Dotcoms face employee action
Dotcom sector workers are facing job losses and labor unrest as companies collapse. Employees at Amazon and other online retailers are voting on unionization efforts, citing mass layoffs, low wages, and the worthlessness of stock options that once promised wealth.
Looking for Kevin Mitchell
Seeking to reconnect with Kevin Mitchell, a senior recruitment specialist based in Birmingham with experience at TMP and PA Consulting. Anyone with contact information or leads is asked to help.
2000: Looking back at a year of HR
The year 2000 brought significant HR challenges, including fierce debates over workplace regulation between legislators, trade unionists, and employers. Key developments included parental leave regulations, the minimum wage increase to £3.70, and alarming workplace bullying statistics showing 47% of employees witnessed bullying.
How you can become a European Company
EU Employment Ministers agreed to establish a European Company Statute, allowing pan-European companies to operate under EU law rather than national regulations. The statute includes mandatory worker participation in major company decisions, though business groups like the CBI expressed lukewarm support over concerns about implementation and additional EU regulations needed for full operational capability.
Few workers have reduced their hours despite new regulations
Two years after the Working Time Regulations took effect, 60% of workers who previously worked over 48 hours weekly continue to do so, with only 2% reducing hours directly due to the policy. Despite limited compliance, nearly half of surveyed workers view the regulations positively as necessary protections against excessive working hours.
Unlimited Women will attend Women Unlimited
Women Unlimited, the first Government-led opportunities fair for women, takes place February 13th 2001. The free event brings together employers, training organisations, and experts to offer interactive seminars, exhibitions, and networking for women exploring work choices, career changes, and business start-ups.
Senior staff benefit most in NHS pay settlement
Senior NHS staff, particularly nurses taking on new responsibilities, benefit most from the Government’s latest pay settlement. The above-inflation pay rises, accepted for a third consecutive year, include 3.7% increases for nurses and 3.9% for doctors, with senior nurses receiving over 5% increases totaling £1,270-£1,515 annually.
Work Permit Holders and Redundancy
Work permit holders facing redundancy must be treated fairly under employment law, but sponsorship status and immigration implications add complexity to selection decisions. Employers should apply consistent, objective criteria regardless of visa sponsorship while considering legal obligations to both sponsored employees and EU citizens.
Induction design consultants
Seeking specialist induction design consultants to develop a flexible, multi-format framework for a 1,200-person organization. Project scope includes planning, research, and resource design to replace outdated paper-based systems with accessible digital and traditional materials.
"Screw around vigorously" the Tom Peters way
Tom Peters advises managers to “Screw Around Vigorously” (S.A.V.) in uncertain times, encouraging bold experimentation and unconventional thinking. Speaking at a London seminar, Peters argues that traditional corporate strategies fail in today’s rapidly changing business environment, urging leaders to abandon rigid approaches and embrace creative risk-taking.
Disabled student wins right to take the General Medical Council to tribunal
A disabled student has won the right to take the General Medical Council to an employment tribunal for rejecting her medical training application. The London Employment Tribunal ruled the GMC is covered by disability discrimination law, allowing Heidi Cox to pursue her case.
CBI warns of destabilising campaign on EU directive
The Confederation of British Industry warns against an EU directive requiring employers with over 50 staff to consult workers, calling it destabilising and unnecessary. The CBI argues that EU-wide legislation would undermine businesses’ ability to communicate with employees in ways suited to local practices.
Jowell: Labour Market Strong
The UK’s claimant count falls below 1 million as the labour market shows strong growth, with employment rising 18,000 and long-term unemployment declining significantly. Employment Minister Tessa Jowell highlighted the expansion of New Deal programmes to move welfare recipients into jobs while maintaining wage responsibility.
Skills Management Survey
A survey of European organizations found that 96% consider skills assessment important, yet only 64% have programs in place. Implementation varies significantly by country, with The Netherlands leading at 77% and the UK/Ireland lagging at 25%, despite widespread recognition that computerized systems would add value.
The Government is to cut red tape to speed up equal pay hearings
The Government has announced plans to reduce bureaucracy in equal pay hearings to speed up the process, addressing an 18 percent gender pay gap. Employment Minister Tessa Jowell launched a consultation paper proposing streamlined tribunals and simpler procedures to resolve cases faster, as equal pay complaints currently take years to resolve.
Actions Speak Louder Than Words
The Disability Rights Commission launched “Actions Speak Louder Than Words,” a campaign calling on business, sports, entertainment and media leaders to make practical commitments enabling disabled people to participate fully in society. The campaign features a pioneering short film showing a world where disabled people thrive and non-disabled people are the minority.
The wrong work-life balance? 10 signs that your marriage is in trouble
Discover 10 warning signs that your marriage may be struggling, from communication breakdown to emotional distance. Learn how work-life imbalance can impact your relationship and what to watch for.
Raising Morale – an Interview with Joe Galuska
Joe Galuszka, Chief Morale Officer at Scient, discusses how the company retains talent through a grassroots CMO program, measuring employee satisfaction, promoting company culture, and managing communication across rapidly expanding operations. In a competitive hiring market, Galuszka argues that culture and workplace environment are key differentiators beyond compensation.
Incomes Data Sevices: Pay Settlements running at 3%
Incomes Data Services reports that autumn pay settlements are clustering around 3-4%, with most deals at exactly 3% as inflation stabilizes. Fewer settlements are falling below 3%, though only a handful exceed 4%.
Modernisation of the Supported Employment Programme
The Government has modernised its £161m Supported Employment Programme, rebranded as WORKSTEP, to help around 5,000 disabled people progress into mainstream employment over three years. The initiative introduces new eligibility criteria, progression targets, and outcome-related funding to support the 22,000 disabled people already in the scheme.
