More businesses are on the net
New research by Oftel reveals that 93% of medium-sized businesses and 69% of small businesses are now connected to the Internet or in the process of connecting. Over 70% of connected businesses report using the Internet more frequently than when they first went online, with cost emerging as a key factor in choosing service providers.
Further jobs to go in banking
Alliance and Leicester Building Society will eliminate up to 1,500 jobs over three years as part of a £100 million cost-saving plan and shift toward internet banking operations.
GPs set to give more help on health at work
GPs and practice nurses are receiving new support through a Distance Learning Programme to better advise patients about occupational health. Backed by £6 million NHS investment, the initiative includes training resources and a practical guide to help primary care teams address work-related health issues, which cost the UK economy billions annually.
Help to change career for social worker
Experienced social worker seeking career transition to full-time training and development. Learn about qualifications needed, training subject areas to pursue, and practical steps to shift from direct practice into training delivery and instructional roles.
Mentoring in the Private Sector
Glasgow Mentoring Network seeks best practice examples from private sector mentoring programs that support careleavers, business startups, and other initiatives. Organizations can share successful approaches, evaluation results, and lessons learned to improve mentoring quality across sectors.
Spritually-friendly workplaces are more likely to be profitable.
Spiritually-friendly workplaces foster better employee well-being and prove more profitable, according to a Benedictine monk and former businessman speaking at a personnel development conference. Integrating spiritual dimensions into workplace culture improves relationships, emotional intelligence, and work-life balance while boosting productivity and profitability.
CIPD Speaker: Men don’t have the brains to talk properly
Body language expert Allan Pease claims women use 60-80% of their brains for communication compared to men’s 10%, giving them superior verbal skills and advantages in knowledge economy jobs. He argues men’s brains evolved for single-task focus while women developed stronger communication abilities for relationship-building, making them better suited to modern coaching-based management styles.
A new record high for the cost of labour turnover
The cost of labour turnover surged 10.5% last year, reaching record highs for staff replacement and indirect customer losses, according to the CIPD. Professional staff turnover averaged £5,206 per departure, while manual staff averaged £1,127, despite overall labour turnover declining 2% to 18.3%.
Flexibility and the right work-life balance deliver real business benefits
A new study reveals that flexible working policies deliver measurable business benefits including lower absenteeism, higher staff retention, and increased productivity. However, managers’ negative perceptions often create obstacles, and organizations achieve better results when flexible working is formalized as company policy rather than handled through informal individual negotiations.
competency framework
A competency framework helps organizations define and assess the skills, knowledge, and behaviors required for specific roles. This post explores establishing competency frameworks for in-house facilitators focused on value-driven work, including guidance on selection and performance monitoring.
Use of ACAS is on the rise
ACAS usage surged to record levels, with public enquiries rising 40 percent to 715,000 and employment tribunal case resolutions increasing 32 percent. The service successfully resolved 76 percent of cases before reaching tribunals, while new employment regulations on working time and minimum wage drove increased complaints and disputes.
CBI makes another plea for Employment Tribunal reform
The CBI is calling for Employment Tribunal reforms after applications jumped 32 percent annually, urging the government to reduce full hearings and promote alternative dispute resolution methods to ease system overload.
Working Time Directive – CIPD Publication
The CIPD’s revised ‘Working Time Regulations’ guide answers key questions about the Working Time Directive, including holiday entitlements, maximum working hours, and worker definitions. Written by employment lawyers, the second edition incorporates recent tribunal decisions and regulatory amendments to help employers and employees understand their rights and obligations.
Is a pension the only way to save for retirement?
Pensions aren’t the only retirement savings option. As tax benefits decline, alternative investments like ISAs and taxable accounts are increasingly important for comprehensive retirement planning.
Equal Opportunities Workshop: Request for EO training materials advice.
A CIPD trainer seeks recommendations for equal opportunities and equal access training materials that address the subject from a training perspective. The request invites suggestions for quality EO resources suitable for trainers and training practitioners.
Employers must over-staff to survive
HR research reveals significant misunderstandings between employers and employees about work expectations and loyalty. With staff prioritizing work-life balance and job mobility, employers must invest heavily in recruitment, retention, and succession planning to maintain organizational performance.
International call for DotUnion
The TUC and international trade unions are campaigning to create a .union internet domain, giving unions worldwide a distinct online presence and unique web addresses. The ICFTU has applied to ICANN for this top-level domain, with support from major unions including the AFL-CIO and COSATU, to strengthen unions’ digital infrastructure and visibility.
What do you do when your employer runs out of money?
When your employer runs out of money to pay wages, immediate action is crucial. This guide outlines essential steps including contacting your employer, understanding your legal rights, and exploring compensation options through government schemes designed to protect workers in financial hardship situations.
GP recruitment set to rise
GP recruitment in England is improving, with 91% of senior GP vacancies now filled within 12 months, up from 86% in 1999. The Health Minister announced a government review of primary care staffing to optimize workforce deployment and support plans to add 2,000 GPs by 2004.
New Official Stakeholder Pensions Website
Opra has launched a new website featuring a register of stakeholder pension schemes. The register helps employers verify that schemes they intend to designate for staff are properly registered, ahead of October 2001 requirements for employers with five or more employees.
