Big fine for a big burger outlet for making schoolchildren work big hours!
A McDonald’s restaurant franchise has been fined £12,400 for employing schoolchildren illegally in what is reported to be one of the biggest prosecutions of its kind.Child employment officers from Surrey County Council discovered over 50 breaches of the law at the franchised restaurant in Camberley, Surrey. Ikhya Enterprises, which run the franchise, was fined £12,400 […]
Museums and galleries to help adults into learning
Adult Skills Minister, John Healey, today announced that four museums and galleries will receive a share of £150,000 from the Government to fund projects to encourage adults back into learning. Museums and galleries have a role to play in providing educational opportunities to adults who have had no experience of education since leaving school.The new […]
Re-building the enterprise culture
A series of pro-enterprise reforms to competition and bankruptcy rules to ‘make Britain the best place in the world to do business’ has been announced by Patricia Hewitt, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, through two government white papers.The changes include measures designed to increase consumer choice, strengthen the economy, put downward pressure on […]
‘Statutory learning reps go against better regulation’ says EEF
Plans to introduce statutory rights for learning representatives in the workplace are a direct breach of the principle of ‘better regulation’, according to the Engineering Employers’ Federation (EEF). The principles of ‘better regulation’, as set out by the Government’s own Better Regulation Task Force, emphasise that regulation should only be used where there is no […]
What value science and technology degrees?
While the dotcom meltdown has dented prospects, IT graduates can still find good jobs in a buoyant economy, as can electronics engineers and biotechnologists. But not all science, technology, and computing (STC) degrees are of equal value in the labour market, and technical skills alone are not enough. Graduates need to be numerate and have […]
Fatalities up, reported non-fatalities down in latest HSE accidents figures
Provisional statistics for the year 2000/01 indicate an increase of 34 per cent increase in fatalities among Britain’s workers, with 295 deaths compared to 220 in 1999/2000. This represents an increase in the rate of fatal injuries from 0.8 to 1.1 per 100,000 workers.Over the same period, the provisional number of reported non-fatal major injuries […]
£2 million towards developing reading skills
Arts Minister Tessa Blackstone yesterday announced awards worth over £2 million for sixteen projects in England which highlight the pleasures of reading for all sections of the community. Projects to boost literacy in Bradford, Lancashire, London and the West Midlands are among those to receive grants from a Reader Development Programme funded by the DCMS/Wolfson […]
Training promises but doesn’t deliver!
Mike Westwood has contributed three articles for HR Zone and TrainingZONE so far. This is Mike’s fourth article and last in this series, and maybe contentiously, argues that too much training offers more than it can deliver and is let down by lack of follow-up when the trainee returns to their normal work role. Is […]
FE student numbers decline
According to a statistical release on student numbers and performance in the FE sector 3.7 million students were enrolled in 1999/2000 at FE colleges. This is 100,000 less than in 1998-99 and 200,000 below the figure for 1997-98. However, the numbers enrolled at external institutions, undertaking FEFC-funded provision increased by 7,000 to 308,000.The proportion of […]
Making England a nation of learners
An ambitious drive to make England a nation of learners was unveiled today by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), the new organisation responsible for the planning and funding of post-16 education and training.The LSC Corporate Plan launched today is a strategic framework which sets out how the LSC aims to increase participation in education, […]
Merret -v- Babb: When is an employee liable?
We are grateful to Law Firm CMS Cameron McKenna for the following commentary on the recent Merret -v- Babb case which examined an employee’s liability even though the employee is carrying out duties for his or her employer.Employees will constantly be vulnerable to claims brought directly against them for advice given on behalf of their […]
TUC: Between 100,000 and 150,000 jobs are at risk this year alone
The TUC is warning of between 100,000 and 150,000 manufacturing job losses by the end of the year, unless the Bank of England acts to bring interest rates down. In a report published as the Monetary Policy Committee prepares to meet, the TUC argues that there are few signs of inflationary pressures and that manufacturing […]
HSE: Managers must manage Health and Safety risks
The Health and Safety Commission has published new guidance recommending health and safety responsibilities for company directors and the board members of public sector and voluntary organisations. The guidance will help directors ensure that health and safety risks involved in an organisation’s activities are managed properly and that they take adequate measures to protect their […]
Pay is outstripping inflation, whilst interest rates are not expected to change
Pay deals are running ahead of the inflation rate, with recent settlements worth between 2.5% and 4%, according to the Times newspaper. A survey of 250 wage agreements showed that pay rises in the second quarter of the year were higher than the same period a year ago. Deals agreed in recent weeks have continued […]
Welcome to the house of fun?
Dennis Bakke, one of the founders of the electricity powerhouse AES, once said he believed the company should be founded on four principles: fairness, integrity, social responsibility, and fun.Fun? That’s no laughing matter for Leslie Yerkes, president of Catalyst Consulting in Cleveland, Ohio, and author of Fun Works: Creating Places Where People Love To Work […]
Hewitt: We’ll cut the red tape
Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt yesterday promised a radical overhaul of company law to cut costs and red tape for UK businesses.Welcoming the final report of the independent Company Law Review, published today, Ms Hewitt said that once she had examined the recommendations in detail she would consult on draft legislation.Ms Hewitt said:“Years of […]
First 16 special colleges announced by Estelle Morris
Education and Skills Secretary Estelle Morris yesterday signalled a step forward in the drive to boost skills by announcing the locations of the first 16 Centres of Vocational Excellence ‘new centres in colleges with a focus on meeting employers’ skills needs in subjects as diverse as computing, construction, catering and childcare.Announcing further details of the […]
Metaphors for new management
The following feature is contributed by Mike Westwood of training organisation Ambit. This is the third of four feature articles and this one shows how metaphors can help us see similarities and differences between two things and so develop new meaning.Marathon or horse raceHave you noticed what every marathon runner does at the beginning of […]
Hodge announces board members for Learning and Skills Development Agency
Margaret Hodge, Minister for Lifelong Learning and Higher Education yesterday announced the appointment of eight new members of the Learning and Skills Development Agency board, and the re-appointment of two existing members. The new board membership reflects the expansion of the remit of the Learning and Skills Development Agency to support raising standards across the […]
Reform of public services: TUC make their position clear
The TUC General Council has today agreed a statement on the future of public services, which is attached.The statement welcomes the government’s commitment to improving public services, but says the General Council shares the widespread concern that it is in “danger of derailment in an increasingly bitter dispute over the role of the private sector”.The […]
