New Maternity Rules announced by Byers
Trade and Industry Secretary Stephen Byers announced new maternity measures including extending unpaid leave to one year, simplifying regulations for employers and employees, and launching a website to help working mothers understand their entitlements.
Employment and the Law
HR Zone provides comprehensive employment law resources including legal guides, contract templates, government employment information, and news coverage. Access services from law firms, consultants, and organizations like OneClickHR and Compactlaw, plus ask questions in the community forum.
New newsfeeds and directories for HR and Training professionals from UK Government
UK Government HR and Training information is now available through TrainingZONE and HR Zone. New resources cover employment advice, pensions, benefits, management practices, taxation, and learning accounts, organized across dedicated resource centers for easy access.
TUC drops action as Government settles parental leave issue
The TUC has withdrawn its European court case against the government over parental leave after officials agreed to cover legal costs and grant extra time for previously excluded parents to take their leave. The settlement marks a government climb-down on the issue.
TUC figures reveal 18,000 deaths from asbestos in four years
A TUC report reveals 18,000 asbestos deaths in Britain over four years, with 4,500 dying annually from asbestos-related diseases. The highest death tolls concentrated in areas with shipbuilding, manufacturing, and dock industries, particularly Tyne and Wear and London’s East End.
Sacking with Confidence
Business leaders face pressure to announce redundancies, but handling layoffs with confidence requires more than cost-cutting rhetoric. Beyond the painful logistics of dismissals, companies must address “survivor syndrome” among remaining staff through genuine support, generous terms, and outplacement assistance to maintain morale and long-term stability.
Parental leave extended
Parents of disabled children can now take up to 18 weeks of unpaid parental leave until age 18, while parents of children under five get 13 weeks. The DTI estimates 2.8 million families will benefit from this extension, with universal support from employers and family groups.
Newly Self-employed? Registered? You should!
Self-employed people who started before January 31 must register with the Inland Revenue by April 30 to avoid a £100 fine. Registration covers Class 2 National Insurance contributions and Self Assessment income tax, and can be completed by phone or mail.
Employment Service uses technology for better service
The Employment Service is modernizing its operations through new technology, replacing traditional job boards with touch-screen kiosks called Jobpoints and launching services like Employer Direct to streamline job searches and vacancy postings across Britain.
Fair Play Champions join the drive to equal pay
Fair Pay Champions, leaders from businesses and unions, will work with government to advance equal pay across public and private sectors. The initiative includes extending work-based programs to help women return to employment after career breaks.
Training Policies
A newly appointed call centre trainer should implement comprehensive training and development policies covering onboarding, skill assessments, ongoing coaching, performance monitoring, and career progression. Effective policies ensure consistency, improve employee retention, and enhance customer service quality across the team.
Do Trainer needs to understand
Trainers benefit from deep self-understanding to effectively teach others. This foundational knowledge helps trainers manage their own biases, communicate authentically, and model the behaviors and emotional intelligence they’re instructing in organizational behavior courses.
Knowing when to resign
Recognizing when to resign from a leadership position requires attention to organizational warning signs such as declining employee morale, executive departures, plunging stock performance, and a loss of confidence from board members and staff. This article outlines key indicators that suggest it may be time to step down.
REC urges care with data protection
Recruiters must exercise caution with candidate data protection, especially as the Data Protection Act increasingly applies to online information sharing. The REC advises obtaining explicit consent before distributing personal details and maintaining clear privacy statements on websites.
Pregnancy and Maternity – New advice web pages from EOC
The Equal Opportunities Commission has launched new advice web pages addressing pregnancy and maternity discrimination. These pages provide guidance on sex discrimination issues, with the initial set published in April 2001.
EIRO publishes 2000 Annual Review
The European Industrial Relations Observatory has published its 2000 Annual Review, providing comprehensive summaries of employment information for the UK economy and other countries.
Pay rates steady, says CBI survey
Pay awards in the UK held steady in early 2001, with service sector settlements averaging 4.1% and manufacturing at 3.1%, according to a CBI survey. The stable growth eases concerns that falling unemployment would trigger inflation pressures on wages.
EOC settles their own employee’s sex discrimination case
The Equal Opportunities Commission has settled a sex discrimination case with its own employee, Kevin Marsh, who claimed he was overlooked for promotion after reducing his hours for childcare. The settlement was reached before the Manchester Employment Tribunal hearing, though terms remain confidential.
Employee AssistanceOccupational Health
Discover how occupational health services and employee assistance programs can reduce workplace absence. This research explores occupational health provision effectiveness, costs, and impact on employee attendance and morale in manufacturing environments.
Graduates: work hard and be flexible
New graduates with strong interpersonal skills and flexibility are securing professional jobs in today’s market, while others struggle. Work experience and adaptability are crucial advantages, though a degree alone doesn’t guarantee career success.
