DTI offers help on understanding and implementation of employment law
The government is introducing new measures to help employers understand and comply with employment law, including free advisory visits for small firms with fewer than 50 employees, shared HR resources through pilot schemes, and consultation on harmonizing regulation start dates.
Know your board members by their cars
UK board members show distinct car preferences based on their roles, with CEOs favoring the E-Class Mercedes, while finance heads opt for the budget-conscious Vauxhall Omega and HR leaders prefer the practical VW Golf.
DTI guide to Fixed Term Working Regulations
The DTI’s guide to Fixed Term Working Regulations, effective October 2002, outlines rules preventing less favorable treatment of fixed-term employees compared to permanent staff, ensuring equal rights and protections in the workplace.
TUC slates executive pay awards
The TUC has criticized excessive executive pay packages, arguing they create a two-tier system for company staff and directors. The union calls for greater pay disclosure and transparency to encourage restraint among top earners.
Company car resource centre
Access comprehensive company car tax resources including guides, tools, and expert advice on the emissions-based tax regime, congestion charging implications, and practical compliance strategies for employers and employees.
Spam invasion eats up time and space
UK businesses lose significant time and resources to spam, with surveys showing 15% of daily emails are unsolicited messages. MessageLabs research indicates spam will become an even bigger problem, with three-quarters of respondents predicting it will worsen in the coming year.
Employment tribunal task force looks for improvements
The Employment Tribunal Taskforce has recommended improvements to strengthen the system, including better coordination, enhanced dispute prevention through alternative resolution methods, earlier information disclosure, and improved infrastructure to handle over 100,000 annual cases more efficiently and fairly.
Smoking bans in workplaces encourage smokers to quit
Workplace smoking bans significantly reduce smoking rates and cigarette consumption among employees. Research shows smoke-free policies are associated with a 3.8% reduction in smoking prevalence and smokers consuming 3.1 fewer cigarettes daily, reducing total consumption by 29%.
ACAS annual report shows state of employment relations
ACAS’s latest annual report reveals employment tribunal applications declined slightly to 100,878, with 75% of cases settled or withdrawn before reaching tribunal. The service handled significant demand across its helplines and conciliation services, while unfair dismissal remained the most common complaint category.
You can find love in the office
Research shows you’re just as likely to find love at work (25%) as through friends or bars. Office relationships commonly start during after-work drinks, late nights together, or in communal areas, though most couples initially keep their romance private from colleagues.
Holidays improve productivity
Nearly two-thirds of UK workers report improved productivity after taking holidays, with 78% saying they have their best work ideas while on vacation or shortly after returning. Yet less than half of workers take their full holiday entitlement.
Fall in number of work-related fatalities
Work-related fatalities in Britain fell 15 percent to 249 deaths in 2001/2002, down from 292 the previous year, according to Health and Safety Executive figures. The fatal injury rate dropped from 1.03 to 0.88 per 100,000 workers, with construction and agriculture accounting for the majority of deaths.
Free staff absence cost calculator and other absence resources
Calculate the true cost of staff absences with this free spreadsheet tool. Customize variables to see financial impact across different scenarios and access additional absence management resources.
Investment in childcare centres welcomed
The Government has announced major investment in children’s centres to expand childcare places and improve early years services, particularly in disadvantaged areas. By 2006, an additional 300,000 children will access integrated health, education, and family support services, with 250,000 new childcare places created nationwide.
Flexible benefits grow in popularity
Flexible benefits are growing among one in seven companies, allowing employees to customize their packages by trading holiday for pension contributions or childcare instead of company cars. Senior staff have the greatest access to these flexible plans, with directors eligible in 91% of cases compared to manual workers at 46%.
Moves to improve rehabilitation from workplace injury
Workplace injuries and illnesses cost the British economy £14 billion annually, yet most employers lack effective rehabilitation practices. The TUC identifies seven key steps employers should take to improve worker recovery and retention, from establishing clear policies to involving unions in rehabilitation planning.
Workers want to ease into retirement
Most older workers want to extend their careers if employers offer flexible arrangements like part-time work and tailored benefits. Research shows 92% of employees believe employers should adapt work conditions to meet changing needs throughout their career, yet fewer than one-third of companies are taking steps to address different age groups’ requirements.
HR Zone Any Answers Digest #12 – Work/life balance, flexible hours, TNA, mobile phones…
HR Zone Any Answers Digest #12 addresses work/life balance, flexible working arrangements, mobile phone policies, training needs analysis, and HR perceptions. This issue features questions on pregnancy-related sick days, HR function assessment tools, and workplace mobile phone policies from HR professionals seeking advice and best practices.
Employees look to bosses for investment advice
Over half of workers trust their employer for financial advice and investment products, with 46% more likely to notice benefits information from their boss than from branded sources, according to new research.
European agreement to fix standards in teleworking
European employers and trade unions have reached an agreement to establish standards protecting teleworkers’ rights and working conditions. The framework recognizes that teleworkers deserve the same protections as office-based employees while addressing specific concerns like data protection, health and safety, and work organization in remote settings.
