Featured interview: James Amner, HR Product Manager, Microsoft Business Solutions
James Amner, HR Product Manager for Microsoft Business Solutions, discusses e-HR system implementation, budget considerations, and deployment strategies. He explains how organizations can choose between ASP solutions, off-the-shelf software, and in-house systems based on size, complexity, and IT infrastructure needs.
The HR minefield: winning the war for talent – feature
Discover how organizations can win the talent war by aligning recruitment strategies with candidate motivations. This feature examines identifying HR requirements, selecting employees, and sourcing candidates in today’s competitive market.
Complaining about stress is bad for careers – research
Research shows that discussing stress at work can harm career prospects, with 76% of employees believing complaints would damage their careers and 79% of managers less likely to hire candidates they perceive as stress-prone. Despite rising stress levels and inadequate workplace support, stress remains a taboo subject in most organizations.
Work patterns affect your health – research
Research analyzing 7,000 British workers found that employment type significantly affects job satisfaction and mental health. While people working up to 15 hours weekly report higher satisfaction than full-timers, those in seasonal or casual roles experience lower job satisfaction and higher mental distress compared to permanent employees.
1000 great quotes for business, management and training: opportunity
Explore 1000 inspirational quotes organized by business and management themes, including opportunity, leadership, innovation, and teamwork. These quotable quotes from renowned figures are ideal for presentations, speeches, and training sessions.
Women continue to miss out on training – research
Research reveals that twice as many women as men in the UK miss out on training opportunities, primarily due to childcare responsibilities and domestic demands. The survey found 15% of women versus 7% of men had been denied training, highlighting persistent barriers to women’s career development.
Pay settlements fall
Pay settlements fell to 2.5% in the three months to December 2002, marking the lowest level since July 2002. The decline reflects weak private sector earnings growth amid precarious corporate profitability and sluggish global economic conditions.
Effects of medication in the workplace – report
New HSE research examines how anxiety and depression medications affect workplace performance and safety. The study found that medication side effects like fatigue and sleep disruption contribute to accidents and near misses, with particular risks for roles requiring high responsibility. Employers often lack understanding of mental health conditions and adequate workplace support.
New task force to encourage measurement of human capital and people management
A new task force called “Accounting for People,” chaired by Denise Kingsmill, will advise organisations on measuring human capital and linking people management to profitability in annual reports. Sponsored by the DTI, the independent group will develop best practice guidance and report recommendations by Autumn 2003.
Demand for family friendly benefits ignored by UK employers
UK employers are failing to provide family-friendly benefits that workers desperately need, despite recognizing their growing importance. While younger employees prioritize childcare support, older workers increasingly seek eldercare assistance—yet fewer than one in ten employers offer either benefit, leaving millions struggling to balance work and family care responsibilities.
e-HR feature: So, what is this e-HR stuff all about then?
e-HR software automates HR administration by shifting routine tasks from HR professionals to line managers and employees, freeing the HR team to focus on strategic business priorities. The technology continues to evolve rapidly and is increasingly becoming a standard business requirement rather than an optional upgrade.
Flexible working could be the solution to rising employee absence – research
Research from The Work Foundation reveals that managers believe flexible working arrangements could reduce rising employee absence by allowing workers time to address personal issues like stress and childcare without calling in sick. With absence rates at their highest since 1996, flexible hours and remote work options are seen as effective solutions to improve attendance.
Pension contributions should be made compulsory, say MP’s
A survey of MPs reveals strong support for making employer pension contributions compulsory, with 78% backing legislation to require organizations to contribute to employee pension funds. Most MPs also favored mandatory employee contributions while opposing state pension increases and raising retirement age.
Occupational health strategy ‘needs to be taken more seriously’
Organizations should prioritize occupational health strategy as a valuable investment rather than a cost burden. When properly implemented, occupational health management can reduce sick leave, attract top talent, and pay for itself within six months while improving workplace productivity and safety.
Management development: January’s special theme
Management development faces criticism for contributing to UK productivity issues and employee dissatisfaction, yet many experts identify better management training as crucial for organizational success. January’s special theme explores evolving management development approaches, styles, and delivery methods to help training managers identify appropriate programs for their organizations.
Transport for London and London Underground begin major transformation project with Axon and SAP
Transport for London and London Underground have launched a £29 million 10-year transformation partnership with Axon and SAP to replace over 30 fragmented back-office systems with integrated business solutions. The program will support 20,000 employees and improve operational efficiency across London’s transport infrastructure.
Interviewers rely on gender stereotypes – research
Research from Goldsmiths College reveals that interviewers unconsciously rely on gender stereotypes during job interviews, rating candidates more favorably when they conform to traditional gender norms. Women who displayed feminine behaviors received higher ratings, while assertive men were preferred, demonstrating how bias affects hiring decisions.
Good people management increases productivity and reduces absenteeism, finds research
Effective people management strategies significantly increase productivity and profit margins while reducing absenteeism, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers research of over 1,000 organizations. Organizations with documented HR strategies aligned to business goals show 35 percent higher revenue per employee and 60 percent higher profit margins when absence rates are low.
Get the lowdown on e-HR on HR Zone
HR Zone explores e-HR and technology’s impact on HR roles through its Document Library, offering free white papers and resources on topics like human capital management, payroll systems, and talent retention.
Flexible working is a growing priority for employees, finds research
Nearly a third of jobseekers prioritize flexible working hours over higher salaries, with 46% citing flexibility as their most desired employment benefit, according to research from reed.co.uk and the Department of Trade and Industry.
