ACAS report increase in discrimination cases
Employment tribunal discrimination complaints rose 21% in the latest year, with 17,657 cases involving sex, race, or disability issues. ACAS attributes the increase partly to employer knowledge gaps and is expanding support services to help organizations develop anti-discrimination policies.
New lay members sought for EATs
The Government is recruiting ten lay members for the Employment Appeal Tribunal to review employment tribunal decisions and interpret employment rights legislation. Appointees will hear cases in London, Edinburgh, and Wales, with applications welcome from candidates with relevant workplace experience at senior level.
Women workers are key to filling long-term skills gap
Women workers are essential to addressing the UK’s long-term skills gap, particularly in accounting where the workforce is already 80% female. Organizations must invest in training and development for female staff to bridge critical skill shortages and improve business resilience.
Labour market remains strong – Nick Brown
UK employment rose by 13,000 in the last three months and 190,000 over the year, with the claimant count falling to its lowest level in nearly 26 years at 945,600. Minister Nick Brown highlighted the strong labour market position despite global economic uncertainty, with unemployment holding steady at 5 percent and new job vacancies remaining high.
TUC conference to end early
The TUC conference in Brighton will conclude early on Wednesday morning following the September 11 attacks in the United States. TUC President Bill Morris announced the decision to bring the conference to a “dignified close” and support the government response.
NEWSFLASH: Terrorist attacks in the USA, Blair’s TUC speech cancelled
Prime Minister Tony Blair cancelled his TUC speech following terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre and Pentagon. Two hijacked planes hit the twin towers in New York, causing both to collapse, while another struck the Pentagon. Thousands are feared dead.
TUC: Fewer than half the workforce look forward to going to work
Only 49 percent of UK workers look forward to going to work on an average day, according to the TUC’s British Workplace Representation and Participation Survey. The findings reveal significant workplace challenges, including preferential treatment by management and unfair wages as top complaints, though most non-union workers support strong trade unions.
Men and women differ on the value of perks
A Virgin Direct survey reveals significant gender differences in workplace perks, with men prioritizing company cars while women strongly favor family-friendly benefits like childcare and flexible working. Both sexes agree on employer-funded pensions as the top perk, yet most companies fail to offer the benefits employees actually want.
Training Database
Learn about creating and maintaining a training database. This post seeks insights from experienced professionals who have built training databases, offering practical guidance for those starting their own.
Hewitt’s TUPE gets lukewarm reception from TUC
Patricia Hewitt announced proposals to reform the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations, aiming to protect employee rights during business transfers and public sector modernisation. The changes include improved pension protections, clearer guidance on dismissal rules, and better notification requirements between employers. The TUC gave the proposals a lukewarm reception.
New guides to work-life balance from the DTI
The DTI launches two new work-life balance guides for UK employers and employees, demonstrating how flexible working policies reduce absenteeism, boost productivity, and improve staff retention while enhancing business competitiveness.
CRE: Unions should lead a new approach to supporting employees
The CRE Chair argues unions must lead efforts to combat workplace racism and support affected employees. He calls for stronger union action, improved training for representatives, and greater participation from ethnic minority workers to translate racial equality legislation into real workplace change.
Visually impaired employee settles bullying case with Barclays Bank
A visually impaired Barclays Bank employee has settled a workplace bullying claim for £20,000 after experiencing three years of harassment, including having correction fluid dropped in his hair and being subjected to contradictory criticism. Paul Brookes, who worked at the bank for 17 years before retiring on ill-health grounds in 1999, documented the mistreatment in a diary and had planned to pursue disability discrimination charges.
New export website for software centre given the greenlight
The UK government has approved a new export website to help software companies access international business support and market opportunities. Managed by the DTI in partnership with British Trade International and the CSSA, the site will provide trade advice, market information, and resources for companies seeking to expand globally, with launch expected by January 2002.
This survey has now closed
The HR Zone Intranet survey has closed. Results are currently being analyzed and will be published shortly. Contact Richard Dennys with questions or submit a form to receive a copy of the results.
Post Training evaluation
Evaluating training effectiveness beyond immediate assessments requires measuring real-world behavior change and business impact. Learn practical methods to assess management training outcomes, including performance metrics, behavioral observation, and organizational results over time.
Companies lose best candidates through tardy recruitment procedures
Slow recruitment procedures cost companies top talent, with an average two-month hiring process causing sought-after candidates to accept positions elsewhere. Companies that streamline their recruitment process can retain quality candidates and reduce project delays and costs.
Telecoms redundancies soar in 2001
Over 350,000 people were made redundant from telecoms and computing industries in 2001, a 15-fold increase from the previous year, according to US outplacement firm Challenger, Gray and Christmas. The surge contradicts earlier concerns about IT skills shortages in the market.
The police service as a learning organisation
Police services can develop into learning organizations by embracing lateral thinking, technology, and continuous dialogue while building a culture of learning rather than blame. Drawing on management theory, this article explores how staff participation in outside networks, diversified development, and electronic communication can drive innovation and improvement within policing.
MPC: Government employment initiatives fail to target older, low-skilled men
Government employment initiatives like New Deal and Working Families’ Tax Credit are failing to reduce inactivity among older, low-skilled men, according to Bank of England research. Male inactivity rose 11 percent between 1975 and 1998, with nearly a third of men without qualifications not working by 2000.
