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.
Call for restrictions on employers’ use of genetic data
The Human Genetics Commission recommends making it a criminal offense for employers to demand genetic testing or access employees’ DNA without consent. The report proposes legal protections against genetic discrimination while enabling medical research through independent oversight of genetic databases.
Management-union partnership eases difficult market conditions
Research shows that management-union partnerships can improve financial performance in companies facing declining or turbulent markets. A study of 3,000 managers and nearly 30,000 employees found that trade unions generally had a neutral effect on workplace performance, and that serious management engagement with unions improved industrial relations climate.
Employment Tribunals likely to increase
UK employers believe government proposals to reduce employment tribunal cases will likely fail, with 83% of HR managers surveyed expecting either no impact or an increase in cases under the proposed Employment Bill reforms.
Employers give low priority to Health and Safety
UK businesses, particularly small and medium-sized companies, are poorly prepared for new Corporate Killing laws, with many board directors viewing health and safety as unnecessary red tape rather than a vital priority.
Tea rules the workplace
Tea remains the top workplace beverage in Britain, with 59% of workers drinking it regularly and consuming the equivalent of nearly 200,000 baths weekly. Research shows most employees rely on tea for energy and productivity, though tea-making duties often fall unfairly on the same colleagues.
How dangerous is your work?
Driving company cars ranks among Britain’s most dangerous jobs, with high-mileage work drivers facing similar injury risks as coal miners. Research shows employees driving over 25,000 miles annually have a one in 8,000 risk of serious injury, while nearly a third of road fatalities involve work vehicles.
Employees don’t understand pensions
Nearly 60% of UK financial services professionals surveyed don’t understand their pension schemes, with significant gaps in knowledge about employer contributions and scheme types. The confusion persists despite high enrollment rates, highlighting a critical need for pension education among workers.
Whom does you manager most resemble?
A survey during Adult Learner’s Week found that TV presenter Cat Deeley would be respondents’ ideal line manager, while Mr Bean topped the list for resemblance to IT managers. The findings highlight how IT managers increasingly need communication and leadership skills alongside technical expertise.
Admin burden of new employment laws criticised
The Better Regulation Task Force has criticized the administrative burden of new employment laws on small and medium-sized employers, recommending grouped commencement dates, impact assessments, and free ACAS support services to reduce compliance costs.
LawZone Employment Law Newswire #9
LawZONE Employment Law Newswire issue 9 covers recent employment law developments including continuity of employment, agency workers, TUPE, and minimum wage compensation. The newsletter reports that the UK faces infringement proceedings from the European Commission for failing to properly implement the Working Time Directive.
Age Discrimination Bill
The Age Discrimination (No. 2) Bill 2002 introduces protections against age-based discrimination for employees and contract workers, including bans on direct and indirect discrimination, age limits in job advertisements, and mandatory retirement ages without objective justification. The bill also establishes an Age Equality Commission to monitor compliance and promote workplace equality.
Employers can help build civil society
Home Secretary David Blunkett calls on employers to support civil society by encouraging employees to volunteer, serve as special constables, and contribute their expertise to communities. He argues that building safer, stronger communities benefits both business and government, and outlines how civic participation develops valuable employee skills.
Young managers prize flexibility and independence
Young managers prioritize flexibility, independence, and work-life balance, with 41% planning to leave their current role within two years. They expect empowered management styles, remote work options, and compressed schedules, but most organizations haven’t adapted to meet these demands.
Concerns grow over World Cup absenteeism
Employers face growing challenges managing World Cup absenteeism as England’s matches approach. A GMB survey found only 23% of workers were granted special time off, while absentee rates reached 70% during the last tournament, costing the UK economy nearly £400 million in lost productivity.
Commuting stress inspires job changes
Commuting stress is driving significant changes in the UK job market, with one in six workers considering job changes to escape transport problems. The research reveals that poor commuting conditions cost British businesses over £5 billion annually in lost productivity, while affecting workers’ personal lives and well-being.
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Employers must assess workplace risks to pregnant women
Employers must conduct workplace risk assessments for pregnant women and offer suitable alternative work, the Employment Appeal Tribunal ruled. The decision clarifies that failing to assess risks for expectant mothers constitutes sex discrimination under European law, even if similar assessments weren’t completed for other employees.
