Ten steps to better expenses management
Discover ten practical steps to streamline expense management and reduce processing costs by up to 50%. Learn how automating travel and entertainment expense claims can increase financial control, minimize policy violations, and lower total company spending while improving efficiency across your organization.
Workplace stress goes global
A global study of over 1000 companies across 24 countries reveals widespread employee stress, with people-centered workplace cultures in the USA and Scandinavia reporting lower stress levels than power-oriented companies in southern Europe. The research shows the average global working week is 50 hours, with stress rising annually due to routine business pressures rather than exceptional circumstances.
How to: Protect Yourself From Redundancy
Learn six critical strategies to protect your job during economic downturns: understand your value, know your market worth, build professional networks, continuously develop skills, maintain visibility with key decision-makers, and create a career plan that gives you control over your future.
Healey: New research strategy for education will improve quality and access
The National Educational Research Forum has launched a new strategy to improve educational research quality and access. The framework includes initiatives such as a Funders’ Forum, research priority panels, and enhanced training opportunities for researchers and teachers. Adult Skills Minister John Healey welcomed the strategy, noting his department has doubled education research funding since 1997.
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.
