Accountancy’s difficulty, HR’s opportunity? – CIPD feature

The crisis in accounting and why HR shouldn’t miss the chance.Tony Hope, visiting Professor of Accounting, INSEAD and Manchester Business School, is speaking at the CIPD’s annual conference in Harrogate. Here he introduces his subject: how HR could respond to the current crisis of confidence in accountancy.Read more about the conference and exhibition. Recent events […]
Young employees unrealistic about retirement age – CIPD survey

Featured at the annual Conference and Exhbition in Harrogate, the latest <a href="http://www.cipd.co.uk" target="_blank"Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) survey suggests shows that employees approaching retirement age are much more realistic than younger people about the age at which they expect to retire. The findings come in the light of the current “pensions crisis”, […]
Pensions revolution to come – CIPD preview

A combination of low unemployment, falling stock markets and a rising number of elderly have led to major changes to occupational pension schemes during the past couple of years. However these developments will pale in comparison with those envisaged by pensions expert, Geof Pearson, who will speak at this year’s CIPD annual national conference on […]
Single annual date planned for employment legislation

The DTI has responded positively to proposals by the Better Regulation Task Force that there should be a common commencement date when all employment changes take effect, by publishing a consultation document.David Arculus, chairman of the Better Regulation Task Force, said: “I am pleased that the DTI is acting so promptly on our recommendation for […]
Equal pay ‘a long way off’

Figures released today still show that the pay gap between women and men in Britain is still as wide as ever, with part-time women workers in particular penalised in their pay packets.The New Earnings Survey statistics for 2002, from the Office of National Statistics show that the gap between full-time workers pay has widened slightly. […]
82% of employers fear legal action on stress, finds survey

A new survey of 5,000 UK employers reveals that 82% of them feel vulnerable and at risk from being sued by their employees for causing workplace stress, discrimination, or for bullying. However only a third of the employers questioned by stress experts, Work Stress Management, knew about new legal guidance which could prevent them being […]
Do you manage diversity? Win an award…

It’s your last chance to enter your organisation in the 8th annual British Diversity Awards, to take place on Friday 22 November 2002.The British Diversity Awards publicly recognise successful programmes (or routine service and HR management) that organisations have implemented at work, not only toeliminate discrimination and disadvantage for under-represented groups, but also to gain […]
New pension proposed

A new Citizen’s Pension, worth £100 a week and rising in line with earnings has been propoesd by the National Association of Pension Funds (NAPF).In a policy paper “Pensions – Plain and Simple” the NAPF sets out a number of key reforms which would boost incomes for the poorest pensioners, strip away complexity, encourage consumers […]
Internal meetings often not worth the time, finds survey

Over half the people questioned in a survey for Alive Communications’ Headlock service thought the time taken up by regular meetings was greater than the value actually gained from them. However, 83 per cent of respondents still felt regular internal meetings could actually help them do their job.Reflecting on meeting behaviour, nearly one in five […]
European Safety Week – combatting stress and bullying

The week beginning Monday 14th October is European Safety Week. The theme for this year is work-related stress. Tuesday 15th October has been declared Ban Bullying Day by Amicus, The Work Foundation, The Andrea Adams Trust and IRS Eclipse Publications. Amicus National Secretary Chris Ball said, “The purpose of Ban Bullying Day is to raise […]
Smoking at work is increasingly unacceptable

A poll of more than 2,000 people, by independent researchers BMRB for anti-tobacco campaigners, Ash found that 85% were against smoking at work. 11% of people said smoking was freely allowed in all areas of their workplace. This would equate to more than three million people across the UK. According to the survey, almost two-thirds […]
Do you suffer from afternoon apathy syndrome?

Do you or your colleagues nod off in the afternoons? Or just slide with glazed eyes and fuddled brain through a long vague teatime of the soul? Well don’t worry, it’s not a culpable lack of attention or engagement any more, now it’s a syndrome!New research suggest that 12 million British workers (over 40% of […]
Socialising builds work relationships

According to new research by Office Angels, most employees (73%) rely on socialising with work colleagues for building positive working relationships.Workers who regularly socialise with their colleagues are likely to be happier at work, have stronger team working skills and stay in one job for a longer period of time. Those questioned felt that going […]
Employment Act – what businesses need to do

Russell Brown, employment law specialist at Manchester-based Glaisyers explains why he thinks it’s a bit of a mixed bag for businesses, but on the whole good news. One of the legacies of New Labour will undoubtedly be the raft of employment legislation and their so-called ‘family friendly’ policies they’ve introduced since being in power. The […]
Friday is jeans for genes day!

Friday is Jeans for Genes day. Go to work in jeans or casual clothes, and donate £1 to research into genetic disorders. The event is organised by four national charities, to raise funds for research into serious and often life-threatening genetic disorders affecting thousands of children. Funds also help to fund valuable advice and support […]
Workaholism: are you a victim? – feature

Professor Marc Buelens of the People and Organisation Competence Centre, Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School, looks at how attachment to work can become unhealthy. There is absolutely nothing wrong with loving your job or going that extra step to complete a project, but when going that extra step gets out of control, to the exclusion […]
Call for more attention to RSI

The TUC has called for new European Directives to prevent RSI which now affects half a million people at work (one in every fifty workers) every year.TUC health and safety specialist Owen Tudor said: “RSI is a global disease and Europe needs to take action to prevent future generations from suffering more epidemics of RSI. […]
Who’s afraid of flexible working?

According to a research report by Flexecutive, in spite of clear and present demand for flexible working practices (in all the myriad of forms that currently exist as well as those that have yet to be invented), the actual take-up is poor. This is especially true of middle and senior managers who are still disciples […]
New rights for fixed term employees

Over a million fixed-term employees have new rights to equal treatment on pay, pensions, holidays, sick pay and training, from 1st October. The new rights will also stop the practice of using successive fixed-term contracts in what are effectively permanent posts. Alan Johnson MP, Employment Relations Minister, said: "Fixed-term contracts can provide flexibility for both […]
Family responsibilities still restrict careers

According to research by the CIPD, combining work and raising children still forces parents to compromise their careers. 52% of respondents to the survey believe that becoming a parent has affected their career. Among women this rises to 72%. 28% of women had actively downgraded their career since having children, but only 9% of men […]