2010: The year of interesting jobs?
As HR professionals know only too well, the recent months have been a difficult time for organisations but in 2010, this fluctuating operating environment can actually offer a great chance for HR teams to improve engagement among staff, says Carla Cavanagh of Best Companies. Coping with radical change has been one of the biggest challenges, […]
Employee confidence back on the rise
Employee confidence rose slightly in the fourth quarter of 2009 in all of the world’s 12 largest economies apart from Japan, indicating that the global economy may be on the up again. According to a poll undertaken by HR software provider Kenexa among 15,500 staff across the 12 countries, staff confidence rose to an average […]
Making a Legacy: how HR can create something deeper and more lasting
If you think retention and engagement, particularly of the younger members of your team will be issues for you in 2010, Ian McDermott has an idea for you. Each year millions of pounds from HR and training budgets is poured into people in the hope of improving business performance. From off-site team building and training […]
Engagement despite M&A – the impact on employer brand
Rebecca Clake examines the issues with a merger or acquisition and what HR can do to maintain engagement and keep key staff using recent research from CIPD. CIPD’s new report on mergers and acquisitions defines the employer brand as a ‘two way deal between an organisation and its people – the reason they choose to […]
Make 2010 your ‘year of engagement’
Christian Hasenoehrl of Gallup looks ahead to what the main focus areas of HR should be in the coming year as the market stabilises and business looks once again to growth. As 2009 comes to a close, we can say with certainty that the recession has affected everyone and if not, according to current budget […]
Proactive training – the great motivator
With budgets downsized, employers are looking anywhere they can to save money for the initiatives they deem critical. Research shows that training is a great motivator in the workplace, especially when perceived as a form of recognition. Investing money in a worker’s development increases morale and the confidence needed during times of increased redundancies. But […]
NHS is getting engaged
The NHS is getting serious about employee engagement. Michelle Smith told Charlie Duff what the organisation is doing and how it will achieve its engagement goals. The NHS is one of the best loved – yet most criticised – institutions in the UK. The organisation is responsible for the health of the entire UK population. […]
Working through the floods – employee engagement in action
Newbalance is the only sportswear brand still manufacturing trainers in the UK. When the floods hit in Cumbria the highly engaged workforce pulled together to keep the factory open and support the local area, as their HR Director, Paul Kennedy explains. Manufacturing in the United Kingdom is a tough business and the challenge to remain […]
Engagement key to success – tips from David MacLeod
Improve employee engagement levels, communicate more effectively within the business and help your organisation stand out, all in just in a few weeks – according to David MacLeod, small changes now can make a big difference in 2010. The co-author of ‘Engaging for Success’ gives his tips on leading your organisation into the next decade. […]
10 new leader let downs
The so-called ‘new brooms’ in an organisation might bring new blood and enthusiasm, but they don’t always get it right. Sarah Lewis investigates common pitfalls – and how to avoid them. The pressure on new leaders or senior appointments to make an impact, and quickly, is tremendous. The organisation has spent time and money attracting, […]
HR tip: Bad attitude at work?
These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Question: One of our employees has a poor attitude to work. He makes mistakes and is frequently critical of management, especially in meetings. He has done nothing seriously wrong, so what can we […]
Employing agency workers? Know their rights
Paul McQuade, senior solicitor in the employment team at Brodies LLP, explores the proposed new regulations and their ramifications. After a decade of deliberation in the EU, the 2008 Directive on Temporary Agency Work is due to be introduced as law into the United Kingdom. New rights for agency workers will be established before […]
HR tip: Can we withdraw notice?
We gave a worker his notice, but would now like to continue his employment. Can we take back the notice? Withdrawing notice Because our order book has dried up a bit, we recently gave notice to three of our short-serving employees but we now find that we want to keep one of them after all. […]
Defining an engaging leader
Andy Lowe provides an exploration of the kind of qualities HR need to cultivate to harvest a crop of great leaders of the future. When it comes to leadership, there are so many questions to be answered. Test yourself: what criteria do you use to decide how to you invest in tomorrow’s leaders? Do you […]
Beat stress on National Stress Awareness Day
National Stress Awareness day is a chance for HR to show they care by helping their employees manage their stress. This year why not help your managers spot and deal with stress? Stress has become a major factor in many people's lives as the recession has increased employment and financial worries. It is reported that […]
Ask the expert: Paternity leave starts…now
If a worker is a birthing partner at a prolonged labour, where do the employers stand? Martin Brewer and Esther Smith advise on when and how paternity leave comes into effect. The question: When a woman goes into labour but does not have the baby until the following day can an […]
When opposites frustrate – don’t give up!
Diversity can bring huge benefits to an organisation, but are you getting the most from it? Matthew Hill gives advice and guidance on managing diverse teams. When the pressure is on within a team, the cracks will begin to show. This is often evidenced by escalating displays of emotion and tension. Sometimes a negative spiral […]
Top 10 tips: Engagement for managers
For your employees to be productive, motivated and loyal, it is vital that the line manager is engaged and knows how to lead a team. Doug Shaw shares his top ten tips on how to be a successful manager. 1. Create the ‘right’ culture. Pretty much everything you do as a manager impacts the […]
Views on HR news: Engagement and productivity
Jon Ingham trawls the net to provide his round-up of the great and the good of HR thought and opinion, so you don’t have to. This month, he reviews posts on employee engagement and workforce productivity. My favourite posts this month have focused on employee engagement and productivity. Engagement Did you […]
Twelve creative routes to talent engagement
Having a low level of employee engagement in your organisation is a crime, says Andrew Leigh, who explains how to uncover high levels of talent engagement in the workplace. Talent engagement goes beyond the basics of talent management. It deals with the two essential questions: What does this person need to make a […]