Draft Disability Bill published
The draft Disability Bill, mentioned in last week’s Queen’s Speech, was published today.The draft Bill contains measures which would: introduce a legal duty on public bodies to promote disability equality – similar to the duty to promote race equality – which will place a requirement on public bodies to produce clear policies and action plans […]
Data protection code issued on workers’ health
The Information Commissioner, Richard Thomas, has today issued a draft of the fourth, and final, part of his Employment Practices Data Protection Code – Information About Workers’ Health – for a three month period of public consultation. The Code aims to give employers clear and practical guidance about how to comply with data protection law […]
Employers get staff to pay for Christmas celebrations
Organisations across the UK are failing to reward their staff at Christmas, but employees are creating their own festive cheer, according to a new survey.The research conducted amongst 2400 managers by the Chartered Management Institute, reveals that despite expectations, almost 80% of organisations no longer give a Christmas bonus and more than half require staff […]
Employment Bill to promote a “no surprises” culture at work
The Employment Relations Bill was introduced in the House of Commons yesterday. The Bill, announced in the Queen’s Speech last week, is the result of an evidence-based review of the Employment Relations Act 1999, which ended yesterday with the publication of the Government’s conclusionsThe Bill would implement the TUC/CBI framework agreement on Information and Consultation, […]
How Did I Get Here? James Brooks, ServiRail Limited
James Brooks (known as Jim), HR Manager for the “Times 100 Fastest Growing Company”, ServiRail Limited, describes his HR career to date. What’s your current job role?HR Manager for the “Times 100 Fastest Growing Company”, ServiRail Limited. I commenced as HR Consultant and was asked to take the role permanently in August. It is a […]
Front line managers are key to business success
Well-trained, effective frontline managers are the bedrock of business success, according to new research. In a study that interviewed 1000 employees, the CIPD found that front line managers (FLM) – defined as those with first line responsibility for a work group of 10-25 people – had a huge impact on over-all organisational performance. The CIPD […]
How Did I Get Here? Andrew Mayo, London Business School
Andrew Mayo, a frequent speaker and writer on HR issues, has a professorship in Human Capital Management and his roles have included Director of People Development for the ICL Group. Here he describes his HR career to date. What's your current job role?My current job role is Varied Portfolio Manager! I have five main strands […]
Tips for a stress free office Christmas party
Pauline Penbry, Employment Services Manager for First Assist, highlights the problems associated with the office Christmas party and offers advice on how to make sure the seasonal festivities go off without a hitch. Christmas is coming and along with it come the parties, the conga, and the drunken encounters with the photocopier. This is the […]
Number of tribunal awards up by a quarter
Last year saw a sharp increase – 57% – in the number of awards made by tribunals in cases involving dismissal on grounds of pregnancy, according to new research. The findings, published in the journal Equal Opportunities Review, also revealed that in 2002 employment tribunals awarded compensation totalling £6.41 million in cases of unlawful discrimination […]
New employment laws come into force
New laws to prevent discrimination in the workplace on grounds of sexual orientation or religion come into force this week. The Sexual Orientation Regulations become law in Great Britain today, 1 December and the Religion or Belief Regulations tomorrow, 2 December.Jacqui Smith, Deputy Minister for Women and Equality said: “This new legislation will establish minimum […]
‘High performance working’ boosts productivity by 20%
Firms must promote widespread adoption of High Performance Working (HPW) if they are to maximise their productivity performance, a new report says. The study, 'Maximising Employee Potential and Business Performance – The Role of High Performance Working', by the EEF, the manufacturers' organisation, and the CIPD, demonstrates how UK manufacturing companies that introduce HPW can […]
Queen’s speech – key points for HR
The Queen has announced the legislative programme for the next parliamentary session. For the business community there were several points of interest including a Pensions Bill and the Employment Relations Act 1999. There was no provision, however, for the so called Corporate Killing Act. Pensions Bill The government has set a target to restore confidence […]
Drug testing on workers is “unjustified and degrading”
Over zealous employers have come under attack for rushing to test their staff for drugs, with the TUC claiming that drug testing is “an intrusive and unproven science”.The TUC argues that the law does not give enough protection to workers against the increasing use of “unjustified and degrading” testing by employers for drugs and drink […]
HR Tip – attitude problems
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 my employees has an attitude problem that I would like to resolve, but there is nothing I can really discipline him for. He uses bad language, walks into my office […]
Sexual orientation discrimination
Michael Ferguson of Webster Dixon solicitors looks at the implications of the new sexual orientation legislation that comes into force on 1 December. In 1999, a TUC survey found that 44% of lesbian, gay and bisexual trade union members considered that they had been discriminated against at work because of their sexual orientation. Although, in […]
Employers of the Year 2003
Winners of this year’s Employer of the year Awards presented today by Gerry Sutcliffe, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Employment Relations, range from a small engineering company in the West Midlands and a London computer training company, the Central Scotland Forest Trust, a Job Centre Plus and a borough council, to a large City […]
Employee computer schemes
The Government has recently set up ‘The Home Computing Initiative Advisory Board’ to encourage employers to provide tax-advantaged home computing schemes. David Chandler of Computers for Staff explains how providing such a benefit works and the advantages for both employers and employees. In all of the talk about tax rises since 1997, increased employment costs […]
European anti-discrimination law
Employers are increasingly concerned at the likely impact of new EU anti-discrimination legislation. Many express ignorance of the consequence for employers. Under the new regime each member state has pledged to harmonise the implementation of anti-discrimination laws and to be proactive in “levelling up” rather than “levelling down” employee rights. One consequence is that employees […]
How Did I Get Here? Jean-Bertrand de Lartigue , HR2all Ltd
New member, Jean-Bertrand de Lartigue, describes his route into HR. What’s your current job role?I am the Chairman of HR2all Ltd, a company that provides a one stop shop environment for HR technology, products and services.What did you do before this job?I worked for Motorola for 22 years in various positions in general management and […]
Dealing with the religious discrimination regulations
The Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003 (RBRs) come into effect on 2 December 2003. Nicola Brown of Thomas Eggar offers legal and practical guidance on the new law that will apply throughout the employment relationship, from recruitment through to after the employment has ended. At first glance, most employers probably feel they do […]
