Women should not be afraid to seek senior posts
Women are being encouraged to pursue senior positions in public bodies, where they remain underrepresented at national level. Ministers highlighted that women possess essential skills for leadership roles and should not hesitate to seek appointments that would benefit both public institutions and their own career development.
Holidays are coming – for freelancers and short-term contract holders
A European Court of Justice ruling has declared that UK rules denying paid holidays to workers employed for less than 13 weeks are illegal. The decision grants paid leave entitlements to hundreds of thousands of freelancers, contract workers, and other employees previously excluded from these rights.
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6.5 million sick days through stress
Work-related stress costs British industry £370 million annually, with around 500,000 people suffering from stress-related illnesses. Workers aged 35-44 experience the highest stress levels, which worsen with tenure, according to new Health and Safety Executive guidance.
Why not ask the staff?
The EU’s newly passed Consultation Directive requires large employers to involve workers in major business decisions. Despite UK opposition, the directive will be phased in across member states, ultimately applying to firms with 50+ employees. Confident managers have little to fear from consulting staff, and evidence suggests it may lead to better decision-making.
TUC helps migrant workers
The TUC is launching support for Portuguese migrant workers in the UK who face exploitation due to language barriers and unfair employment practices. The initiative includes a dual-language leaflet covering employment rights, National Insurance, and working conditions, with resources to help workers join trade unions and understand UK labor laws.
Government must expand access to higher education – Hodge
Education and Skills Minister Margaret Hodge announced an expansion of the Summer Schools programme to increase university access, with over 5,500 young people participating this year. The government aims to achieve 50% higher education participation for under-30s by 2010, supported by new foundation degrees combining work and study.
ODL QC grants Applicant Status to the International Centre for Montessori Education and re-accredits Tiller School
The Open and Distance Learning Quality Council has granted Applicant Status to the International Centre for Montessori Education and re-accredited the Tiller School of Navigation and Seamanship. Applicant Status supports providers developing flexible distance-learning delivery while working toward full accreditation. Both organizations met rigorous standards for tutorial support, administrative systems, and course materials.
How to: Contribute articles to HR Zone and TrainingZONE
Learn how to submit articles to HR Zone and TrainingZONE, two platforms serving HR and training professionals. Articles should be 300-800 words, cover topics relevant to human resources or training audiences, and avoid promotional content. Editorial staff retain full control over published submissions.
Who’s responsible in the DfES?
The Department for Education and Skills outlined ministerial responsibilities under Education Secretary Estelle Morris, with ministers overseeing school standards, higher education, lifelong learning, and early years services across England’s education system.
What would you have put in the Queen’s speech?
The Queen’s Speech outlines the government’s legislative priorities for the new parliamentary session. Readers are invited to share what laws and policies they would like to see enacted in comments below.
Queen’s speech gives education a priority
The Queen’s speech outlined 20 new Bills prioritizing education reform, including plans to create more city academies and allow private sector and religious organizations to run secondary schools. The Education Bill aims to raise standards by enabling a more diverse secondary education system with distinct school characters and missions.
EEF: Engineering pay settlements fall
Engineering pay settlements have fallen to their lowest level in nearly 12 months, averaging 2.6% in the three months to May 2001, according to the EEF. Manufacturing deterioration is driving the decline, with May settlements hitting just 2.0% and over a third becoming pay freezes.
As skills shortages worsen, job security increases
Job security increased for the first time in four years as the UK economy strengthened, but skill shortages worsened significantly and now affect 39% of firms’ competitiveness. In response, companies are investing more in employee training and offering flexible working arrangements to attract and retain talent.
Enterprise for all – the Chancellor’s speech
Chancellor Gordon Brown outlined measures to boost UK productivity and create an entrepreneurial culture for all, including competition regime reforms, favorable Capital Gains Tax treatment, modernized insolvency laws, and support for small business growth and venture capital investment.
Coping with disaster – Are you a master?
The University of Lincolnshire and Humberside launched the world’s first MSc in Trauma and Disaster Management Studies, designed to help professionals understand increasing disasters and develop better coping strategies. The program brings together academics and practitioners to advance research in traumatic stress, counseling, and psychotherapy.
New research tools access for the education (and training) community
CHEST and ISI ResearchSoft have announced site-wide licenses for EndNote, ProCite, and Reference Manager bibliographic software for UK higher education institutions, further education sites, and research councils. The three-year agreement allows institutions to install these research tools on owned computers and staff to purchase personal licenses for home use, with technical support provided by Adept Scientific.
New LSC website and Bitesize Learning
The LSC has redesigned its website and launched Bitesize Learning, a new initiative offering short courses for learners, employers, and providers. Information and application details are now available through dedicated web pages for each audience group.
Unhappy workers lead to high staff turnover – what a surprise!
A third of employees plan to resign within two years, primarily due to lacking skills development, poor career guidance from managers, and unclear direction—not low pay. Hays’ survey of 1 million workers across 50 countries reveals that high turnover costs companies up to 18 months’ salary per replacement.
Machines take control of Humans, say UNISON
UNISON reports that call monitoring systems in call centres increase worker stress and dehumanization, with technology controlling staff schedules and workflows rather than reducing monotony. The union calls for workplace improvements to create safer, more rewarding environments and reduce high staff turnover rates.
