Diversity recognised as boost to performance
Research from leading organisations shows that diversity drives business performance. An Cabinet Office and Barclays-funded study found that 80 percent of respondents linked diversity policies directly to improved performance, with benefits including better recruitment, retention, and enhanced reputation.
HR Zone Any Answers Digest #9 – HR and knowledge management, promoting appraisals, return to work interviews…
This HR Zone digest covers key workplace topics including HR knowledge management strategies, methods for improving appraisal processes, part-time holiday entitlements, return to work interview practices, and recruitment assessment tests, with expert Q&A discussions.
More funding for work-life balance
The UK government awarded £4.8 million to 233 companies employing over 830,000 workers to implement work-life balance initiatives. Funded through the Work-Life Balance Challenge Fund, organizations across private, public, and voluntary sectors will receive free consultancy support for flexible working practices like job-shares and flexible hours.
Teleworking on the rise
Teleworking in the UK has surged 65% in four years, with 2.2 million people now working from home, representing 7.4% of the workforce. This growth is driven by improved communications technology and reflects broader adoption trends across Europe.
References count!
Bad references can derail your job offer: six out of ten employers have withdrawn offers based on negative reference feedback. Employers prioritize absence records, job performance opinions, and role suitability when checking references, with over half rejecting candidates annually due to poor references.
HR fails to link loyalty with profit
A Manpower survey finds that UK HR managers underestimate employee loyalty’s impact on profit, with only 74% linking the two—below the international average. The research also reveals retention strategies are weak, and identifies distinct employee loyalty profiles ranging from mutual loyalists to mercenaries.
Government reshuffle sees changes at Work and Pensions and Education and Skills Departments
The Government reshuffle brings key personnel changes to two major departments: John Healey moves from Education and Skills to the Treasury, replaced by Stephen Twigg, while David Miliband takes over as Minister for schools. At Work and Pensions, Andrew Smith replaces Alistair Darling as Secretary of State.
Dialect remains a barrier to business success, finds survey
A UK survey reveals that regional accents remain a significant barrier to business success, with Home Counties accents rated most favorably by directors. Strong regional dialects from Liverpool, London, and other areas are perceived as less reliable and professional, though opinions vary by region.
HR outsourcing not on the increase, says survey
Most SMEs and large companies have no plans to increase HR outsourcing in the near future, despite already outsourcing some business functions, according to a new survey by Metrica Research.
Downturn bites on recruitment and payroll
Economic downturn prompts employers to cut recruitment spending and payroll costs, with 71% reporting profit losses and over half announcing redundancies. Rising workplace stress accompanies these measures as employees work longer hours to avoid job cuts, while two-thirds believe redundancy survivors face increased stress levels.
Family-friendly policies improve productivity
Research shows that family-friendly policies like flexible working hours, parental leave, and job-sharing arrangements are linked to improved productivity and financial performance in private sector firms, with nine in ten establishments finding such policies cost-effective.
Time is money: 10p a minute!
A Warwick University economist has created a formula to calculate the monetary value of your time, revealing that the average British minute is worth around 8-10p. The tool factors in hourly wage, tax rate, and local living costs to help you decide whether activities like hiring cleaners are financially worthwhile.
Hewitt: Time to sort long hours mentality
Patricia Hewitt, UK Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, calls for action against Britain’s long hours culture, arguing that regulation alone won’t solve work-life balance issues. She advocates for workplace flexibility and inclusiveness to address the needs of a modern workforce.
HR Zone Any Answers Digest #8 – Project or line management?, strategic work/life balance, absenteeism…
HR Zone Any Answers Digest #8 addresses key HR challenges including line management in project environments, strategic work/life balance initiatives, performance management naming, absenteeism, and post-entry interviews, drawing on expert community knowledge and experience.
Half of employees are looking for new jobs
Nearly half of UK employees are actively or passively seeking new jobs, with 31% monitoring the job market and 14% actively job-hunting. Workers aged 25-34 show the highest job-seeking activity at 58%, while interest drops significantly after age 45.
Somerfield Signs Multi-Million Pound HR Deal with SAP
Somerfield, one of the UK’s largest grocery retailers, has signed a seven-figure deal with SAP to transform its HR and payroll operations from paper-based to fully automated systems across 1,350 sites. The implementation will serve over 2,000 users and is expected to deliver significant cost savings and improved efficiency over five years.
HR professionals uninspired by bosses
A new survey reveals that only 5% of HR professionals find inspiration in their bosses, while nearly a third draw inspiration from friends. Colleagues rank as the second most inspirational influence in the workplace, with 28% finding inspiration during holidays.
UK’s Best Boss rewarded
Ian Barnard, Head of Benefits at Cogent Investment Operations Ltd in London, has won the 2002 Parents at Work and Lloyds TSB Best Boss award. Nominated by his team for championing flexible working practices including nine-day fortnights and homeworking, Barnard demonstrated that family-friendly policies boost productivity and staff retention in City finance roles.
Acronyms in the office
Office workers are overusing acronyms in meetings, with 71% admitting to excessive use of business jargon like EOW (End of Week) and EOD (End of Discussion). Despite widespread confusion, 63% of employees are too embarrassed to ask what these acronyms mean, while others use them to sound credible or outwit colleagues.
Make time at work for sleep!
Power napping during work can boost alertness and combat the afternoon energy slump most people experience around 2pm. Whether you have a few minutes or up to two hours, strategic napping techniques—from brief breathing exercises to full sleep cycles—can reduce stress and improve performance without disrupting your night’s sleep.
