Seven Emails: from childlike interactions to gender equality and the alienation of labour
Seven Emails is our conversation-driven dose of insight. We start with a topic and see how the topic is moulded and changed in seven emails. Fancy getting involved? Drop us a line at editor@hrzone.com and we'll get something set up. You pick the topic, we'll respond. Then we'll have five emails to take us to […]
Comms, culture & company values – our picks from this week’s HR news
It's been another interesting week in the world of HR; we've rounded up our favourite articles and blogs from the past week into a tidy little package for you to consume over your lunch break or commute. Enjoy, and let us know what else you've enjoyed reading this week! Food for thought – Why everyone […]
Whistleblowing – what actions can employers take?
It seems that employer’s actions regarding whistleblowing – also known as a ‘public disclosure’ – have never been more under scrutiny. For the past couple of years, stories of whistleblowing in the NHS have been so prevalent that special new laws applicable only in the NHS are being introduced to protect its workers who have […]
How can we solve problems so everyone wins?
The first stage is about identifying needs. If the listening phase does not lead to a resolution, it will be necessary to negotiate and problem solve. The listening is likely to identify a variety of unmet needs. List these and decide on one to work with, as it is unwise to work with several issues […]
Working time: includes traveling to appointments?
What is working time? It sounds like a simple question doesn’t it? However, the Regulations governing this question are complex, and have given rise to a considerable amount of litigation. The latest litigation concerns travel time to first and from last customers of the day and for those who do not have a fixed or […]
“In essence, comms should be short, sharp and succinct.”
This is an interview between Jamie Lawrence, Editor of HRZone, and Chris Hopkins, MD of employee communications agency Caburn Hope. We talk about the evolution of communications, what employees expect, and whether new generations in the workplace are changing the way innovative companies ‘do’ communication. Jamie Lawrence, Editor, HRZone: The best way to do comms […]
How can you defuse workplace conflicts? Part 2
In Part 1 of our series on how to manage workplace conflict, we looked at how to open the conversation, as well as two core workplace mediation skills: listening and playing back the issues. In part 2, we explore how to use conflict resolution skills to highlight choices, support decision-making and handle potential roadblocks. Highlighting […]
What can you do to defuse workplace conflicts?
What could you do to help defuse workplace conflicts? This two-part series outlines the core skills used by trained mediators in a workplace mediation. These skills can be applied on an informal basis, as a means of managing workplace conflict at the earliest stage. Following Consensio’s mediation principles, we assume firstly that your involvement is […]
Would you say you’re too polite – or too pushy?
Our view of politeness is associated with not acting in a selfish or over-domineering style. People who are pushy are often perceived as being rude and arrogant, while people who are over polite can be seen as a push-over. Straying too far in either direction can disrupt productivity and negatively impact on the business. How […]
Your definitive guide to giving superb presentations
There’s so much rich insight coming out of the academic sector that HR professionals need to know. At Academics’ Corner we feature the best HR researchers that tell you what they’ve found and what you need to do differently on the back of the research. Get connected to the academic sector through Academics’ Corner and […]
Are you collaborating or really just cooperating?
At Achieve we hear a lot about the need for teams and businesses to collaborate. Externally, partnerships, joint ventures, crowdsourcing and open platforms are all buzzwords for today’s age. The same collaborative imperative applies within organisations too. But while HR directors recognise the need to work better with other parts of the business and the […]
Examining engagement and commitment in multinationals
Take a look at the full report this article is based on and find out the methods used by multinationals in your industry to bolster commitment and engagement. Over the last six months we’ve spent time investigating engagement and commitment in multinationals. Our primary aim was to comprehend the key factors and to uncover what […]
It takes two to tango: getting employees in the game
Can you imagine Sir Dave Brailsford—formerly performance director of British Cycling—waiting until the end of the season to give his players feedback? Of course not. (If that were the case, his team wouldn’t have led the cycling medal table at the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games). The same idea holds true in the workplace. It’s […]
Book review: Humble Inquiry by Edgar Schein
HRZone has a range of books available for review. If you would like to receive one of our business books, free of charge, please contact the editor on editor at hrzone dot com and we can send you a list of what’s available. In return, we ask for a 400-700 word review of the book, […]
How Waitrose drive process improvement through employee suggestions
Waitrose, food stores of the John Lewis Partnership, recently started using collaboration software to power its innovation and suggestion scheme, Partner Ideas, which aims to encourage employees to suggest process improvements, capture these improvements and lead to lasting change. We caught up with Stuart Eames, Operational Improvement Manager at Waitrose, to find out more about […]
Forging global unity with Randomised Coffee Trials (RCT) at the Red Cross
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies won our ‘International Project of the Year’ award at this year’s Employee Engagement Awards for a fascinating initiative called Random Coffee Trials (RCTs) which aim to create a sense of unity and cohesion across global boundaries. RCTs introduced volunteers and staff to a new colleague from […]
Making collaboration work in large complex organisations
To get the best possible results for your organisation, collaboration is essential. Different thinking leads to better ideas and solutions. Shared experience ensures effective implementation. And no matter how high your IQ might be, you are still not bright enough to have all the answers. Yet in my experience, making collaboration happen – especially in […]
Make pensions communications engaging – here’s how
With the number of defined benefit plans in decline, pension provision through defined contribution arrangements is very much the norm. But engagement from employees is needed if this form of saving is to produce a satisfactory outcome for both employees and employers. When defined benefit pensions were standard, engagement was not so critical. Effective communication […]
Developing friendships at work is essential
There’s so much rich insight coming out of the academic sector that HR professionals need to know. At Academics’ Corner we feature the best HR researchers that tell you what they’ve found and what you need to do differently on the back of the research. Get connected to the academic sector through Academics’ Corner and […]
The importance of communicating your employee benefits package effectively
Learn more ways to improve your workplace wellbeing with The Ultimate Wellbeing Toolkit – a practical learning hub brought to you by financial protection specialists Unum, designed to equip HR professionals with the skills and knowledge they need to show employees that they are valued. At Benefex we understand the importance of communicating your employee benefits package effectively. […]
