Disability discrimination laws to be extended in 2004
Minister for Disabled People, Maria Eagle, today called time on discrimination against disabled people in society.As the Government published a review of what it has achieved during European Year of Disabled People, Maria Eagle said: “2004 looks set to be a watershed in terms of civil rights for disabled people. From October, service providers will […]
HR Tip – Deductions from wages for scooter loan
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: The boss has agreed to give an employee a loan to buy a motor scooter because he says he has difficulty getting to work. The loan is to be repaid by regular […]
Managing the ‘psychological contract’
HR has a vital role in maintaining or rebuilding the ‘psychological contract’ between employees and the organisation following a merger, acquisition or other form of major change, says Valerie Garrow, Principal Researcher, Roffey Park Institute and author of a new report, Managing on the edge: Psychological Contracts in Transition. Here she provides examples of three […]
Managers resolve to spend less time at work
More time off has been cited as the top New Year’s resolution among British managers.A survey by the Chartered Management Institute of 2400 managers found that 58% intended to spend less time in the workplace in 2004. Regional differences were stark with 87% of respondents in Scotland registering their intention to work less, compared to […]
A stress-free life is on employees’ New Year wish list
The top priority on UK workers’ New Year wish lists is likely to be less stress at work, indicates new research.94% of the 594 respondents to the Hewitt Bacon & Woodrow survey admitted that work causes them stress. Half of the employees said having ‘too much to do and not enough time to do it […]
Sector Based Immigration Scheme – 6 months on…
Stephen Kerr, head of immigration and visa services for Deloitte in Scotland & Northern Ireland looks at the Sector Based Immigration scheme and the effects and results it has had in the six months since its introduction.On 30 May 2003, the Government introduced new opportunities to work in the UK. In so doing, it recognised […]
Court says employment status must be considered in the round
Emerging Markets Partnership (Europe) LTD v BachnakCourt of Appeal19 December 2003The Court of Appeal has held that where an ’employee’ enters into two contracts with the ’employer’, one (without any remuneration) in a traditional employee/employer relationship, and the other (with remuneration to the limited company) through the intermediary of a one-man limited company, an employment […]
How Did I Get Here? Linda Klassen-Brown, The Logic Group Enterprises Ltd
Linda Klassen-Brown, Group HR Manager for The Logic Group Enterprises Ltd, describes her HR career to date. What’s your current job role?I am currently the Group HR Manager for The Logic Group Enterprises Ltd, comprising 3 operating companies in the IT Sector – Retail Logic, Commslogic and Loyalty Logic specialising in payment card processing, loyalty/CRM […]
Top tips for retaining employees
Forget Christmas cheer, there is a more pressing mood that employers should get in tune with and that is employee ambition. The hard-nosed boss is meeting his match with the rise of the hard-nosed employee. This new breed of worker single-mindedly pursues their own career path so much so that one in three starts looking […]
How to successfully induct a new graduate
Richard Phillips at MaST International outlines the key elements that make graduate inductions successful.The first year of a graduate recruit is one of the most crucial periods of time for organisations and the graduates they employ. It is the first in-depth experience most graduates will have of their new employer. Most businesses will expect a […]
HR Tip – Children on site at weekend
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: One of our electricians often brings his two children into the factory whilst doing maintenance work at the weekend. He says it is good experience for them and that in any case […]
Redundancy is biggest headache for HR
Managing redundancy tops this year’s list of HR concerns, with fair processes of dismissal and assistance in calculating redundancy payments causing the most headaches, according to Croner Consulting, who said that one in ten calls to their helpline were related to redundancy issues. The average compensation award is £5917, but in some cases has been […]
Bonuses are back and the fat cats get fatter
With December the traditional month for end of year bonuses, one stereotype that appears to be true is that senior managers benefit most.Of the three quarters of British employers that operate bonus schemes, management is still the most likely to benefit, only 38% use them across the entire workforce, according to a survey of 365 […]
Sunday premiums may breach discrimination law
Employers who pay wage premiums to staff working on a Sunday could be acting in breach of the new religious discrimination laws. Alan Lewis, head of employment law at Manchester based law firm, George Davies, said that Sunday is recognised as the Christian Sabbath day and for that reason an incentive is usually offered to […]
Seasonal HR and payroll issues
Seasonal working is an issue that impacts on both HR and payroll departments. For some businesses, Christmas can see an increase of up to 60% in staffing numbers for as little as 6-8 weeks. At other times of the year, extra employees may be required for leisure activities in the summer or for seasonal agricultural […]
Employing young workers
New regulations have come into force that affect young people in the period between school leaving age and legal adulthood at the age of 18. Employment law specialist Nichola Upperton-Evans, a partner at Rowe Cohen, offers guidelines to employers trying to navigate the shifting sands of adolescents' employment legislation. Many industries and sectors have come […]
Employee engagement
Bill Quirke, Managing Director of Synopsis Communication Consulting, argues that leaders need to build stronger relationships with their employees to establish a firm foundation of trust. In a world of turbulence and uncertainty, the job of leaders setting the direction and taking people with them is challenging. With tough markets, uncertain demand and increasing competition, […]
HR Tip – what should I do about workplace affairs?
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: A woman in my department is having an affair with a married man who works in another department. I and one or two of my staff thoroughly disapprove of this. What can […]
Chancellor pledges £190m to Employer Training Pilots
The number of Employer Training Pilots is to be increased by a third after Chancellor Gordon Brown announced a £190m boost for the scheme.ETPs will launch in a further six local Learning and Skills Council areas, bringing the total to 18. The six areas have yet to be anounced.The pilots, launched in 2002, aim to […]
Government announces employer-supported childcare reforms
The Government has today announced, in the Pre-Budget report, that the tax and National Insurance treatment of employer-supported childcare will be reformed from April 2005, with draft legislation expected in January 2004.Chancellor, Gordon Brown said: “For every employee whatever their income level, employers will be able – as long as the offer is made to […]
