates the minimum statutory and disciplinary procedures set out in the Employment Act 2002.The new draft Code, which you can access here, takes account of the statutory procedures due to come […]
Dispute resolution conclusions published
The Government has set out its final conclusions for the new mandatory dispute resolution procedures which come into force in October 2004. Failure by an employer to follow the mandatory disciplinary procedures will render a dismissal automatically unfair and lead to an increase in compensation for employees. Failure by an employee to lodge a grievance […]
HR Tip – Informing employees of new legislation
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: Do we have a responsibility to make employees aware of new employment legislation? A: No, you do not. However, it is usually in your own best interest to do so. New legislation […]
How can talent management systems aid recruitment and retention?
‘Talent management’ has been edging its way into the limelight with the ever increasing pressure for companies to combat recruitment and retention issues. Eudie Thompson of Zynap argues that talent management software renders an answer to recruitment and retention and explains how a talent management system can be effectively used.Every year, UK companies fail to […]
How Did I Get Here? Jessica Diggins, The Chartered Management Institute
Jessica Diggins, HR Manager for the Chartered Management Institute, spills the beans on her HR career to date. What’s your current job role?I’ve just joined the Chartered Management Institute as HR Manager. My responsibilities include the development of training programmes for 135 staff. I will also the lead the organisation’s recruitment programme and manage the […]
