Community feature: Introducing…
Meet Crispin Garden-Webster, HR Specialist at the Asian Development Bank, who shares his 20-year career journey from Army field psychologist to leadership development expert. In this community feature, he discusses how HR has evolved from transactional to strategic roles and why he views himself as a business partner rather than an HR professional.
UK holiday entitlement amongst lowest in Europe
UK workers receive just 20 days of statutory annual leave, among Europe’s lowest entitlements. Combined with public holidays, the UK total of 28 days falls significantly below the EU average of 34 days, with Finland offering the most at 39 days.
Flexible training “essential” to future of NHS
A BMA-led working group says the NHS must expand flexible training options for junior doctors to retain talent, meet workforce demands, and comply with the European Working Time Directive, particularly as more women enter medical training.
Only a seasonal job?
Seasonal and temporary employees have the same legal protections as permanent staff under UK employment law. Employers cannot offer them less favorable pay, benefits, or conditions unless there’s a legally compelling business reason, and must follow proper dismissal procedures after one year of employment.
HR should “take a lead” on corporate social responsibility
HR departments should take the lead on corporate social responsibility by leveraging their change management expertise and control over key systems like recruitment, training, and communications, according to a new CIPD report. HR leadership in CSR has grown from 7% of organizations in 1995 to 20% today, helping companies embed responsible business practices while improving employee retention and recruitment.
Softworld HR & Payroll preview – new product launches
Softworld HR & Payroll 2003 features 30 leading vendors showcasing new products and services at the NEC Birmingham on September 24–25. Major software companies including Callidus, Frontier Software, and Microsoft Business Solutions will launch innovations in HR, payroll, and self-service employee tools.
Be flexible in sweltering workplaces, TUC urges employers
The TUC is urging UK employers to adopt flexible policies during heatwaves, including relaxed dress codes, more breaks, and shift rotation. The organization is also calling for legal maximum workplace temperature limits of 30°C (or 27°C for strenuous work) to protect workers from heat-related health risks.
Warning – Data Protection scam
Beware of scam letters from the “Data Processing Protection Corporation” demanding £95 for Data Protection Act registration. Report these fraudulent notices to local police and Trading Standards; the actual fee is £35, and the Information Commissioner’s Office provides free registration verification.
Basic pay increasingly depends on company performance
Nearly half of UK companies now prioritize company performance when setting basic pay increases, according to Watson Wyatt’s 2003 Salary Budget Survey. Meanwhile, individual performance has become less important as a pay determinant, with fewer companies rewarding team performance.
Firms urged to reduce stress
An NHS hospital faces potential court action and unlimited fines after being issued an enforcement notice to reduce workplace stress among staff. Research shows stress-related claims have risen 88% in seven years, with workers exposed to chronic stress at significantly higher risk of heart attacks and strokes.
£1 million compensation for bullied broker
A High Court judge has awarded £1 million in compensation to a City worker who quit his job after suffering severe bullying from his boss at broking firm Cantor Fitzgerald. The ruling rejected the firm’s argument that abusive conduct was standard in the pressured broking industry, potentially affecting workplace practices across financial services.
Fat cat pay rises 23% and average earnings 3.2%
Executive directors at UK’s top 100 companies received average pay rises of 23%, seven times higher than the 3.2% increase for average workers, according to a Guardian survey. FTSE-100 chief executives now earn an average of £1.67 million annually.
Companies lack clear performance management strategies
Most employers lack a clear performance management strategy despite recognizing its importance, new research shows. A survey of HR departments reveals that only 25% involve HR in goal-setting, with most relying on board and management decisions instead.
Senior posts are hard to fill
Employers are struggling to fill senior and board-level positions, with three in five firms expecting recruitment difficulties over the next six months, according to the Recruitment Confidence Index. Economic uncertainty and a shortage of experienced managers with proven track records are making it hard to attract senior talent.
Job-seekers hunt for homeworking opportunities
Over half of UK job-seekers prioritize homeworking options more than their European counterparts, according to an Epson survey. While reducing stress is the main appeal, concerns persist about whether remote workers have adequate technology to perform at office standards.
Race to outsource puts companies at risk
Companies rushing to outsource HR and payroll functions risk long-term damage if they fail to properly assess vendors and manage relationships. Experts warn that successful outsourcing requires strong service level agreements, clear ROI metrics, and careful risk management to deliver real benefits.
Extension of Working Time Directive
From August 1, the EU Working Time Directive extends protection to workers in transport, railway, offshore, and aviation sectors previously excluded from working time measures. Junior doctors will be covered starting in 2004.
Getting the best value out of employee benefits
Employees often underestimate their benefits’ value by around 20%, making it crucial for employers to review benefits strategies and improve communication. Personalized total reward statements and better promotion help staff appreciate their packages while ensuring companies maximize return on investment.
Shift to performance-linked share plans
UK’s largest companies are increasingly adopting performance-linked restricted share plans instead of relying solely on share options for executive compensation. This shift reflects efforts to better align executive interests with shareholder value and corporate performance targets.
Stress is leading cause of long-term absence
Stress is the leading cause of long-term sickness absence among non-manual workers, with nearly 60% of public sector organizations citing it as the main reason, according to a CIPD survey. The survey also found overall absence rates dropped by one day per person annually, though public sector employees take significantly more sick leave than private sector workers.
