How to… manage redundancies
Announcing redundancies is a difficult task for any manager, but there are ways to cushion the blow and ensure that those exiting the business do so with dignity. It’s also important to take care of those who remain behind, says Richard Chiumento. It is clear that organisations and managers need to minimise the need for redundancies, […]
Legislation update: Employee dismissals
Many employers assume that once they have sent a letter of dismissal to an employee, the dismissal will be immediately effective. Yet a recent case shows that employers need to be careful when making those assumptions. Richard White explains. Gisda Cyf v Barratt case: The facts Miss Barratt worked for Gisda Cyf. She attended a disciplinary meeting on […]
Ask the expert: Trade union representative
Where does an employer stand if an employee wants to bring a trade union representative into a disciplinary meeting, rather than a colleague? Gillie Scoular and Esther Smith advise. The question: We do not have any trade union on site, but a member of staff pays a union fee and wants to bring a […]
Tips on investigating employee misconduct
When dismissing an employee for misconduct, many employers stumble at the investigation stage. Martin Brewer examines the common pitfalls and how best to avoid them. The dismissal of an employee for misconduct will almost certainly lead to a claim for unfair dismissal. In assessing the fairness of a dismissal, an employment tribunal will be […]
Ask the expert: Redundancy and restructuring
An employer plans to make redundancies and is considering making their part-time worker redundant, rather than the full-time employees. Martin Brewer and Esther Smith advise on following a fair procedure. The question: We are looking at restructuring our field staff. We currently have two full-time and one part-time staff covering all of the UK. […]
Building trust and confidence in a recession
Trust amongst the workforce can be shaken when redundancies are made, so Lorne Armstrong explains how businesses can ensure confidence is not lost and trust remains intact during a downturn. Everyone has experienced the change and uncertainty the recession has brought, and we’ve witnessed first-hand the dramatic loss of trust in business leaders and government. […]
Redundancy: It’s a psychological thing
Redundancy is a deeply difficult and disruptive experience for employees and organisations alike. Rob Bailey and Jenny Kidby explore how psychometric tools can bring clarity, and kindness, to redundancy situations. For decades, psychometrics have given employers a reliable and scientific basis to make difficult people decisions. Objectivity in these can easily become contaminated […]
The HRzone.co.uk Recession Clinic with Acas
Below is an archive of our Recession Clinic web chat, with Stewart Gee from employment relations service Acas, that took place on Monday. He answered all your questions on coping with the impact of the recession in the workplace, whether it be redundancy and restructuring, performance management, or contracts of employment. Click in the box below to view a […]
Video: Exclusive interview with Ed Sweeney, Acas
Ed Sweeney, chair of Acas, talks to Verity Gough about the issues HR faces when dealing with workplace disputes during a recession.
Ask the expert: Notice period when dismissed for misconduct
A sick employee stated on Facebook that she was out socialising on the night of one of her sick days, and she was dismissed immediately. Matthew Whelan and Esther Smith advise whether she is entitled to pay in lieu of notice. The question We recently dismissed an employee after she was off sick for […]
Why some survivors don’t survive
The survivors of a redundancy programme need to be nurtured and treated with respect within an open and honest environment, otherwise they will think with their feet and work elsewhere, says Andrew Leigh. In a much earlier incarnation, I once worked for an up-and-coming advertising company which made use of my services […]
Ask the expert: Dismissed on capability grounds
An employee, who was signed off work due to stress and depression, was dismissed on capability grounds after 10 years’ employment. Martin Brewer and Esther Smith advise if this was fair. The question: I have been working for a company for just under 10 years and just before Christmas, I went off work […]
HR tip: Defining redundancy
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: Recently, a woman took advantage of our voluntary redundancy scheme and left us but I find that, following a reorganisation, her job still needs doing. As her job clearly was not redundant, […]
Opportunities for HR with the ‘New Normal’
In the wake of the credit crunch, relationship management and the ‘soft stuff’ are now more important than number crunching and commercial offerings. Neela Bettridge discusses HR’s role in ‘The New Normal.’ There is a huge opportunity for human resources professions emerging in the wake of the credit crisis. And there is a new term […]
New redundancy alternative announced
A controversial move to quell the numbers of redundant workers has this week been proposed by business leaders. The CBI has called for a shake-up in the way companies deal with redundancy by proposing the “Alternative to Redundancy” (ATR) scheme. Workers would receive about £130 a week, paid equally by the government and the employer […]
Managing the redundancy survivors: A constant challenge
The impact of redundancy can be felt for quite some time afterwards, and it is HR’s job to successfully manage those who remain, as they are key to your success, says Judith Leary-Joyce. When redundancy hits, everyone is affected. There are no winners, no smiling faces. A little relief maybe – ‘thank heaven it wasn’t me’ […]
Summer holidays: A source of stress?
Many employees have to work significantly harder before leaving for, and returning from, their summer holiday. Melodie Gilbert outlines the measures employers can take to limit this stress. It’s that time of year when employees’ minds begin to turn to sun-drenched beaches and time out from their everyday jobs. We all look forward to a break […]
The Stringer case: Much ado about nothing?
The long-awaited House of Lords decision on the Stringer v HMRC case was issued on 10 June 2009. However the judgment did not deliver the expected outcome on long-term sickness and statutory annual leave. Pam Loch considers the case further. The background The House of Lords decision in Stringer and others (which includes Ainsworth) […]
Unemployment figures hit a 12-year high
UK unemployment has hit the highest level since 1997, with the numbers of jobless having risen to 2.261 million in the three months to April, the Office for National Statistics has said. The official figures published today show that the UK employment rate has fallen to 73.3 percent, down 0.8 from the previous quarter and […]
Staff development is weapon of choice in recession
Employers are choosing to focus on retention rather than recruitment in response to current resourcing issues, finds the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development’s (CIPD) Recruitment, Retention and Turnover survey. This year’s report revealed that 73% of organisations find a lack of necessary specialist skills remains the key resourcing challenge, whilst 56% of employers are […]