Is a four-day working week really possible?
Advances in technology, stagnant productivity levels and a greater focus on employee wellbeing has opened up the debate on what a typical working week could look like in the future. The working world is rapidly evolving, not only as a result of the introduction of revolutionary technologies, but also due to changing employee viewpoints, attitudes, and expectations. People’s […]
Why it’s time to humanise the workplace
How often do you have meaningful conversations with colleagues at work? If the answer is ‘rarely’, then find out why it’s time to make a positive, conscious change in the way you approach workplace relationships. Mental health seems to be top of the HR agenda at the moment. This is thanks in part to the efforts of Prince William and others […]
Activate and amplify: making social learning work
Social learning is happening all around us but there is still an opportunity to embed these experiences into L&D culture to expand its reach more into strategic planning. Despite the title, L&D professionals do not need to make social learning work in an organisation – because it already works. Whenever somebody taps a colleague on the […]
Standing desks: 5 ways HR can facilitate change
The case in favour of employees standing at desks rather than sitting is a strong one. Countless studies have been conducted into how much more happy, productive and healthy employees are if they spend less time sitting and more time standing. The University of Loughborough has just produced a study which was covered by the BBC; […]
How mentoring can benefit your business
Mentoring schemes are hugely beneficial, and not just because they enhance personal development. They can also contribute to the overall success of an organisation. I started my human resources career by joining a two-year graduate programme where I was partnered with a mentor from the outset. At the time, I wasn’t aware of the benefits of […]
Working parents are an absolute must for companies
Becoming a parent equips you with a huge range of transferable skills for the modern workplace, including networking, communication and time management. A new dad goes for an interview at a consultancy firm and hears: “There are two types of people, those who want to be home for bedtime, and those who don’t, and this job […]
Professional development: the challenges of introducing a coaching culture
At Academics’ Corner we explore the latest HR research coming out of the academic sector that HR professionals need to know about. Here, Jan Hills, Partner at Head Heart + Brian, discusses research on the issues faced with introducing a coaching culture. According to a new study from the International Centre for Leadership Coaching, most managers don’t understand what coaching […]
The UK’s savings gap: is a workplace ISA the solution?
The recent Autumn Budget seems to have included a conscious decision to do nothing when it comes to addressing the savings gap, especially for the younger generation and the millions of low paid or self-employed not impacted by pensions auto-enrolment. To what extent do employee benefits reflect what employees actually want? Within the context of […]
Why flexible working beats the 9-5
The workplace has changed dramatically, in part because advances in technology have enabled remote and flexible working, but not all employers can see the benefits. Work to live, or live to work – whichever way round you see it, employees still have lives to lead alongside their jobs. Ultimately, and sadly for Dolly Parton, working 9-5 […]
The gig economy: how has the Government responded?
The rise of the gig economy has radically changed the modern labour market, so how should employers respond to changes proposed by the Government? With the promise of flexible hours and fast money, it’s easy to see why the so-called ‘gig economy’ has boomed in the UK in the last few years. In fact, the […]
Communications: how to be open and honest, even in times of growth
Honesty is the best policy when it comes to managing internal communication during a period of change. Keeping your workforce updated and addressing their concerns will alleviate stress and keep your team together. One of the biggest challenges HR directors face when their business is going through significant growth is deciding how best to communicate the […]
The selection process: algorithmic bias or bias against algorithms?
The use of algorithms to select candidates, or indeed any kind of pre-defined criteria, has its limitations in the world of recruitment. So, can there ever be a definitive way to review applicants efficiently and fairly? Amazon Gender-Diversity Fail Shows Limits of Tech read the headline from Reuters on October 10. Sounds familiar doesn’t it? The dangers posed by AI is […]
How to support an ageing workforce
Find out how companies can create an environment and culture that retains staff beyond retirement age. Britain is growing old and as the population increases, the proportion of the population aged 85 and over is projected to double over the next 25 years and the number of those working for longer rises with it. Recent […]
If we’re okay, why are mental health absences going up and up in organisations across the UK?
Dealing with mental health issues effectively in the workplace is a complex issue, so opening the channels of communication is the crucial first step every business should take. “Do you want to hurt yourself or anyone else?” “Err no, I just want to stop feeling this way.” An awkward silence. End of conversation. If talking to a […]
Do your managers want to manage?
Do your managers love managing people or have they been promoted for their technical skills despite lacking people skills? With many businesses today tightening the purse strings on L&D, it’s important that you invest in the right people for the job. When was the last time you asked your managers if they want to manage? Have […]
Pay as an engagement tool: time for a rethink?
Salary incentives have historically been used as a way of boosting employee performance, but do increasing economic pressures mean companies need to find alternative ways of engaging staff? The sticky issues of restrained wage growth and talent shortages are not going away. With pay budgets continuing to hover around 2-3%, any form of differentiation based on performance or contribution […]
How to earn employee trust in your business
In the opening keynote of CIPD’s Annual Conference and Exhibition 2018, award-winning author, speaker and lecturer Rachel Botsman explored the value of trust in today’s society. Opening up the 2018 CIPD conference, Rachel Botsman, author of ‘Who Can You Trust’ and ‘What’s Mine is Yours’, explored how little we really know about trust, how bad […]
Why the workplace is an ideal context to practice mindfulness
From Google to Ebay, from KPMG to BT, a growing number of companies have invested in mindfulness training programmes, recognising the potential of mindfulness as a life skill to improve focus and clarity, listening and decision-making skills and perhaps most importantly, overall well-being. And you’ve guessed it, a more resilient, less stressed and anxious workplace is […]
Why should HR care about the adult social care crisis?
HR practitioners are responsible for adapting benefits frameworks to meet changing workforce demands. Could adult social care vouchers be a tax-efficient solution for our ageing population? Adult social care has reached breaking point. Not only is there a significant shortfall between what local authorities allocate per adult per week (£490) and what it actually costs (£600), an estimated […]
Why HR teams should recognise and reward a ‘mission-centric’ work ethic
Academic research highlights the need for HR departments to focus on the positive impact individuals can have on an organisation when they are genuinely motivated by its central mission. My co-author Professor Howard H. Yu (IMD) and I have taken a fresh look at research previously undertaken between the 1970s and 1990s by Joseph Bower (Harvard), Henry Mintzberg (McGill) […]
