Senior managers are uninspiring – survey
A new survey reveals that senior managers are widely viewed as knowledgeable but uninspiring, with only 11% of managers finding inspiration in their leaders. Organizations with formal leadership development programs show significantly better results in employee satisfaction and retention.
Smart things to know about teams – Review
This practical guide compiles key concepts from major management thinkers like Maslow, Belbin, and Myers-Briggs into concise notes on team development. While the Smart series format offers handy summaries of established team theory, the book lacks original insights and original thought of its own.
IR35: Employment Status Test guide now available online
A comprehensive online guide to IR35 employment status law is now available from expert Rebecca Seeley Harris. The guide covers employment status tests, key factors, and over 50 case summaries to help contractors and self-employed individuals navigate status disputes with the Inland Revenue. Available for £30 plus VAT with regular updates.
TUC joins advocates of Work/Life balance
The TUC has launched a website providing businesses and employees with guidance to improve work/life balance through an eight-stage consultation process. The initiative emphasizes productivity gains and includes case studies and research demonstrating mutual benefits for employers and staff.
New moves to challenge age discrimination at work
The government launched the Age Positive website to combat age discrimination in employment, offering guidance, case studies, and legal information to help businesses and individuals prepare for upcoming 2006 legislation requirements.
Adapting to 1995 Disability Act “easy”, say 8/10 HR managers
Most HR managers find implementing disability workplace accommodations straightforward, according to CIPD research. However, changing organizational culture and attitudes presents the biggest challenge, while physical adjustments to facilities and procedures are easier to execute.
Interview of the month: Peter Russian, business development director of Investors in People
Peter Russian, Business Development Director of Investors in People, discusses the organization’s ten-year achievements, including 25,000 participating companies employing 24% of the UK workforce with over 90% retention. He outlines future growth plans, international expansion, and increased focus on supporting small organizations.
Modern Apprenticeships for one in four young people by 2004
The government aims to offer Modern Apprenticeships to all young people with five GCSEs by 2004, targeting one in four 16-17 year-olds. The expansion includes a £16 million marketing campaign and new technical certificates to raise the status of skills-based training alongside academic achievement.
Strategic Management: A fresh approach to developing skills, knowledge and creativity.- A review
This 2001 review critiques a strategic management textbook by Joyce and Woods, finding it poorly organized with unclear explanations, heavy reliance on extracted readings, and inadequate coverage of contemporary topics like e-business. The reviewer recommends seeking alternative sources by recognized experts instead.
Video Training Materials
Discover where to find video training materials for counselling skills, mentoring, and coaching. Learn about available resources and sources to purchase professional training videos for career development.
CBI welcomes decision on flexible working for parents
The CBI welcomes a government task force deal on flexible working for parents that promotes workplace flexibility while protecting employers’ decision-making authority. CBI leaders highlight the business benefits of accessing wider talent pools through flexible arrangements.
Book review: 50 ways to liven up your meetings
This review covers “50 Ways to Liven Up Your Meetings” by Graham Roberts-Phelps, a practical guide featuring meeting management tips and 50 activities designed to improve engagement. The book includes icebreakers, energizers, and creative exercises suitable for various meeting objectives, with minimal preparation required.
HR survey: How useful are employee surveys?
HR Zone investigates whether employee surveys justify the time and effort required to conduct them, examining if organizations actually implement the feedback they receive from staff.
CIPD promotes alternatives to redundancy
The CIPD recommends companies explore alternatives to redundancy during economic downturns, including restructuring, reduced hours, and sabbaticals. Research shows employees prefer these options and that retaining skilled staff helps companies recover better than those who cut jobs heavily.
Employment Bill 2001 – Summary
The Employment Bill 2001 introduces enhanced parental leave provisions, including six months paid maternity leave and two weeks paid paternity leave, alongside workplace dispute resolution reforms and protections for fixed-term workers. Key measures also include increased statutory maternity pay, union learning representative rights, and free tribunal claims for applicants, with implementation expected from April 2003.
New Health and Safety Website
The Health and Safety Executive launched a new website providing essential health and safety information, including worker rights, employer responsibilities, reporting procedures, and legal guidance. A dedicated small business site is coming soon.
Learning Styles
The distribution of learning styles varies across populations, with research suggesting no single “normal” pattern. David Kolb’s framework identifies activists, reflectors, theorists, and pragmatists as distinct learning preferences, though individuals often blend multiple styles depending on context and experience.
TUC draws attention to workplace bullying
The TUC highlights workplace bullying as a major cause of stress, with research showing 18 million working days lost annually. Regional seminars will examine bullying’s nature, equality issues, legal implications, and potential solutions.
Are you stress-aware? National Stress Awareness Day
National Stress Awareness Day highlights a growing workplace crisis: more than half of UK workers experienced stress in the past year, with one in four taking time off. Long hours, tight deadlines, and poor work-life balance are the primary culprits, significantly impacting health, productivity, and job satisfaction.
National Stress Awareness Day – Wednesday 7th November
National Stress Awareness Day is Wednesday, November 7th, focusing on managing stress in a 24-hour society. The International Stress Management Association is promoting the day with a Stress Bus Tour and free seminars across the UK exploring workplace stress management and employer responsibilities.
