A new ‘relationship agenda’ for HR?
The Tomorrow Company with other partners including the CIPD recently published a research report called ‘Tomorrow’s Relationships – unlocking value.' This echoes some of the key themes in my book published by Gower in 2013; namely, that risk in relationships is not given the attention it deserves alongside other aspects of business; the need for […]
Addressing bereavement at work – why it’s time for employers to act
Last week Acas launched its good practice guide for businesses on managing bereavement at work. Such guidance is long overdue. How well employees are supported by their employer following a bereavement can be something of a lottery, with some disparities, even within the same organisation, in the way line managers handle bereavement and in the […]
Employment tribunal fees a ‘victory’ for rogue employers
The introduction of employment tribunal fees has been a “huge victory” for bad employers, resulting in a significant drop in the number of claims, the Trades Union Congress has said. A TUC report to mark the first anniversary of the new charges has revealed that, since July 2013, there has been a 79% fall in […]
Inspire learning through emotional connections
"Inspired to change the way we work." As well as providing a range of different skills and business techniques, attending a learning event, whether a course, or a seminar, is all about taking the opportunity to increase confidence or be inspired to change the way we work. If we remind ourselves of the definition of […]
People managers – the war’s hotting up for top talent
The role of the line manager has evolved beyond almost all recognition in recent years. The traditionally held view that managers are accountable for making things happen, for delivering results and for creating high performance in their teams is now only a part of the equation. In today’s post-recession world, many organisations have slimmed down, […]
CIPD HR Analytics conference: key takeaways
On Wednesday 12th March the CIPD held their annual HR Analytics conference in London. The event was attended by HR directors at various stages of readiness for bringing analytics capability into their organisations. The speakers offered a mix of both theoretical insight and practical advice. The event culminated in a talk from CIPD CEO Peter […]
Inappropriate workplace relationships: a job for the CIA?
How do the French people feel about the Francois Hollande affair? While recent polls showed that one in eight French people take the view that the matter is a private affair for M Hollande and his family (and therefore a non-issue, never mind a scandal), members of the EU are taking the view that with […]
LIVE COVERAGE: CIPD HR Analytics 2014 conference
How can you better use people metrics in your organisation? What do you need to know about HR analytics and what it will bring to business? On Wednesday February 12th these questions will be answered at the CIPD’s HR Analytics Conference 2014, held near King’s Cross, London. HRZone will be in attendance and will be […]
Early Conciliation – what does it mean for employers?
Anne Sharp, Chief Executive at workplace experts Acas, explains how the introduction of a new service called Early Conciliation in April this year will change how workplace disputes are dealt with in future. From 6 April this year anyone thinking of making an employment tribunal claim will need to contact Acas first. We will then […]
Workplace harmony – how to improve it
Disharmony at work can be an unfortunate fact of life. Whilst every organisation will vary, as an overview, the key causes are: Poor communication and consultation Absence of shared vision (in the big picture or within a team or project) Mistrust leading to interpersonal conflict Poor leadership Lack of emotional intelligence If you’re looking to […]
Office dogs – the pros and cons
It’s early on a busy Wednesday morning, phones are ringing, internal meetings are starting, the courier is at the door and the team is getting set for another frantic day in the office. Clients are expected mid-morning and there’s a fabulous buzz about the place. However, amongst the hum of activity I can’t (for a […]
Firing people – it’s never personal
Firing people is part of doing business and dismissals happen a lot more than resignations. It's time we dropped the euphemisms. There are lots of phrases in business that describe the same thing. In my world, they’re called ‘letting people go’, doing ‘managed exits’ or ‘releasing people’. But is the reason there are so many […]
How can I support my partner when they’re stressed with work?
Work stress can affect our personal lives and our relationships, particularly if both partners are under significant stress. But learning to support each other in productive ways can strengthen the relationship, reduce stress and improve mood. Research suggests that couples who actively manage stress together improve their relationship durability over time. Listen and support: Questioning, […]
Interview: Vanessa Robinson, Head of Research, CIPD
Vanessa Robinson is Head of Research at the CIPD. She is a guest speaker in the 20 Minute Master Class series of online webinars. For more information on the CIPD's research into social media and to ask Vanessa your questions you may register for this complimentary class here: bit.ly/20mmc2. 1. What’s the most surprising result/outcome […]
Line management – the heart of the employee/employer relationship
An organisation which realises the importance of strong line management is an organisation which will flourish and grow. Most managers understand the importance of employee engagement and employee relations but in times of economic uncertainty when budgets are tight, the gap between managerial good intentions and the actual practice widens. Line managers sit at the […]
Industrial relations lessons following the Ineos dispute
Many employers have good working relationships with their recognised trade unions, but for others a union presence is a source of conflict and frustration which can all too easily tip into outright dispute. In an ideal world employers would be able to maintain harmonious industrial relations through effective collective bargaining. However, where this fails, the […]
How to hit the sweet spot between conflict and new ideas
Every team is made up of many different personalities, all with their own aspirations, ideas, preferences, and a host of different experiences. Each of these individuals could hold the key to unlocking a difficult problem or providing an innovative way to approach a task. Or even better, the unique combination of ideas and experience in […]
Lack of support for managers leads to leadership problems and crisis of organisational culture
Over a third (36%) of line managers have not received any training for their role, according to new research released today from the CIPD. Time for effective line management is also de-prioritised in favour of mission-critical and goal-orientated tasks. The research also found that 24% of managers face situations where they must put the company’s […]
Why no team can survive without conflict
Many people avoid conflict at work like the plague, feeling uncomfortable when things get difficult, fearful that addressing issues will create more, maybe even unresolvable, escalating conflict. And yet workplace conflict can be a good thing, a very good thing even, and should definitely not be feared but addressed. Let’s be honest – having a […]
Finding new ways to unionise – the tactics of US fast food workers
Fast food workers across the United States have started walking out on their jobs and demanding a ‘living wage,’ which is double what they’re currently earning. This is interesting, according to Time magazine, because fast food employees have traditionally been unable to take collective action because of the extremely high turnover in the sector (and […]
