Foundation Degrees: Firming up the HE – Business Coalition
Foundation degrees are a new vocational higher education qualification designed to connect academic learning with workplace skills. Developed through partnerships between employers, universities, and colleges, these programs cover fields from engineering to digital broadcasting and can be studied full or part-time while working.
"Treating workers fairly is the way to cut down Tribunals” says TUC
The TUC argues that rising employment tribunal cases stem from employers failing to treat workers fairly rather than system flaws. Fair personnel procedures and union recognition could reduce disputes, while non-union employers risk costly tribunal cases from unfair practices.
New Employment Tribunal Proposals
The UK government announced proposals to reform the Employment Tribunal system, including increased costs for vexatious claims (up to £10,000), powers to strike out weak cases, and a new ACAS arbitration scheme as an alternative to formal hearings. The changes aim to reduce frivolous claims while speeding up resolution for legitimate disputes.
Mobile phones: a risk for employers?
Mobile phones sold in the UK will carry health warnings despite a government inquiry finding no evidence of health damage, creating potential liability concerns for employers who issue devices to staff without official guidance.
Red Tape or Red Herring?
The TUC challenges claims that employment regulations harm manufacturing competitiveness, arguing there’s no evidence stricter worker protections reduce business performance. The union dismisses industry complaints about bureaucracy as a red herring.
OneClickHR create a spark with BT Ignite
OneClickHR partners with BT Ignite Content Hosting to deliver its Personnel Director HR software via ASP using a revolutionary “pay per record stored” pricing model instead of traditional per-user fees, enabling access for businesses of all sizes across the UK and Europe.
Law Society faces discrimination claim at tribunal
The Law Society faces race and sex discrimination claims at an employment tribunal in Watford, brought by former vice-president Kamlesh Bahl, who left after bullying allegations were upheld. The case is expected to last four weeks and could cost the organization over £1.5 million.
New Measures to Reduce Employment Tribunal Cases
New government measures will allow employment tribunals to dismiss unfounded claims without hearings and increase maximum costs against claimants from £500 to £10,000 for unreasonable behavior, responding to employer concerns about rising tribunal cases.
Managers are becoming more anti-Euro
UK managers have become strongly anti-euro, with 61% opposing membership in a recent Institute of Management survey, compared to just 47% in favor 18 months earlier. Despite widespread belief that UK entry is inevitable, managers cite concerns about the European Central Bank’s competence, economic differences with European partners, and potential for higher taxes and regulation.
IIPeNET – Sharing Experience to Improve Practice
IIPeNET is a free professional network for Investors in People practitioners to share experiences, knowledge, and best practices. Join advisers, assessors, and assessment unit employees in improving implementation and consistency of the UK National Standard.
The Creative Media Group Invests in Multimedia Based Training for the Hospitality Industry
The Creative Media Group launches Creative Training Media, a new division developing multimedia-based training programs for hospitality and food industries. Backed by private investors and equipped with a £30,000 studio, the company plans to release comprehensive training packages covering health and safety, food hygiene, and workplace compliance.
Travel Expenses for Overseas Travel
Organizations handle overseas travel compensation through various methods beyond overtime pay, including travel time allowances, per diem rates, and compressed work schedules. This guide explores cost-effective alternatives for reimbursing employees on frequent long-haul business trips.
FREE Online Business Management and IT Skills courses.
iLearn.To offers over 650 online business management and IT skills courses from providers like BBC, PwC, and Harvard. UK members can access unlimited courses for one year, with Individual Learning Account grants worth £150 available to eligible applicants.
Establishing and running a work experience scheme
A formal work experience scheme removes administrative burden and creates value for students and employers alike. Establishing clear procedures helps identify talented candidates, develops staff supervisory skills, and promotes equal opportunities while building industry awareness.
What bugs you about search and selection provision
A researcher is gathering feedback on frustrations with search and selection services for hiring organizations, job seekers, and recruitment providers. Share your perspective on current pain points, improvement suggestions, and ways to enhance the hiring process and candidate experience.
Women Rule as Leaders – The American View
U.S. businesses increasingly promote women to senior leadership roles, though barriers persist in reaching CEO positions. Women often advance to Human Resources or public relations—fields offering limited growth—or pursue better work-life balance and entrepreneurship instead of climbing the corporate ladder.
A Hiring Fumble
Research shows U.S. businesses often fail to optimize their websites for recruitment, making it difficult for job seekers to find employment opportunities and submit applications. A Business Week Online report highlights how companies underutilize their own sites for hiring.
National helpline urged in strategy to tackle racisism
A new national ‘Race Support Line’ is urged to help combat racial harassment in Britain, alongside improved multi-agency responses to incidents. The proposal comes from a comprehensive survey of over 250 agencies across the UK, which found widespread under-reporting of racial attacks and inconsistent responses from authorities.
The Human Rights Act – the story so far…
The Human Rights Act has already significantly impacted UK business and law, influencing IR35 judicial reviews and benefit discrimination cases. Revenue powers, employment tribunals, and workplace email access may face legal challenges under the act.
TUC receives top diversity awards
The TUC has won two top diversity awards at the British Diversity Awards for its work tackling institutional racism and advancing equality. General Secretary John Monks received the Gold Award for commitment to diversity, including campaigns on LGBTQ+ workplace rights and pension equality for part-time workers.
