Why unlimited holiday policies are just hype
When people hear the word "unlimited" they tend to get excited. Unlimited refills, unlimited downloads, unlimited miles, all awesome. But unlimited holiday leave? That has to take the cake, as we Americans say. Most recently Richard Branson of The Virgin Group announced that his employees could take unlimited holidays, sparking excitement across the international blogosphere. However […]
Are we forcing women to delay childbirth?
Women make up 57% of the US workforce in professional and related occupations, but only 26% of professionals in the computer and information field. Male domination in the education fields of engineering and computer science, coupled with a masculine business culture has compounded the challenge: tech firms wish to do a better job of appealing […]
Does Google look for boring leaders?
Yes, according to a blog post from July arguing that Google data suggests their best-performing leaders are those that are boring. Except ‘boring’ is just a headline-grabber – what they actually mean is predictable. Which actually means consistent. More about Google Is Google the new HR department? What you can learn from what Google learned […]
UK’s toughest interview questions 2014
Employer review site Glassdoor recently posted their list of the toughest interview questions of 2014. A cursory glance reveals that the 'brainteaser' question is still being used across the UK. Google, who gained a reputation for its use, said in July last year that they were a "waste of time" and pointed to behavioural questions […]
Brand engagement is not just another HR programme
For most HR executives, retention and recruitment is the bread and butter of HR life. Almost everything else is ‘nice-to-have’. This covers programmes like recognition schemes, staff events, incentive plans, executive development, social networking and CSR. So when the chips are down, it comes as no surprise that longer term, strategic planning often takes a […]
Is Google the new HR department?
Four in ten managers said that Google is a better source of information and support than their HR team, in a new survey put out by Hay Group. The cause is a perceived lack of support and availability of information from the HR department. Budgetary cuts are the culprit, according to HR directors. 94% said […]
Talent Spot: Kath Austin, HR and Marketing Director, Pizza Hut
Like so many graduates, when Kath Austin, HR and marketing director at Pizza Hut, left university in 1997, she wasn’t entirely sure which direction to go in. Joining a graduate training scheme seemed like the sensible thing to do and British Airways a good brand to work for. It turned out to be an inspired […]
Blog: Seven career questions to ask yourself for 2013
It’s that time in January when we take stock and decide on our resolutions for the year ahead. So I thought it might be useful to offer my advice on what you should be doing to enhance your career in 2013. Make time to think about your career. There is nothing more important than […]
News: Deloitte’s Bersin buy signals HR’s growing strategic importance
In recognition of the HR function’s growing strategic importance, Deloitte Consulting has acquired analyst company, Bersin & Associates, in a bid to access a new customer base. The aim is to keep the existing Bersin team intact and run it as a business unit under the moniker of ‘Bersin by Deloitte’, with the aim of […]
Legal Insight: The potential impact of employee shareholder schemes
At the Conservative Party conference last year, the Chancellor George Osborne unveiled plans to create a new employment status – the ‘employee-owner’. The government promoted these proposals as part of its drive for growth and to give business more flexibility to hire and fire staff. Some commentators were quick to dismiss them as political […]
News: Top 10 talent trends for 2013
From the continued impact of the difficult global economic situation on HR departments to a growing focus on workforce diversity, 2013 looks set to be a dynamic and exciting year. Recruitment consultancy Futurestep, a Korn/Ferry company, outlines the top 10 trends that it expects to see in the talent management arena: 1. To outsource […]
News: Christmas party hangovers to cost employers £740m this year
Hungover staff will cost employers a huge £740 million in lost productivity this year, with seven out of 10 expecting to party for at least two nights over the next 10 days. According to a survey among 2,000 workers conducted by hotel chain, Travelodge, three times more UK companies (75%) plan to host a […]
News: Disclosure & Barring Service to offer “one-stop-shop” criminal record checks
A new organisation to oversee criminal records checks, referrals and barring investigations has been set up in a bid to provide employers with a “one-stop-shop” service. The Disclosure & Barring Service was formed out of the merger of the Criminal Records Bureau and Independent Safeguarding Authority in an attempt to make the checking process clearer […]
Fit for Work: Tackling sickness absence by early intervention
The successful management of sickness absence in the workplace can contribute significantly to overall business productivity. But a balance must be struck between dissuading people who are tempted to ‘play the system’ and providing the best possible support for those with genuine health difficulties who are struggling to avoid being off work long-term. Long-term […]
Blog: Seven ways to ensure your wellness initiatives are sustainable
Many wellness programmes begin with a fanfare, and rightly so. If you’ve invested time and resources in developing the best wellness programme possible for your business, you’ll want to shout about it from the rooftops when it’s ready to launch. You can then stand back and enjoy the flurry of activity and […]
News: Employers flout discrimination law for migraine sufferers
Employers may be flouting disability discrimination legislation by failing to make reasonable workplace adjustments for employees who suffer from migraines, a charity has warned. According to a survey conducted by the Migraine Trust, a worrying three out of sufferers who work said that their employer had not made any changes to try and ease their […]
Blog: Segmentation as a tool for employee engagement
As we work towards the end of the year, one of Melcrum’s research team’s key priorities is to connect with our Strategic Communication Research Forum members to agree on the themes we should focus our research efforts on next year. One of the topics we’ve been discussing year on year is the constant changes around […]
Legal Insight: Have you renewed your foreign worker sponsorship licence?
A major retailer was fined £115,000 earlier this month for employing foreign students who were breaking the conditions of their visas. At the present time, it is unclear whether the supermarket chain’s sponsorship licence is likely to be revoked or suspended too, however. You may also remember the press coverage at the end of […]
News: HR pros among most impatient when job-seeking
HR professionals are an impatient bunch when going for a job, expecting employers to make a hiring decision after two job interviews and for the whole process to take no more than a month. According to a survey undertaken by recruitment consultancy, Robert Walters, some 72% of HR practitioners anticipate that the entire job application […]
Blog: US election – The need for charismatic leaders during times of austerity
“I have always believed that hope is that stubborn thing inside us that insists, despite all the evidence to the contrary, that something better awaits us so long as we have the courage to keep reaching, to keep working, to keep fighting.” My Vision by Barack Obama. In Chicago last week a rejuvenated and […]
