One in three fathers works over 48 hours a week
One or both parents in a majority of dual-income families are working hours outside the standard ‘nine to five’ – including almost one in three fathers whose employment routinely takes them over the 48 hours a week limit set by the European Working Time Directive, according to research published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation during […]
Good people management delivers best shareholder value
According to research by Watson Wyatt, companies with the best people management deliver nearly twice as much valueto shareholders as their average competitors. The research studied people management practices in over 600 companies from 16 countries across Europe and combined this with independent financial data. It showed a clear link between specific people management practices […]
Carers unaware of flexible working options
According to one of two pieces of research published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation during National Work–Life Balance Week, working parents with dependent children and staff who care for older relatives are often unaware of the flexible work arrangements that could help them, even when their employers have adopted a formal ‘work–life balance’ policy. Investigation […]
Should the state pension age be raised?
The Pensions Policy Institute is saying that raising the state pension age would solve the current pensions crisis. Their new report, “Raising State Pension Age: Are We Ready?” sets out the arguments in favour of this (fairly unpopular) move. Main points1. Raising State Pension Age is a legitimate and timely subject for proper debate – […]
Employees more willing to report fraud, finds survey
Research by YouGov for KPMG Forensic has revealed that 83 per cent of respondents would report their colleagues to their bosses for major incidents of fraud, while 44 per cent would report them for minor incidents like stealing office stationery. This is large rise comapred with past surveys. The survey also found that 94 per […]
It’s Work – Life Balance Week!
This week has been designated Work-Life Balance Week. You can find out more from the Work-Life Balance Trust. There will be events across the UK, starting in London in Bristol on Tuesday, Manchester on Wednesday and Edinburgh on Thursday. The DTI also has a Work-Life Balance area on its website.
Compulsory retirement under threat
The Employers’ Forum on Age has responded to a recent tribunal case which could allow employees working beyond retirement age the same rights as younger workers.The case was brought by law firm Charles Russell and the Islington Law Centre after two men, aged 71 and 74, claimed they had been unfairly dismissed from their jobs […]
How would people like to work?
A survey from learndirect has attempted to identify the UK's favourite dream team at work. Miss Moneypenny emerge as Britain’s overwhelming favourite “dream PA”, seeing off fierce opposition from Kylie Minogue, Britney Spears and Jennifer Aniston. Significantly, Moneypenny staked her claim as the most desirable dream secretary among women and men. Richard Branson topped the […]
It’s take your dog to work day!
Another special day on the calendar of odd commemorations and causes, it’s Take Your Dog to Work Day!Apparently one in eight workers in the UK already take their dog to work – that’s a massive 3.5million people (where do all these people work? They can’t all be shepherds). And according to the Blue Cross, it’s […]
New drive against sex discrimination at work
The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) has launched a new campaign, ‘Carry On Equality’ campaign, based on the ‘Carry On’ films, to tell people about sex discrimination law and the information and advice available from the EOC. Julie Mellor, EOC chair, said: “If you’re being sexually harassed at work, or paid less than a man doing […]
Negligent employers to fund NHS treatment
The Independent reports that there are moves to make employers pay for NHS treatment for employees injured at work through negligence.According to the paper, a consultative document announced by Health Minister David Lammy lays out details of the scheme which would make employers liable for the full costs of treating an injury caused by negligence […]
TUC: Minimum wage should rise to over £5 an hour by 2004
At the Trades Union Congress 2002 on Tuesday, General Secretary John Monks announced a General Council proposal to call for an significant increase in the National Minimum Wage. The TUC General Council has called for an increase to between £5 and £5.30 an hour by October 2004. The minimum wage, currently £4.10, is due to […]
Temporary staff over 40 more likely to find work
It’s often cited that workers over fifty can have problems finding permanent positions in the workplace, but a new study finds that turning temp may be the answer.Recruitment and training providers Parity researched the number of contract and permanent jobs filled by their candidates in the last year, and discovered that twice as many of […]
UK employees ‘lack commitment’
UK employees are among the least committed to their jobs in the world, according to a new survey.The research, ‘UK plc: leader or follower?’, published by International Survey Research, reports on the attitudes of over 360,000 employees from the world’s ten largest economies, and found that less than six out of ten British employees wanted […]
E-mail and internet abuse top the misconduct charts
In the last year, the number of disciplinary cases for internet and e-mail abuse outstripped those for dishonesty, violence and health & safety breaches put together, according to a new survey.The study, conducted by legal experts KLegal and Personnel Today magazine, reveals that, of the 212 firms questioned, there had been 358 cases for e-mail […]
Bullying tops employee gripes
Harassment or bullying in the workplace has gone to the top of the list of complaints raised by employees, according to research by IRS Employment Review. Previously, pay and grading issues (2001) and the introduction of new working practices (1997) have been employees’ most common complaints, while bullying and harassment complaints were less common.Main findings– […]
Commutes to work top six hours a day
London workers are spending longer and longer on their way to and from work in a bid to escape rising house prices or in a quest for a better quality of life, according to the Financial Times.In a feature published today, the paper cites several examples of city commuters who are travelling from their homes […]
Young managers anxious about pension provision
According to research by the Chartered Management Institute, adverse publicity has left 63 per cent of young managers questioning their pension provision, and whilst they dream of an early retirement, 41 per cent are far from confident that their provision will provide adequate financial support for their future. 34 per cent of survey respondents do […]
New employee advice website launched
The TUC has launched Worksmart, a new advice website for non-union workers. It offers guidance on rights and health at work, a jargon buster and a union finder. The latter identifies any unions recognised by a particular employer. The rest could be useful if you need to point anyone toward a simple introduction to H&S […]
Does wealth mean success?
According to a report by Lloyds TSB Private Banking, one in three wealthy people in the UK have sacrificed marriage, personal relationships and time with family in the pursuit of money. Although the rich generally feel happy, successful and content with their wealth, thre are other costs. As well as sacrificing personal relationships, 12 per […]
