How Did I Get Here? David Kelly, Aventis UK
David Kelly, Head of Development and Training at Aventis UK, discusses his career path from business economics to HR leadership, including his role in cultural transformation during a 2000 merger that led to Sunday Times and Financial Times workplace awards.
Pay settlements remain stable at 3%
Pay settlements remained stable at 3% in the three months to August 2003, marking the longest period of stability since 2001. According to the IRS Pay Databank covering over 240,000 employees, half of basic awards fell between 2.5% and 3.4%, with public sector deals outpacing private sector settlements.
HR Tip – burden of proof
In workplace disciplinary cases, employers use the “balance of probability” standard rather than the criminal “beyond all reasonable doubt” standard. This means you can dismiss an employee if you believe they’re more likely guilty than not, based on thorough investigation and objective evidence presented at a formal hearing.
50 Tax-Saving Ideas for Employers and Employees
Discover 50 tax-saving strategies for employers and employees through Ray Chidell’s Employee Benefits guide series. This comprehensive resource covers vehicle tax, finance updates, benefits optimization, and more practical tips to help reduce your tax burden.
Middle managers identified as organisational “fault line”
Middle managers face severe strain from inadequate skills, conflicting loyalties, and lack of senior support, threatening organizational success according to a new DDI report. The pressures—long hours, heavy workloads, and isolation—are causing burnout and deterring junior employees from pursuing management roles.
Non-smokers fuming over smokers’ breaks
Non-smokers are demanding extra breaks to compensate for smoking colleagues’ cigarette breaks, but employers have no legal obligation to grant additional breaks to either group. Employment law experts advise employers to clarify break policies and treat all employees equally to prevent workplace resentment.
HR Zone competition: win a free advisory session!
HR Zone is offering one member a free one-hour advisory session with PA Consulting Group expert Dr Mark Dorgan at Softworld. The session covers practical advice on HR software solutions and business transformation to address your organization’s critical needs.
Only one in 1300 employees applies for flexible working
Only one in 1300 eligible employees applied for flexible working under new UK legislation, according to a survey of 125,000 workers across 25 firms. Despite the right becoming available in April, take-up remains surprisingly low, though employers report positive effects on staff retention and morale.
Reversing a flexible working arrangement
Once a flexible working arrangement becomes a permanent contract variation, employees wishing to revert to their original terms face no automatic right to reverse it. However, employers should consider such requests carefully, as refusing to accommodate a return to full-time work could breach part-time worker protections and damage employee relations.
How Did I Get Here? Jenny Kevan, Abbott Laboratories
Jenny Kevan, UK HR Manager at Abbott Laboratories, shares her career journey from training roles to HR leadership, including her experience managing restructuring programs and building diverse HR teams across multiple sites.
Employers wary of exaggerated CV “Other Interests”
Most employers consider CV “other interests” when making hiring decisions, but candidates risk exclusion by writing too much detail, citing drinking, or leaving the section blank. Recruiters prefer a balanced mix of interests in brief bullet points, with voluntary work and team activities most impressing.
Diversity management helps to raise bottom line
A study of 500 UK and international companies shows that workforce diversity improves business performance, boosting retention, reducing recruitment costs, and increasing customer satisfaction. However, achieving lasting diversity requires long-term commitment, senior management support, and addressing cultural barriers like ingrained attitudes and inflexible working practices.
Mental health issues are common in the workplace
Two-thirds of employees experience mental health issues at work, yet most line managers lack the knowledge and skills to provide adequate support. While employees trust their managers’ understanding, organizations struggle with inconsistent policies and insufficient training for handling workplace mental health problems.
HR Tip – do we need written contracts of employment?
Employers must provide written contracts or written statements of terms and conditions to employees by law. Failing to do so can result in employment tribunal fines, unfavorable court rulings, and potential penalties of two to four weeks’ pay.
Unfair dismissal is still largest complaint
Unfair dismissal remains the largest complaint to employment tribunals, accounting for nearly a third of all applications, according to new Acas figures. Applications have declined for the third consecutive year, though more cases are being settled before reaching tribunal.
Graduates seek companies offering ‘golden hellos’
More than a quarter of UK employees in their twenties prioritize student debt assistance when choosing employers, with over a third of companies now offering “golden hello” joining bonuses to graduate recruits. Pensions and flexible working remain top benefits across all age groups.
Companies increasingly make employees face the music
Major corporations are increasingly using custom pop songs to reinforce corporate culture, encourage employee loyalty, and promote teamwork, with mixed results ranging from motivational success to employee cynicism.
HSE publishes consultation on first aid at work
The HSE is consulting on first aid at work regulations, seeking employer views on workplace first aid provision and potential legal responsibility to provide care to members of the public on premises. The consultation closes 30 November 2003.
Technology solutions for flexible benefits delivery
Organisations implementing flexible benefits schemes can choose from various technology solutions, from in-house HR system adaptations to outsourced platforms with administration and consultancy. Success requires evaluating your organisation’s structure, IT infrastructure, data quality, and internal resources before selecting the right delivery approach.
How Did I Get Here? William Martin, Telewest Broadband
William Martin, National HR Manager at Telewest Broadband, shares his 20-year career journey from coal industry clerical trainee through redundancy to HR leadership. He discusses how professional CIPD qualification became pivotal after losing his British Coal job and offers career advice to aspiring HR professionals.
