‘Resistance to change’ limits work-life balance measures
Although UK organisations have accepted that work-life balance policies do provide business benefits, a third cite ‘management resistance to change’ as the number one difficulty they face in implementing work-life balance measures.According to The Work Foundation’s survey of 303 HR specialists launched today, the majority of employers (68%) accept an organisational responsibility to help staff […]
How Did I Get Here? Craig Truter, The Body Shop UK
HR Zone puts the spotlight on Craig Truter, HR Manager for The Body Shop UK. Craig recently invited HR Zone members to join a retail HR forum. What’s your current job role?HR Manager – Compensation, Policy & Benefits – The Body Shop UK.What did you do before this job?I was HR Manager (Generalist) at Reed […]
New telework guidance
A new document on telework produced by the DTI and agreed by the CBI, TUC and CEEP UK, identifies and addresses the key issues employers should consider when implementing a teleworking policy.The guidance recognises teleworking as a progressive method of organising work that can benefit both employers and their staff. Employers can recruit from a […]
Softworld HR & Payroll: Exhibitor list
Below is a list of the stand numbers of those software and payroll providers exhibiting at the HR & Payroll Softworld event. Callidus Software – 108 Computers in Personnel – 128 Cyberaid Ltd – 306 Frontier Software Plc – 208 and 225 Grampian Software – 112 HR Zone – 314 ICS Computing Ltd – 203 […]
Consultation on reforms to employment of disabled people
Small employers are being urged to respond to guidance supporting major legal reforms to the employment of disabled people. The Disability Rights Commission (DRC) is calling for responses from people affected by changes to the employment provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) which come into force in October 2004. Changes to the DDA being […]
Expectant mothers still experience pregnancy discrimination at work
Pregnant women still continue to face problems at work, according to survey results released today during National Pregnancy Week. The survey, which questioned 1200 people, revealed that over a fifth knew an expectant mother who had experienced difficulties at work because of her pregnancy – rising to a third amongst women aged 25-34. Experiences included […]
Employers wrangle over dress code policies
Despite reports of the death of “dress down” days, the business suit is increasingly unpopular – and now forms the basis of dress codes in fewer than half of the country’s offices, new research claims.But employers are becoming increasingly strict about what is or is not acceptable – with half of employers setting dress guidelines […]
Work Life Balance Week – 1-5 September
1-5 September is ‘Work Life Balance Week’, so to get you thinking about work-life balance issues, we’ve provided you with a round-up of HR Zone’s recent work-life balance related features, news items and community questions. You can add your own work-life balance questions in the Any Answers area of the site. Features Feature article: Work-life […]
Seasonal worker posts in decline
The role of seasonal workers is in decline – with only 41% of organisations using them, according to new research. Agency workers are now the most popular (85%), followed by fixed-term contractors (73%) and finally seasonal/casual staff (41%) according to the Work Foundation study, based on responses from 315 HR specialists.The top two reasons for […]
Softworld interview: Outsourcing
Sharhabeel Lone of SAKS Consulting will be speaking at the masterclass ‘Strategic Outsourcing: Hype or Reality?’ at the forthcoming Softworld HR & Payroll event. HR Zone: Is outsourcing suitable for all organisations? Sharhabeel: The short answer is No. The need to analyse benefits and risks is paramount to a successful business strategy. The ‘me too’ […]
Opinion: Age discrimination
The hottest subject of conversation in HR networking should be age discrimination legislation by far, argues Phillip Walker, Chairman of the Campaign Against Age Discrimination in Employment and the CAADE Centre Charity. Legislation on age discrimination in employment will be the biggest regulatory change to hit the profession in 20 years. Bigger by far than […]
Online consultation on statutory dispute resolution
The Government has produced a full consultation paper which can be completed online on statutory dispute resolution It should take no more than half an hour to complete in full, but the online consultation has been designed to use even if you can only spare a few minutes. Consultation closes on 29 October 2003. The DTI […]
Call for employer action to boost pension take-up
Over 8 in 10 employer-sponsored stakeholder pension schemes remain ‘empty boxes’ with no pensions yet active, according to new research.The report, Stakeholder pensions – time for change, by the Association of British Insurers, calls for more action to help employers promote pensions take-up. Currently, 350,000 employers have designated a scheme but 82% remain ‘empty boxes’ […]
“Absence has grown from an HR issue to a business problem”
The UK average absence level has just risen, for the first time in six years, to 7 days per worker, according to new research.While 89% of absences are short term, long-term episodes account for 56% of days lost and up to 70% of costs, claims the report, Attendance Management, by The Work Foundation.Although two in […]
Free seminar on implementing workplace childcare solutions
If you’re based near Bristol, you may be interested in attending a FREE seminar on workplace childcare issues.Bristol-based workplace solutions company, Principio, has announced a free breakfast seminar aimed at providing practical advice to businesses on implementing workplace childcare strategies. Principio has partnered with the Children’s Information Service for Bristol, South Gloucestershire Children’s Information Service, […]
E-mail harassment costs employer £10,000
A woman who discovered nine of her colleagues had circulated obscene e-mails about her has received £10,000 compensation after settling her sexual harassment case against her former employer.The Sales Support Administrator and Personal Assistant discovered the e-mails inadvertently after she was given access to a colleague’s e-mail folders while he was on extended leave. After […]
Community feature: Introducing…
We put the spotlight on HR Zone member Nick Heap. What’s your current job role?I am an independent facilitator of change and development. I use counselling, consulting and facilitating skills to help managers (mainly) solve people problems and develop themselves and their staff. I do a lot of work one to one, helping people think […]
Softworld preview – seminars
We take a look at the breakfast briefings and masterclasses available at Softworld HR & Payroll. These are free to attend. Day One – Wednesday 24 September Breakfast Briefing – BB1A 09.00 – 10.00Choosing a new HR system, why companies should always keep an open mind– Trends in the market– What options are available– Why […]
Disciplinary procedures and stress
Annabel Mackay of Charles Russell solicitors outlines the steps employers can take to reduce the likelihood of unfair dismissal claims. Most employers are familiar with the situation: no sooner has the disciplinary process been launched then the employee produces a sick note indicating that he or she is suffering from stress.The employer is in a […]
HR still an isolated department
HR is still a stand alone department because many businesses are failing to integrate it with other functions, according to Softworld research conducted on 229 HR and payroll professionals last month.It found that only 44% of companies questioned have linked their HR systems with other applications, such as finance and payroll systems, However, research conducted […]
