Graduate recruitment trends
There is guarded optimism over graduate vacancies – with the outlook in some sectors rosier than last year, according to the Graduate Trends Survey 2003/4, by graduate careers publishers GTI. The study of 500 companies found that in most sectors, students responded to a challenging market by delaying their applications, often until after graduation.Key findings: […]
New employment agency regulations
The Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations will be coming into force on 6 April 2004. Rachael Heenan, Associate with Beachcroft Wansbroughs’ national Employment practice, summarises the main changes. It is estimated that around 700,000 agency workers and 17,000 agencies and employment businesses in the UK will be affected by the new rules. […]
Top 10 Any Answers postings in 2003
In 2003, HR Zone members posted a total of 547 questions and 1252 answers – double the number posted in 2002! So, what were the hot topics that members were discussing in 2003? Here’s a round-up of some of the most popular ones… Does a large HR department really add any value in the recruitment […]
Consultation on working time
The European Commission has opened a consultation on working time with a view to future revision of the legislation. It is concerned about the definition and calculation of working time and of the “opt-out”, which allows individuals to waive their rights under the Working Time Directive. More Member States are making use of the opt-out […]
2004 set to bring tougher recruitment challenges
Recruitment and retention of skilled staff remains HR’s biggest challenge with 9 out of 10 organisations reporting difficulties in filling vacancies in 2003 – compared with three-quarters in 2002, according to a review of HR prospects.The CIPD reports that 54% of organisations cite ‘skill shortages’ and ‘finding applicants with suitable experience’ the most common reasons […]
Don’t wait for age discrimination legislation – act now!
One in five people have been discouraged from applying for a job because it contained an age restriction, according to a new report from the CIPD, The Challenge of the Age, to be published later this month. Although age prejudice is much worse for people over 40, one in 12 under-35s have been told they […]
HR admits to lack of awareness over diversity
A staggering 69% of HR staff are not aware of the new diversity legislation and only 10% have been trained for it, a new survey claims.The survey of 293 HR managers and executives from the public and private sector, by fuel Group, an e-learning specialist, was carried out between 7 and 19 December 2003, just […]
Minimum wage for young workers
The minimum wage may be extended to 16 and 17-year-olds, according to a report in The Independent. Apparently, ministers are considering including an extension of the minimum wage in the Labour Party’s next election manifesto. The new minimum wage for young workers is likely to be less than the present £3.80 hourly rate for workers […]
Paternity leave may be extended to six months
New fathers could be given six months off work to care for their babies.Since April, new mothers have been entitled to higher maternity pay for six months and six months’ unpaid extra leave, bringing the total to a year. However, according to a report in the Times, the Trade and Industry Secretary is considering allowing […]
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 […]
