Blog: Quiet optimism for 2012 HR budgets
Despite economic uncertainty, HR professionals show cautious optimism for 2012 budgets. A survey of 70 mid-to-senior HR leaders reveals half expect budgets to remain flat or increase, with only a third anticipating modest cuts, suggesting companies value talent investment.
Half of UK managers expect redundancies in 2012
Nearly half of UK managers surveyed expect their organizations to cut jobs in 2012, with over a third worried about their own employment security. The Chartered Management Institute study of 800 bosses found only 8% optimistic about the economy, citing public finances and eurozone instability as key concerns.
Unemployment so bad ‘even Santa’s elves feel insecure’
UK unemployment jumped to 2.64 million in the three months to October, the highest since 1994, with youth joblessness reaching 22%. Experts warn the job market will worsen as private sector growth stalls and real wages fall behind inflation.
Four-year central government HR framework deal goes to Logica
Logica has won a four-year central government framework contract valued between £50m and £500m to provide transactional HR, payroll and finance services across UK government organisations. The scalable deal allows participating agencies to select their own service levels and HCM platforms, with costs decreasing as more organisations join.
Government must give gangmasters’ enforcement agency more teeth
The Gangmasters Licensing Authority risks losing its effectiveness unless the UK government provides it with stronger powers and adequate funding to protect temporary workers in the food industry, according to industry experts concerned about continued worker exploitation.
2011: The HR year in full
2011 presented significant HR challenges, from youth unemployment hitting new highs and stress-related absences rising to pension reform controversies and pay inequality concerns. HRZone’s editor highlights the year’s most impactful employment law, workplace policy, and workforce development stories affecting the HR community.
2011: That was the HR year that was
In 2011, HR leaders grappled with fairness and democratization amid economic crisis, rising unemployment, public sector strikes over pensions and austerity, and widening pay gaps between executives and workers. Gender diversity and board-level representation also dominated HR discussions during this turbulent year.
Blog: Recruit now – Why December is the new January
Recruit candidates in December rather than waiting until January to gain competitive advantage. With 90% of qualified candidates being passive job seekers and increasing activity on social media platforms, starting your hiring campaign early lets you secure top talent before competitors intensify their recruitment efforts in the new year.
Two out of five employers plan to axe Christmas party
Two out of five employers are canceling their Christmas party this year, with half still not informing staff. Those keeping celebrations plan scaled-back events due to budget constraints and recent redundancies.
High Court rules in Government’s favour on pension change
The High Court has ruled that the Government’s decision to link public sector pensions to the Consumer Prices Index instead of the Retail Price Index is lawful, despite a judicial review challenge from trade unions. The change, implemented in April, will reduce pension increases for millions of public sector workers and is expected to save the Government £1.8 billion annually.
Asset-based pension contribution crackdown could put off large employers
New tax relief restrictions on asset-backed pension contributions introduced in the Autumn Statement are likely to discourage large employers from using these complex funding arrangements. The changes prevent companies from claiming double tax relief and are expected to save the government nearly half a billion pounds annually.
250 employers win funding bid to offer degree-level apprenticeships
Two hundred fifty employers, including Unilever, Legal & General and Burberry, have won Government funding to offer degree-level apprenticeships for the first time. The £18.7 million in awards is expected to create around 19,000 new apprenticeship places over two years across sectors including construction, insurance and emergency care.
News Analysis: ‘Glimmers of hope’ for jobs market as incomes set to drop
Despite signs of hiring optimism with 54% of employers planning to hire permanently in the next three months, real household incomes are forecast to fall 7.4% over the next three years, creating a challenging economic landscape for workers and businesses alike.
Update: PM dismisses national day of action as “damp squib”
The Prime Minister dismissed a major national public sector strike as a “damp squib” despite widespread disruption to schools and services across the UK. The strike prompted controversy when TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson made inflammatory comments about strikers on the BBC, leading unions to call for his dismissal.
Round-up of Chancellor’s key Autumn Statement pronouncements
The Chancellor announced a 1% public sector pay cap for two years following a pay freeze, alongside plans to raise the state pension age to 67 by 2026. The Autumn Statement also revealed reduced economic growth forecasts and predicted significant public sector job losses totaling 850,000 by 2017.
Clegg to fund youth wage subsidy by taxing rich
Nick Clegg announced a £1 billion Youth Contract scheme to subsidize employers hiring unemployed 16-24 year-olds, hinting the funding would come from taxes on the wealthy including capital gains tax and bank levies. The three-year program aims to provide work placements and apprenticeships to 500,000 young people.
Update: Auto-enrolment delayed for small businesses
Small businesses with fewer than 50 employees have been granted a one-year delay in mandatory workplace pension auto-enrolment, pushing the deadline from April 2014 to May 2015. While larger firms must comply from October 2013, the extension aims to ease financial pressure on smaller employers, though critics warn it could harm their reputation as employers.
Are we ready for an older workforce?
An aging workforce presents both challenges and opportunities for UK employers and society. With baby boomers working longer due to pension pressures and changing retirement age policies, organizations must adapt through flexible work arrangements and knowledge transfer programs to retain skilled workers and address future skills shortages.
Autumn Statement Preview: What to expect
Chancellor George Osborne will deliver the Autumn Statement on Tuesday 29 November at 12:30pm, with pressure mounting for tax changes and interventions to boost the struggling UK economy. The Office for Budget Responsibility will simultaneously publish its latest Economic and Fiscal Outlook amid downgraded growth forecasts.
News Analysis: Cleggs’ ‘Youth Contract’ meets lukewarm reception
The Coalition Government’s £1 billion Youth Contract scheme aims to create 400,000 work placements for young people through employer wage subsidies, but has received only lukewarm reception from businesses concerned the economic crisis limits its long-term effectiveness.
