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 […]
Be aware of mental health in 2010, says Acas
Ed Sweeney, Acas Chair, considers the impact the recession has had on business and employees and what HR should focus on next year to avoid legal implications. 2009 has been a challenging year for businesses and employees. For many managers, this is the first time that they have encountered such challenging economic conditions. As a […]
BA strike ruled illegal
The planned strike by Unite which would have seen cabin crew striking over the Christmas period is now off after a high court judged it illegal. Unite invited workers who had already agreed to take voluntary redundancy to vote in the ballot. BA raised the issue and although they continued with negotiations, the court found […]
To party or not to party – that is the question
Christmas bash, bonus culture clash, employees getting smashed… the nightmare before Christmas has begun, and the warnings and advice have begun flooding in. Charlie Duff identifes the key themes and tips to take heed of this season… Don’t call off the Christmas partyIn our poll, most of you were going ahead with a Christmas celebration. […]
Colborn’s Corner: Mistletoe and whine – the office Christmas party
This month Quentin muses on personal responsibility when it comes to behaviour at the office Christmas party. Should HR even get involved? It’s that time of year again. For many it is a religious celebration of great significance, for others it’s an excuse for a series of parties and seemingly endless expenditure, which, like the […]
Ask the expert: Does a fixed contract negate redundancy?
Does an employee qualify for redundancy pay even if they’re on a fixed-term contract? Matthew Whelan and Esther Smith advise. The question: If a three-year fixed-term contract is not renewed and the employee dismissed in the absence of other work, do they qualify for a redundancy payment? Legal advice: Matthew Whelan, solicitor, Speechly Bircham The […]
Going postal – the role of HR in a strike
The industrial dispute which has engulfed Royal Mail in recent weeks has led many commentators to predict another 'winter of discontent'. Kevin Dougall explores the role of HR and how to avoid bitter disputes in the first place. Many younger HR workers will not remember the strikes which blighted the 1970s and 80s, but recently […]
Redundancy: sink or swim
Heidi Blakey finds that when undertaking redundancy, determining the correct selection pool is a key issue in avoiding legal challenges. Dismissal on grounds of redundancy has arguably become simpler to justify in view of the economic downturn. Not only is it easier in these recessionary times to demonstrate that a redundancy is genuine, but […]
HR tip: Making rules work
Learn HR is a leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications, and is experienced in advising on common HR and payroll problems. A wide selection of tips and guidance can be seen below. HRzone.co.uk recommends that any tips are taken as a starting point for guidance only. The question:Our […]
Does the Pereda ruling make you feel ill?
Alison Norris, an HR expert with Employment Law Specialists & Health and Safety Advisors mhl Support, suggests a remedy – and indulges in a little bird watching… In September we had (yet) another decision from Europe that shook us to the core. The ruling related to one Francesco Pereda, a council worker from Madrid, and […]
Disciplinary and grievances in the aftermath of redundancy
Dealing with redundancies for businesses can be tough, but staff who remain pose challenges of their own. Laura Livingstone and Christopher DelaMare examine the correct procedures for dealing with employees using the ACAS Code. For many employees, job security seems like a thing of the past. Staff may be demoralised or fearful of […]
Employment law round-up: Changes in October
HR professionals need to be aware of a few legislation changes coming into force today. Craig Havard explains what you need to know. There are only a few pieces of employment legislation coming into force on 1 October this year. These are summarised below. 1. National minimum wage: Tips The effect of tips (and other gratuities), […]
Tribunal report shows redundancy claims up
The report from the Employment Appeals Tribunal into claims made between 2008 and 2009 showed that a failure to inform and consult on redundancy led to a rise in those types of Tribunal claims, despite cases falling overall. Key findings from the EAT report into tribunals from 2008-2009 revealed an overall decrease in claims accepted […]
Ask the expert: Holiday during probation period
Can an employer, in a small business, prevent new employees taking annual leave during their probation period? Martin Brewer and Esther Smith advise. The question: We currently have a six-month probation period. We are a small firm and I have six new employees which makes up a third of the staff. Are […]
Colborn’s Corner: The end of civil service redundancy cheques?
There are plans to cut generous redundancy payments for the 500,000 civil servants in Britain. Quentin Colborn examines the issue and questions what employers are trying to achieve by such payments. If one topic has been on the lips of HR people over the last year then ‘redundancy’ has to be close to being top of […]
Ask the expert: Employee’s wife harassing female staff
The wife of a male manager has been harassing two female employees. Can HR do anything to stop this from happening? Matthew Whelan and Esther Smith advise. The question Two female staff have complained that they have received nasty calls and texts from their male manager’s wife, accusing them of sleeping with […]
A summer of strikes?
The strike at the Lindsay Oil Refinery was a highly-publicised one. Since then, a number of other strikes have taken place with others being threatened. Pam Loch explains what HR professionals can do to avoid industrial action. The Lindsay dispute – the unofficial angle Unlike other disputes the Lindsay dispute was different in that it involved […]
HR tip: Types of holiday – statutory, bank and public holidays
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: I have been looking through the contracts of employment of several of our employees and find reference to statutory, bank and public holidays. There appears to be no consistency. What exactly are […]
Ask the expert: Alternative positions after redundancy
Can an employer offer a more junior role to a potentially redundant employee and is it obligatory that it is offered? Martin Brewer and Esther Smith advise. The question: We may make a role redundant within our organisation in order to reduce costs. A new position with a new focus will be created if we did […]
Caption competition: And the winner is…
Think of a true British summer and you probably think of rain and cancelled barbecues. But nobody could fail to be cheered up by Cliff Richard’s dulcet tones in the 1963 hit film, Summer Holiday. This month’s caption competition was designed to lift those spirits and reminisce about the good old days and hot summers gone by. […]