News: Income tax and national insurance integration hits delays
The government has delayed its consultation on integrating income tax and National Insurance operations until after summer, citing technical challenges and potential disruption to employers’ payroll systems. The move coincides with planned PAYE reforms and welfare system changes, with an update expected in autumn.
News: HMRC workers vote for strike action
HMRC workers have voted for strike action over job cuts and privatisation plans, with more than half backing a strike and four in five supporting action short of a strike. The Public and Commercial Services union is fighting proposed cuts of 10,000 jobs, citing concerns about tax collection and services.
News: Govt dismisses ‘exploitation’ of unpaid Jubilee stewards as “one off”
The government dismissed complaints about unpaid jobseekers sleeping under London Bridge during the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee as a “one-off incident,” despite claims a security firm exploited cheap labour. Former deputy PM Lord Prescott urged an investigation into whether employment standards were breached.
News: 60% of workers plan to watch Olympics – with or without consent
Nearly 60% of UK employees plan to watch the Olympics during work hours, prompting many employers to offer flexible working arrangements. A CIPD and Hays survey found that over half of organizations will accommodate homeworking or flexible schedules, though some restrict leave and warn staff about unauthorized absences and disciplinary consequences.
News: Food employers join campaign to tackle youth unemployment
Major food retailers including Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Marks & Spencer have joined a campaign to provide pre-employment skills training to unemployed young people. The “Feeding Britain’s Future – Skills for Work Week” initiative, launched by thinktank IGD, will see 23 food and grocery organisations offer training sessions from September 17-21 to help 16-to-24-year-olds develop the skills needed for employment.
Legal Insight: Homeworking during the Olympics
Employers allowing staff to work from home during the Olympics must ensure compliance with employment law and health and safety regulations. This includes conducting risk assessments, providing adequate equipment, and maintaining the same employee protections as office-based workers, even for temporary arrangements.
News: Unions call for urgent talks with HP to save UK jobs
UK unions are calling for urgent talks with HP to protect up to 1,600 jobs threatened by the company’s global restructuring plan. HP has announced plans to cut 8% of its workforce worldwide by the end of 2014, prompting Unite and the Public and Commercial Services Union to pledge resistance using “every means possible.”
News: Youth locked out of jobs due to employers’ changing needs
Over 450,000 young people in the UK lack sustained employment experience because the education system hasn’t adapted to employers’ growing demand for soft skills like communication and teamwork. A Work Foundation report warns that early unemployment can damage long-term career prospects, calling for better coordination between schools, employers, and local services.
News: Half of pubic sector workers got zilch in April pay settlement
Over half of public sector workers received zero pay increases in April 2012 pay settlements, according to XpertHR data covering 29 reviews. This contrasts sharply with the private sector, where only 15.1% of deals resulted in no wage rises, with median pay awards reaching 2.5%.
News: Workplace disenchantment hits “crisis” levels
Workplace disenchantment has reached crisis levels as employers struggle with below-inflation wage increases. A CIPD survey found 51% of employers cannot predict salary increases this year, while those offering raises average just 2.6%—below the 3% inflation rate. HR professionals must focus on employee engagement and financial support beyond pay to retain talent.
News: Govt regional pay plans risk breach with Whitehall
Government plans to introduce regional pay rates for civil servants risk escalating tensions with unions, which argue the move would freeze wages for public sector workers outside London and the south east while damaging local economies.
News: Union requests clarification on whether HP to cut 30,000 jobs
The Public and Commercial Services Union has demanded urgent discussions with HP over reported plans to cut 30,000 jobs globally, seeking clarity on the impact to UK members. The union opposes the redundancies and vows to resist compulsory layoffs.
News: Cable blasts Beecroft Report as “complete nonsense”
Business Secretary Vince Cable has condemned the Beecroft Report’s employment reform proposals as “complete nonsense,” arguing that no-fault dismissal and weakened worker protections would create fear rather than boost hiring and economic growth.
News: Two out of five civil servants to home-work during Olympics
Up to 40% of Whitehall civil servants will work from home during the Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer to reduce congestion on London’s transport network. The government aims to serve as a flagship example of flexible working support while managing the expected surge in public transport usage.
News: Employment situation ‘at worst for two decades’, warns CIPD
UK unemployment fell to 2.63 million in the first quarter, but the CIPD warns the underlying employment situation is at its worst in two decades due to rising underemployment in part-time work and pay growth lagging inflation.
News: Work days lost to sickness fall again as presenteeism rises
UK sickness absence fell 4% to 131 million working days lost in 2011, continuing a decade-long decline. However, rising presenteeism—employees working while ill—reflects growing job security concerns, with workers avoiding time off to protect their positions during economic uncertainty.
State of the nation: The HR recruitment market
The HR recruitment market in 2012 shows increased demand for interim hires across commerce and professional services sectors, while financial services faces a lean period. Senior HR roles are most active in the £80k-£130k range, with employers prioritizing top talent despite prolonged hiring timelines.
A typical HRD: Part 1 – Financial services
Senior HR directors in financial services typically begin their careers in blue-chip companies like Ford or Nestlé before transitioning to banking roles around the 10-12 year mark. Often holding MBAs alongside CIPD qualifications, they progress through senior HR business partner positions with expanding geographical remits and frequently complete international assignments in major banking hubs to develop global expertise.
News: ‘Cameron to decimate Whitehall’ claim
Prime Minister David Cameron’s strategy director Steve Hilton has proposed drastically cutting Whitehall staff, suggesting the civil service could operate with 90% fewer employees. The proposal includes testing a 70% staff reduction in one government department and implementing stricter performance management to remove underperforming civil servants.
News: Government brands public sector pensions strike as “futile”
Hundreds of thousands of public sector workers struck over pension reforms, with the government branding the action “futile.” The 24-hour walkout affected NHS workers, civil servants, prison officers and police, though authorities dispute participation numbers.
