Organisations failing to calculate turnover costs
Most organisations fail to calculate staff turnover costs, with only 12% able to estimate expenses, according to CIPD research. Labour turnover averaged 16.1% in 2002, costing UK employers £4,301 per leaver, yet many overlook the full direct and indirect expenses of employee departures.
Businesses to get help with Employers’ Liability Insurance
The Government has announced measures to help businesses manage Employers’ Liability Insurance costs, including vocational rehabilitation frameworks, faster claims resolution pilots, and fixed-fee scheme proposals. Immediate steps include delaying NHS charge recovery for one year and reviewing insurance requirements for small single-owner companies.
‘Corporate killing’ bill by end December
The UK Home Office committed to publishing a draft “Corporate Killing” bill by December 2003, which would create a new offence allowing prosecution of companies for deaths caused by serious management failures, making it easier to hold large corporations accountable for workplace fatalities.
HR Tip – disabled workers
Employers cannot refuse disabled applicants based on assumptions about their abilities. The Disability Discrimination Act requires reasonable adjustments to the work environment, such as providing assistive equipment or modifying tasks, to enable disabled employees to perform their roles effectively.
Employee Assistance Programme case study
East London and The City Mental Health NHS Trust implemented an Employee Assistance Programme to provide confidential support for its 1,600+ staff. The HR Director credits the EAP’s 24-hour counseling service with improving employee wellbeing and workplace morale while addressing issues like bullying and harassment.
Draft Disability Bill published
The government has published a draft Disability Bill that introduces a legal duty on public bodies to promote disability equality and expands protections to cover people with progressive conditions like HIV, MS, and cancer under the Disability Discrimination Act.
Data protection code issued on workers’ health
The Information Commissioner has issued a draft code on workers’ health data protection, providing employers with practical guidance on handling health information lawfully. The code covers occupational health schemes, medical testing, drug and alcohol testing, and genetic testing, with a public consultation period ending February 27, 2004.
Employers get staff to pay for Christmas celebrations
A UK survey reveals 80% of organizations no longer offer Christmas bonuses, and those hosting celebrations increasingly require employees to pay for them, with contributions ranging from £20 to more depending on region.
Employment Bill to promote a “no surprises” culture at work
The Employment Relations Bill aims to create a “no surprises” culture at work by requiring employers to inform and consult employees on management decisions affecting their future, including job prospects, redundancies, and organizational changes. The legislation also strengthens union recognition rights, improves protections for strike action and flexible working requests, and enhances minimum wage enforcement.
How Did I Get Here? James Brooks, ServiRail Limited
James Brooks, HR Manager at ServiRail Limited (a Times 100 Fastest Growing Company), shares his unconventional career path from military accountant to HR professional, including roles at National Grid, Dunlop, and Chubb Group, and explains how HR has evolved from administrative support to strategic boardroom function.
Front line managers are key to business success
Research shows that well-trained frontline managers significantly impact organizational performance and employee satisfaction. A CIPD study of 1000 employees found that how managers implement people management policies—through appraisals, coaching, and grievance handling—directly influences staff commitment and business results.
How Did I Get Here? Andrew Mayo, London Business School
Andrew Mayo, a Human Capital Management professor and frequent HR speaker, shares his varied career spanning 28 years in corporations, training roles, and consultancy work. He reflects on how HR has evolved and the importance of understanding business perspective beyond traditional HR functions.
Tips for a stress free office Christmas party
Learn how to organize a stress-free office Christmas party by setting clear guidelines on acceptable behavior, managing alcohol consumption, and addressing potential harassment issues before they occur.
Number of tribunal awards up by a quarter
Employment tribunals awarded £6.41 million in unlawful discrimination cases in 2002, a 65% increase from the previous year, with the number of awards rising 27% to 418. Sex discrimination accounted for more than half the total compensation, while pregnancy-related dismissal awards surged 57%.
New employment laws come into force
New workplace discrimination laws take effect this week in Great Britain, protecting employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation and religion or belief. The regulations establish minimum legal requirements ensuring equal opportunities in hiring, training, promotion, and protection from harassment.
‘High performance working’ boosts productivity by 20%
Research shows UK manufacturing firms adopting High Performance Working practices achieve 20% productivity increases. This comprehensive HR approach covers recruitment, training, job design, and performance management, though success requires strong management commitment and employee engagement.
Queen’s speech – key points for HR
The Queen’s speech outlined key legislation for businesses, including a Pensions Bill requiring employers to fund worker pension protection from 2005, and an Employment Relations Bill establishing worker councils for consultation on major decisions. A Corporate Killing Act was notably absent from the announcement.
Drug testing on workers is “unjustified and degrading”
The TUC criticizes workplace drug testing as intrusive and ineffective, calling it an unjustified invasion of privacy that doesn’t prove job performance. The union urges employers to replace random testing with support programs for employees struggling with substance issues.
HR Tip – attitude problems
Address employee attitude problems through documented conversations and clear expectations. Start with a discussion outlining specific concerns, then escalate to informal warnings if behavior doesn’t improve within weeks. Document all interactions to support potential disciplinary action or dismissal.
Sexual orientation discrimination
New UK employment legislation coming into force on 1 December 2003 makes sexual orientation discrimination unlawful for the first time. The Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations protect lesbian, gay and bisexual employees from discriminatory treatment in hiring, promotion, working conditions and dismissal.
