How to: Understand voice recognition applications
In the film Star Trek IV – The Voyage Home, one of my favourite moments is when James Doohan, paying the part of chief engineer Scotty tries talking to a 1986 vintage desktop PC and his colleague Dr “Bones” McCoy says, “Scotty, I think you have to use the keyboard.” Scotty replies, “A keyboard? Oh! […]
When unemployment falls and wage inflation rises
In the past week both the CBI and the TUC have urged further cuts in interest rates for the UK economy. However, is there an element of short-termism in their calls?Latest figures reveal that wage inflation took a leap in April, especially due to increases in the public sector which rose from 4.4% in March […]
Further Details of Appointments and Responsibilities In Work and Pensions
Alistair Darling, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, yesterday announced the allocation of policy responsibilities for his Ministerial Team.As Secretary of State Mr Darling has overall responsibility for all work and pension matters as well as public expenditure issues.Nick Brown, Minister of State: Structural unemployment policy, Welfare to work (New Deals/ONE), Adult Disadvantage, Jobcentre […]
New DES Minister gets to work on AS level concerns
Education and Skills Secretary Estelle Morris today announced that she was asking David Hargreaves of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) to take personal charge of a review of the implementation of the A level reforms after their first year.She acknowledged the concerns being expressed in schools and colleges about the burdens being placed on […]
Threat of Rail Strikes
The RMT union, representing rail workers in the UK yesterday called for one-day stoppages for 25 June and 4 July in support of a demand for changes in the railway companies’ operating rules.The rule change is being demanded as the union claims that it “downgrades” the existing role of railway guards and should be abolished. […]
Workshop report: Consultants: Why and when do we need them?
Jon Seaton Hi Jane. We seem to have a very quiet session today!Jane Boyd Hi Jon – yes it seems so – this is the first time I’ve been to a workshop how about you?Jon Seaton I’m the editor for HR Zone, so I’ve conducted quite a few! It’s very easy really – just type […]
Government Responsibilities after the Reshuffle
Prime Minister, First Lord of the Treasury and Minister for the Civil Service The Rt Hon Tony Blair MP Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State The Rt Hon John Prescott MP Chancellor of the Exchequer The Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons The […]
Restructuring Central Government
Some confusion appears to be surfacing in the restructuring of government departments following last week’s election and the subsequent Cabinet reshuffle.Importantly, two new departments have been created on 8th June (last Friday) which will replace the Department for Education and Employment and the Department of Social Security:The Department for Work, Family and Pensions, apparently already […]
Pay settlements on an even keel
While headline inflation has dipped down sharply over the past few months to below 2 per cent, pay settlements remain on a fairly even keel. The key range for private sector pay reviews is 2.5 to 3.5 per cent, with a particular concentration around 3 per cent. These are among the findings of the latest […]
Sir John Harvey Jones – the interview
This week’s FTdynamo column conducts an interview with Sir John Harvey JonesSir John Harvey Jones MBE, is a former chairman of ICI and was once voted ‘Britain’s Most Impressive Industrialist’ by his fellow peers. His BBC programme ‘Trouble Shooter’ saw him rise to prominence on British television as he gave small businesses the benefit of […]
Recruiting people with disabilities: Are you aware of the issues?
The following guest article presents the business, legal and ethical cases for being positive about employing disabled people. It’s written by Jean Brading of Kennetbridge Employment Specialists.Although disabled people themselves have long held the view that they should be able to compete on an equal footing with their non-disabled peers, it is only since the […]
Jean Brading
Jean Brading has a background in HR and careers work. For the last ten years, she has specialised in various aspects of equal opportunities, diversity and employment, and has published widely on disability in particular. She has developed materials and delivered training for many kinds of organisations: for example, the City of London Police, the […]
Consultants: Why and when do we need them.
HR Zone and TrainingZONE online workshop: Consultants: Why and when do we need them.13.00 hours British Summer Time (GMT+1 hour)at http://www.hrzone.co.uk/workshopConsultants: sometimes seen as saviours and sometimes seen as pains in the posterior. Why is there such s difference in perceptions surrounding them?This Tuesday’s workshop examine’s the role of consultants and how to get the […]
Redundancy? It’s not such bad news says survey.
According to research by career consultancy Drake Beam Morin (DBM) redundancy does not automatically mean extreme stress, strained relationships or financial ruin for families where the main breadwinner has lost their job.In fact, rather than damaging family ties and personal relationships two in five respondents felt redundancy had actually strengthened their relationship with their spouse […]
Employers warn that LSC will be dominated by educationalists
In its response to the draft corporate plan produced by the national Learning and Skills Council (LSC), the Engineering Employers' Federation (EEF) has expressed concern that employers must be given greater power to affect strategic education and training priorities, especially at a local level. Failure to do so will leave post-16 education and training supply, […]
E-procurement: Are you ready yet?
Consultants Highams Consulting who work within the financial services sector report from survey results that only 15% of companies use e-procurement (buying through internet enabled offerings) for HR goods and services.The figure is higher for the baniking sector where 25% use e-procurement and hits 45% for the financial broking sector.Executive Director at Highams Consulting, Clive […]
Investing for the future – can you be bothered?
Having spent the last hour in a stakeholder pension consultation meeting I have to say that it is not one of the most exciting topics being spoken of in meeting rooms up and down the UK. However, the meeting I attended was technically correct, with a presentation made by a chap who knew the present […]
DfEE Expenditure Plans
The expenditure plans for the Department for Education and Employment for 2001-02 and 2003-04 have been posted as a .pdf document to the Official Documents website. The expenditure plans were laid before parliament in March 2001
Workshop Report: Teleworking – the agony and the ecstacy
In a workshop session of two/three the debate may still be enlightening!Jon Seaton Hi RichardRichard Rothwell hi there – was getting lonelyJon Seaton There’s still a few minutes to the official start time at 13.00. Let’s hope some more will join us by then!Richard Rothwell have you used these workshops before?Jon Seaton Yes Richard, I’m […]
Workshop: Teleworking – the agony and the ecstacy! 5 June 2001
HR Zone and TrainingZONE Online WorkshopTeleworking: The agony and the Ecstacy!Tuesday 5 June 2001, 13:00-13:45 BSTat http://www.hrzone.co.uk/workshop/This workshop is a forum for exploring the benefits and disadvantages of working at a distance with the support of modern communications technologies. In a recent survey nearly 60% of respondents said that they would be happier if they […]
