TUC campaign to clean up Britain’s dirtiest workplaces
The TUC is launching a campaign to improve safety standards in Britain’s workplaces, introducing a new guide to help unions address exposure to harmful chemicals, dusts, and fumes. Over seven million British workers breathe hazardous substances daily that can cause serious illnesses including asthma, dermatitis, and cancers like mesothelioma, particularly in construction, agriculture, and manufacturing sectors.
Lessons from Geese
This post seeks a UK supplier for the motivational video “Lessons from Geese,” produced by Saatchi & Saatchi’s New Zealand division. The video explores teamwork principles inspired by goose behavior and their flying formations.
Dress Down Days? Duvet Days? try Stress Down Days!
Stress Down Days are a workplace wellness initiative designed to reduce employee stress and prevent stress-related illnesses. Employers can implement these days through fun activities, team building, and wellness programs, helping protect staff mental health while reducing legal liability for stress-related claims.
TUC: 170,000 are still earning less than the minimum wage
Despite most employers complying with minimum wage law, new TUC figures reveal 170,000 workers are still being paid below the legal rate. The union is calling for significant increases to the adult minimum wage and an end to lower rates for younger workers.
How to avoid bad debts with clients
Discover how to prevent bad debts and improve cash flow with PayMentor’s automated five-step solution. This online service handles client satisfaction checks, payment reminders, debt collection, and credit bureau notifications to keep your money flowing while maintaining customer relationships.
Still useless without one?
High caffeine intake above 350mg daily—roughly three cups of coffee and a cup of tea—impairs workplace concentration and increases stress levels, according to research by Volvic. A survey of 1,000 office workers found 76% consumed caffeinated beverages more than three times daily, with over half reporting stress-related issues.
Live to Work, or work to Live?
Companies are offering unprecedented perks like on-site childcare, concierge services, and sabbaticals to retain talent, blurring the line between work and personal life. While these benefits attract employees, they may inadvertently encourage longer work hours and blur work-life boundaries.
Integrating the HR and Payroll Function
Integrating HR and payroll functions takes center stage at Softworld’s Human Resources and Payroll event, where vendors showcase latest integrated software solutions and industry leaders discuss the advantages and challenges of departmental integration, including data ownership and internal processes.
360-degrees feedback in practice
360-degree feedback systems help organizations assess employee performance from multiple perspectives, including managers, peers, and direct reports. This research explores the acceptability and applicability of these programs in Malaysian organizations, seeking expert insights to benchmark findings against established practices.
Get fell in and get selling you ’orrible lot!
Centrefile conducted a 36-hour team-building program at the Army’s Infantry Training Centre in Catterick for 60 sales executives and managers in January 2001. Participants underwent military-style exercises including night orienteering, shooting, abseiling, and obstacle courses designed to build team spirit, confidence, and a “can do” attitude among road-based staff.
Loophole allows Home Office to reject blind solicitor
A legal loophole allowed the Home Office to deny a blind solicitor, Andrew Kamoza, a guaranteed interview for an asylum adjudicator position despite Disability Discrimination Act protections. The Disability Rights Commission is calling on the Home Secretary to close this loophole and ensure disabled people have equal employment opportunities.
Pay deal reached for BMW at Cowley
BMW workers at the Cowley plant in Oxfordshire have voted to accept a new two-year pay deal that is expected to make them the highest-paid car workers in the UK. The settlement comes after workers rejected a previous offer just two weeks earlier.
Sunderland heaves a sigh of relief
Nissan confirmed plans to build its new Micra model at its Sunderland plant, securing 500 new jobs and the future of 5,000 existing workers. The decision includes a £235 million investment and increased annual production from 330,000 to 500,000 cars.
Women are still way behind men in European paystakes
Women in the EU earn significantly less than men, with a gender pay gap of 17% in hourly wages. The gap widens in the private sector and varies by industry, while childcare responsibilities disproportionately affect women’s workforce participation.
Everything changed during maternity leave
A Glasgow employment tribunal heard how an administration manager at First National Bank returned from maternity leave to discover her desk reassigned, her role restructured, and her personal belongings moved to a cupboard without notice, prompting claims of sex discrimination and constructive dismissal.
Appraisals – Definitions of Grades
This appraisal system uses five grade levels (A-E) to evaluate employee performance, ranging from exceeding objectives at the highest level to failing to meet most objectives at the lowest. The grades provide a structured framework for assessing whether employees have fulfilled their agreed objectives and identifying areas needing improvement.
New and re-designed HR related websites
Several HR-related websites have recently launched or undergone redesigns, including HSEdirect, the TUC site, the Partnership Institute, SHRM, and the Involvement and Participation Association’s Partnership at Work portal. Early reports indicate some initial technical issues with these new sites.
Workshop report: Service standards and recruitment agencies
This workshop report examines service standards in recruitment agencies, exploring inconsistencies in how they treat job applicants and clients. Participants discuss whether agencies prioritize quantity over quality placements and suggest that stronger client relationships and quality-focused recruitment practices could improve overall service standards.
Learning the Rules of the Business Game
Business is a game with profit and loss instead of runs and goals, according to Jack Stack’s management training program. The Great Game of Business teaches employees to read financial accounts and understand their impact on company performance through open-book management and individual scorecards.
Telegraph Feature – Why working today can be such a pain
Modern workplaces often overlook musculoskeletal disorders, creating legal risks for employers. The article explores how organizations can address these health issues proactively and what employees can do to prevent workplace-related injuries.
