Employee involvement: the missing piece of the productivity puzzle?

The UK has seen an unprecedented stall in productivity growth in recent years. Productivity – a measure of economic output per worker or hour worked – is only just higher than it was in 2007. Had productivity continued growing at pre-crash levels, it would now be 15% higher than it is today. The stall in […]

Apprenticeship levy: how to get the most out of it

The Government has been very vocal in its support for apprenticeships. Over the next five years, it has promised that a further three million will be created. Moreover, new trailblazer qualifications are being introduced to increase apprenticeships’ rigour and their relevance to employers’ needs. However laudable these goals, they create a tension, particularly at a time […]

It’s time the Chancellor stops meddling in pensions

Talk to anyone about pensions and you’re likely to be met with a head shake and a response of ‘I can’t keep track of it’. Those within the industry are struggling to cope with the recent pension freedom reforms and the Chancellor has signalled he is keen to implement more ‘radical changes’ such as removing […]

Don’t worry, HR will still exist in an AI world

Martijn Gribnau is Chief Change Officer of IPsoft, who automate IT and business processes for enterprises across a wide range of industries. Through its portfolio of autonomic and cognitive solutions, it provides services that allow its clients to secure competitive advantage. Martijn is responsible for supporting the company’s goal of being a dominant global technology […]

Analysing short-term Tory employment law plans

What does the short-term hold for UK employment law under a majority Conservative government? A central theme of the Conservative manifesto was that of economic improvement. In headline campaigning terms, “The Great Recession has given way to a Great Revival”: it spells out certain developments but much remains to be seen as to the effect […]

What employment law policies are you really voting for?

With the main parties having  published their manifestos for the general election 2015 (don’t forget to vote on May 7th!), what is the future looking like for employment law? Conservatives They have indicated their support for real terms increases in the National Minimum Wage, rising from its current level of £6.50 per hour to reach […]

30 second guide to the 2015 Budget for HR professionals

Firstly, the good news: there is record employment in UK, with the jobless rate to fall to 5.3% this year. Pay National Minimum Wage will rise by 20p an hour to £6.70 from October 2015 Your contingent workforce Annual paper tax returns to be abolished, affecting contractors and self-employed workers Class 2 National Insurance contributions […]

Are HR business partners a dying breed?

Learning and development programmes continue to grow in importance as businesses gear up to take advantage of the economic upturn. But one area appears to be lagging behind. Is there now a shortage of high-quality HR Business Partners? Almost every client I’ve been involved with in the last 12 months has a similar problem – […]

How businesses can follow best practice when it comes to work experience

While the Office for National Statistics has recorded youth unemployment figures steadily falling, it seems that the number of businesses bemoaning the lack of young people with workplace ready skills isn’t. Research from Barclays found that one-in-five businesses said young people were “not ready” for entry level jobs, with 55 per cent claiming school leavers struggled […]

Low wage increases in a buoyant jobs market – don’t be fooled!

So, the headlines shout “Wages Growth Lowest Since 2001” alongside messages of record low unemployment and an economic upturn.  Should you still choose to fight that battle for an increase in the salary budget? The Office of National Statistics (ONS) reported annual wage growth (including bonuses) fell to just 0.3% in the second quarter of […]

Eight million risk being ‘sucked into unemployment twilight zone’

The next decade could see millions of people either unemployed or in a job for which they are over-qualified, according to the Local Government Association. The incoming chair of the LGA, David Sparks, has warned that a “lost generation” of around eight million people could be trapped in a future unemployment “twilight zone”, at risk […]

House of Lords to debate ‘staggering’ levels of EU youth unemployment

The House of Lords is due to debate EU youth employment later today, following a report which found that unemployment is still at “damagingly high” levels across Europe. The EU Committee report, which examined the value of EU youth unemployment initiatives, as well as whether funding is being used effectively in the UK, revealed that […]

Queen’s Speech 2014: Pension reforms take centre stage

Sweeping reforms to pensions were at the centre of this year’s Queen’s Speech. In the final speech before the 2015 election, legislation on ‘collective’ workplace pension schemes was announced, with a Bill that will enable employees to pay into a collective pension fund shared with other workers that aims to cut costs and “pool risk” […]

Interview: Dr Nick Udall, Chair, Global Agenda Council on New Models of Leadership

Who is Dr Nick Udall? Dr Nick Udall is co-founder and CEO of nowhere, a founding member and the current Chair of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on New Models of Leadership. Nick is also the author of Riding the Creative Rollercoaster (published by Kogan Page). 1. What defines a successful culture of […]

Budget 2014 – what does it mean for HR?

George Osborne said that today’s Budget was made for building a resilient economy – a Budget designed for makers, doers and savers. The BBC’s Robert Peston said it felt like a ‘very Tory Budget.’ Overall, the GDP forecast is expected to grow by 2.7% in 2014 and 2.3% next year, then 2.6% in 2016 and […]

State of wellbeing and productivity in the financial sector

New research produced by the Bank Workers Charity in partnership with Robertson Cooper has identified that the financial sector need to recognise and prioritise the impact that non-work pressures are having on employees and in turn on the organisations themselves. The findings show that financial worries, caring responsibilities and concerns about the future are all […]

Autumn Statement 2013 – what does it mean for HR?

Note: our coverage of the Autumn Statement 2013 will expand as comment and analysis comes in. Following our report on what the 2013 Budget meant for HR, we’re now offering some analysis on what the Autumn Statement – the ‘other’ important economic statement from the Treasury – means for HR departments across the country. Here […]

What leaders can do when opinion is against them

David Cameron’s recent call to arms from the House of Commons, to support action against Syria, resulted in a motion of no support from the house. Not only did this leave him in an extremely difficult position in the UK, but internationally too where the ‘special relationship’ with the U.S. was also called into question. […]

CPS spent £1.1m on two golden goodbyes

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) awarded severance pay of £1.1m to two ex-employees, it was revealed recently. This disclosure, made by investigative website Exaro, will add fuel to the fire of large taxpayer-funded packages being given to departing executives. Earlier this month the BBC's HR Director, Lucy Adams, was criticised for her role in paying […]

UK staff want bosses that can ‘make employees feel comfortable’

Over three-quarters (78%) of UK staff responding to a recent survey said they want bosses that are able to make employees feel comfortable. This trait ranked as most desirable, above admitting when they’ve made mistakes (71%), calm under pressure (69%), giving clear instructions and defined targets (67%) and acknowledging work efforts (66%). The survey also […]