Lack of respect for UK plc
UK firms lag behind their international competitors in the latest study of perceptions of commercial success.The FT/PwC World’s Most Respected Companies study showed that only BP and Virgin were the only UK-owned companies in the top 50, coming in at 21st and 34th respectively. Businesses with strong links to this country also featured. Royal Dutch/Shell, […]
Women failing to save for retirement
A new survey by the Alliance and Leicester suggests that many people don’t have savings plans for retirement, and that women are less prepared than men. Only 34% said they had made some retirement provision, and this broke down into 29% of women questioned, compared to 40% of men. The survey involved 2000 respondents.The figures […]
UK young people working longer than European counterparts
A research project published by the Institute for Economic and Social Research at Essex University has shown that half of young people in the UK are in the job market at just over 19 years old, whereas in Spain and Italy it takes another 5 years for half of the age group to join the […]
Compromise on workplace consultation legislation
The EU parliament and the individual member governments have reached an agreement on new directives which will compel companies to increase consultation with their workforces. Negotiation has taken three years already, and the legislation will be generally enacted in three years’ time, except in some countries (including the UK) where there is little tradition of […]
New moves against discrimination could end fixed retirement ages
The Department of Trade and Industry has published a set of proposals entitled ‘Towards equality and diversity: Implementing the Employment and Race Directives’, setting out how the government intends to implement European legislation banning discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, religion or age. The implementation will also require the extension of parts of the […]
Immigration rules to be relaxed for skilled workers
In a new revision of immigration procedures, the government plans to facilitate entry for “highly mobile people with the special talents that are required in a modern economy”, according to Home Office minister Lord Rooker.The Highly Skilled Migration programme will allow the entrant one year initially. Unlike the work permit scheme, it does not require […]
HR Briefing #67 – Influencing people, equal pay, uninspiring managers
HR Briefing Issue 67 13th December 2001http://www.hrzone.co.uk*****************************************************************Sponsorship of HR Briefing puts your business in front of 16,000 HR professionals. For details, mailto:sroy@sift.co.uk *****************************************************************CONTENTS——–RESOURCES: Comprehensive resources on influence in the workplaceNEWS UPDATE: Equal pay, managers ‘not inspiring’, UK’s best bossCAREER ZONE: Coaching and e-learningANY ANSWERS: How do you deal with abuse of sick leave?REVIEWS: Stress management, […]
Access to criminal convictions records could cause excessive discrimination
A new report by the National Institute for Economic and Social Research has warned of possible results of the Police Act 1997, which will come fully into force next year. The report has warned that under ‘Basic Disclosure’ in the Act, recruiters will be able to access job applicants’ criminal records. Convictions would be very […]
Managing the office Christmas party – Feature
This best practice guidance was provided by Mazars Neville Russell. Christmas is almost upon us. Shopping frenzy, undercooked turkey, tree lights that never work and family arguments all seem to be part of the seasonal experience – as are office parties. Parties give people the chance to enjoy themselves and build relationships with co-workers. However, […]
Stress management toolkit – Review
Title: The Gower Stress Management Toolkit for Trainers and Counsellors: a knowledge-base and 34 innovative interventions for managing stress with groups and individualsAuthor: Roy BaileyPublisher: Gower Publishing Limited, 2001ISBN: 0566082276Price: £195Buy this book from the TrainingZONE – Blackwells bookshop.An A4 Ring Binder (240 pages) containing information sheets on stress management, guidance notes on the interventions […]
Work/Life balance: awards for best employers, search begins for “Britain’s best boss”
Parents at Work and Lloyds TSB are looking for nominations for the award of “Britain’s Best Boss”. The winners of the PoW/Lloyds TSB Employer of the Year awards were announced last week. They aim to recognise “employers who help their employees and their businesses to reap the benefits of good work-life balance”. The search for […]
New proposals to reduce gender inequality in pay
The Kingsmill Review of women’s pay and employment has published its report. Denise Kingsmill was instructed to find “non-legislative and cost-effective proposals to deliver improvements in women’s employment prospects and participation in the labour market”.The government has considered the review and made its proposals, which include – new requirements for companies to reveal details on […]
`Dignity at work` bill could obstruct fair examination of grievances – expert view
This feature is contributed by Lawzone’s employment law expert, Daniel Barnett. The Dignity at Work Bill 2001 has been introduced in the House of Lords. It provides that all employees “shall have a right to dignity at work”, and that a dignity clause shall be implied into all contracts of employment. It prohibits harassment, bullying […]
Knowledge management, a state of the art guide – Review
Knowledge Management: a State of the Art Guide.Authors: Paul R Gamble, and John BlackwellPublisher: Kogan Page, London, 2001Format: Paperback, 226 pagesISBN 0749436492Price: £18.99Buy this book from the TrainingZONE – Blackwells bookshop.“The trick”, according to consultancy firm KPMG “is to make it really easy to amass content and then get it out again when you need […]
HSE examines life in call centres
A new report on conditions in the UK’s call centres suggests that staff should be trained to deal with offensive and abusive calls, and should be permitted a break to recuperate after talking to difficult customers.The report from the Health and Safety Executive lacks the horror-stories of some previous surveys, and indicates that existing guidelines […]
Senior managers are uninspiring – survey
A new report by the Institute of Management, “Leadership: a challenge for all” suggests that it is rare for junior managers to hold a high opinion of their superiors. The project was undertaken by Demos, and included respondents from the highest management levels right down to young people about to start their careers.People in leadership […]
Smart things to know about teams – Review
Smart Things to Know about TeamsAuthor: Annemarie CaracciolaPublishers: Capstone Format: Paperback ISBN: 1841120367Price: 12.99Buy this book from the TrainingZONE – Blackwells bookshop.So much has been written and produced on the topic of teams, training them, developing them, working in them, leading them, it is difficult to find anything new to add.And this book does not.The […]
IR35: Employment Status Test guide now available online
This long-awaited online guide from Rebecca Seeley Harris LLB (Hons) LLM Msc of Seeley Solutions, one of the leading experts on the legal aspects of IR35, deals with the case law affecting the employment status of an individual. It is aimed at those affected by IR35 and those who are self-employed. The IR35: Employment Status […]
TUC joins advocates of Work/Life balance
The TUC has launched a website that offers businesses and employees guidance in improving work/life balance to their mutual advantage. Changing Times sets out a strategy including an eight-stage process of consultation and progression: developing joint working, teambuilding and project planning, involving staff, involving customers, trying out ideas, widening horizons, developing solutions, practical results and […]
New moves to challenge age discrimination at work
The government has launched a new website to challenge age discrimination. Age Positive offers guidance, case studies, legal information and links to “champion” companies who are promoting age diversity.After negotiation with the EC, the UK has permitted to frame its own legislation against age discrimination in employment, by 2006. This new website aims to prepare […]
