public sector management training
The public sector has historically undervalued management training compared to the commercial world, often promoting skilled professionals into management roles without adequate preparation. Growing awareness of management effectiveness gaps and government pressure are driving positive changes, including competence frameworks, external accreditation, and stronger performance evaluation in public sector management development.
Opinion piece: The Information and Consultation Directive
The Information and Consultation Directive aims to strengthen employee relations by requiring UK employers to implement formal consultation processes. When adopted effectively, the directive can enhance communication and create more motivated, productive workforces, though implementation may initially require significant organizational resources and strategic planning.
HR Tip – Time off work for funerals
UK employers must allow employees reasonable, unpaid time off for funerals of close family members, typically one to two days. Establish a clear company policy to ensure consistent treatment across managers and prevent resentment among staff.
How Did I Get Here? Roger Pattison, Roger Pattison & Associates
Roger Pattison, HR Training & Management Development Consultant at Roger Pattison & Associates, discusses his 7-year consulting career and 20+ year journey through training, management, and HR roles. He shares how gaining a Master’s in HRD shaped his approach and offers advice on succeeding in HR by prioritizing people skills and genuine listening.
Redundancy: HRZone asked HR Manager Ayshea Christian her advice
HR Manager Ayshea Christian advises that redundancy should be presented honestly on your CV, as it reflects genuine business reasons rather than personal shortcomings. She recommends seeking clarification from your employer, registering with outplacement services, and viewing redundancy as a potential career opportunity rather than purely negative.
Sabbaticals to combat workplace stress
Sabbaticals can help organizations combat workplace stress while rejuvenating employees and supporting long-term talent retention. According to the Chartered Management Institute, one in six organizations are seeing significant benefits from offering these extended breaks, which range from a few months to a year.
How an individual can be affected by redundancy
Redundancy can trigger emotional and financial crisis, affecting not only your self-worth but also relationships with family and partners. However, with the right support and mindset, it can become a transformative opportunity to reassess your life and create positive change.
Capital Radio – restructuring case study
Capital Radio undertook a radical restructure to centralise key functions across UK stations under four brands. Working with 7days, the company managed cultural challenges through face-to-face employee communications and a targeted change management programme for 140 managers, successfully embedding the new organisational structure.
Differences between public and private sector needs
Public sector organizations have distinct leadership development needs compared to private sector counterparts, but these differences are rapidly narrowing. Ashridge Business School works with government departments and public enterprises to develop specialized professionals into effective leaders who can inspire teams and drive organizational change.
HR Tip – References and employment tribunals
While employers aren’t legally required to provide references, refusing one to an ex-employee who pursued an employment tribunal claim could constitute unlawful victimization. Provide a fair, factual reference highlighting the employee’s actual work performance, abilities, and conduct without retaliatory language.
Europe changes working practices for staff ‘on call’
The European Court of Justice has ruled that employees required to be physically present at their workplace while on call must be considered working, even when inactive. This decision significantly impacts how UK employers must classify on-call time and manage working hour policies to ensure compliance with the Working Time Directive.
How Did I Get Here? Verity McVarish, Sift Media
Verity McVarish shares her career journey from HR support roles in the public sector to becoming HR Manager at Sift Media. She discusses her psychology and business degree, CIPD qualification, and the importance of understanding HR processes and being an advocate for all parties in the workplace.
Britain – a nation of workaholics part 2
A CIPD survey of 1,666 workers reveals that one in four now work over 48 hours weekly, up from one in ten five years ago. Long working hours negatively impact relationships, mental health, and job performance, though half of long-hours workers report choosing these schedules voluntarily.
Career advice: Don’t ask your boss!
Most employees won’t find career guidance helpful from their line managers due to employer fears about losing talented staff. Research suggests adopting positive career development approaches actually increases motivation and retention while building a more valuable workforce.
Attracting the right people and keeping them
Recruiting the right employees is crucial for organizational success. A structured staffing system based on performance criteria, combined with standardized interview processes and forward-looking planning, helps eliminate bias and dramatically improves hiring decisions across all levels.
Coming soon to your office… random drug testing?
One in eight UK companies currently conducts employee drug testing, while nearly half have investigated the practice. Employers must balance workplace safety and corporate image with clear guidelines and legal considerations around employee privacy.
Sven-Göran Eriksson to share his management secrets
Sven-Göran Eriksson will share his management secrets on getting the best from people at the CIPD Annual Conference and Exhibition in October 2003. Karren Brady and other high-profile speakers will also discuss leadership and organizational topics.
Restructuring for performance
Successful restructuring requires strategic thinking focused on future goals and critical business processes, not just cost-cutting and organizational downsizing. Organizations must involve employees across all levels to ensure the restructure supports long-term performance and growth.
Britain – a nation of workaholics
A survey of HR professionals reveals British employees avoid using workplace benefits like flexible working and teleworking, fearing it could damage their careers. Job insecurity and long working hours drive this workaholic culture despite employers offering these perks.
If London were hit by a terrorist attack, how would the SME cope?
Small and medium businesses face critical vulnerabilities in disaster recovery planning, particularly regarding IT infrastructure and data loss. With increasing reliance on digital systems and growing threats from terrorism and natural disasters, SMEs must reassess their contingency strategies and ensure adequate backup site locations outside affected zones.
