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) […]
How data can enhance employee wellbeing
Imagine if there was a way to measure levels of happiness in the workplace and improve them? Well, advances in technology are enabling employers to do just that by monitoring employee behaviour through smart devices. Research has found that employee happiness in the workplace has a direct impact on productivity. Put simply, the happier someone is, the better […]
Embracing the shadow side of organisational life
Corridor conversations, power struggles and personality clashes are realities of organisation life. Often referred to as the shadow side, these behaviours are perceived as wholly negative and unhelpful to organisation effectiveness. I challenge this ‘always bad’ perspective. In the shadow lies the real work of getting along with each other. It is where human beings […]
Why better employee relations starts with learning and development
There are many reasons why employee relations needs to be the new focus of training, all of which stem from organisations moving to flatter structures and informality, without equipping themselves with the conversation and relationship skills needed for this new world of work. The latest figures from the Ministry of Justice show an overwhelming demand […]
The blockchain effect: why businesses need to prepare employees
Blockchain will soon be disrupting the business world in ways that are difficult to fathom. To prepare for the changes ahead, organisations need to upskill, retool and transform their workforce. But how? How much do you know about blockchain? Perhaps your mind instantly moves to bitcoin, the most widely known of the hundreds of ‘cryptocurrencies’ […]
Are you a horrible boss? How to tell if your team is engaged
You may think you’re a good manager, but have you sat down with each member of your team and directly asked? The answers you recieve may difficult to swallow, but they will also be key to improving your team’s engagement and productivity. No one sets out to become a bad boss. However, it is almost inevitable […]
Money worries and mental health: what can businesses do?
We are a nation that heavily relies on borrowing money – and this does not look set to change anytime soon. But what is the impact of financial debt on health and wellbeing? It’s not uncommon for people to feel stressed as a result of their financial situation. And this in turn has been strongly […]
Come on, just get on and do it! Breaking apart a broken organisational structure
Blaire Palmer is CEO of That People Thing, a consultancy dedicated to inspiring leaders in fast-paced, ambitious businesses to drive change in their organisations in partnership with their people. Blaire has been described as a “secret weapon”, a “business muse” and “that lady who does the leadership and team stuff”. She is a regular guest expert […]
