Employee involvement: the missing piece of the productivity puzzle?
The UK’s productivity growth has stalled since 2007, leaving workers earning less in real terms and the nation falling behind other developed countries. A new report argues that effective employee involvement—giving workers a voice in workplace decisions—is essential to solving this “productivity puzzle” and boosting performance.
Apprenticeship levy: how to get the most out of it
The apprenticeship levy is a 0.5% payroll tax starting April 2017 that affects UK employers with annual wage bills over £3 million. Contributing employers receive a £15,000 allowance and can withdraw funds as electronic vouchers to pay for apprenticeship training costs.
It’s time the Chancellor stops meddling in pensions
The Chancellor’s constant meddling with pension policy is creating confusion across the industry and beyond, with ongoing reforms making it difficult for HR professionals and employees to understand their options. Baby boomers benefit from final salary schemes and triple-locked state pensions, while Generation X faces uncertainty from defined contribution schemes and mounting regulatory changes that lack clear long-term direction.
Don’t worry, HR will still exist in an AI world
While AI will automate repetitive tasks, HR professionals will remain essential, evolving to focus on talent recruitment, workforce development, and training—particularly in AI skills. History shows technology creates new job categories rather than eliminating work entirely.
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?
Discover what the UK’s main political parties promised on employment law in their 2015 election manifestos, including changes to minimum wage, zero-hours contracts, strike action, and workplace equality measures.
30 second guide to the 2015 Budget for HR professionals
The 2015 Budget brings record UK employment and key changes for HR professionals, including a national minimum wage rise to £6.70, abolition of annual paper tax returns for contractors, and new rules on employer National Insurance contributions for under-21s from April.
Are HR business partners a dying breed?
HR business partners are becoming harder to find, with many organizations struggling to develop commercially-aware talent with the strategic skills needed for effective partnership roles. A recession-era pullback on graduate recruitment and the rise of shared services models have depleted the talent pipeline.
How businesses can follow best practice when it comes to work experience
Businesses often fail to create effective work experience programmes, missing opportunities to develop young talent while addressing skills gaps. By assigning dedicated mentors, planning meaningful tasks, and tracking skill development, companies can create quality programmes that benefit both students and future workforce needs.
Low wage increases in a buoyant jobs market – don’t be fooled!
Despite record low unemployment and economic growth, wage increases remain surprisingly weak at 0.3% annually—well below inflation. However, misleading statistics and excluded data mask stronger underlying salary growth, suggesting businesses should still invest in pay to attract talent before labor shortages intensify.
Eight million risk being ‘sucked into unemployment twilight zone’
Eight million people risk becoming trapped in low-paid, insecure work or unemployment over the next decade, the Local Government Association warns. The current employment and skills system is fragmented and ineffective, potentially costing the UK economy £374 billion and £164 billion in lost taxes by 2022.
House of Lords to debate ‘staggering’ levels of EU youth unemployment
The House of Lords debates EU youth unemployment today following a report revealing joblessness among young Europeans remains at damagingly high levels. The committee urges the UK government to adopt a Youth Guarantee scheme, similar to successful EU initiatives, to address staggering unemployment figures across Europe.
Queen’s Speech 2014: Pension reforms take centre stage
The 2014 Queen’s Speech introduced sweeping pension reforms, including new collective workplace pension schemes and ending the requirement to buy annuities, giving people greater control over retirement savings. Additional measures included a Tax-Free Childcare scheme worth up to £2,000 annually per child and stricter enforcement against zero-hours contract abuse.
Interview: Dr Nick Udall, Chair, Global Agenda Council on New Models of Leadership
Dr Nick Udall, CEO of nowhere and Chair of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on New Models of Leadership, discusses what defines successful innovation cultures, redefines creativity as dancing between the known and unknown, and explains why new leadership models are essential for addressing today’s complex global challenges.
Budget 2014 – what does it mean for HR?
The 2014 Budget introduces significant changes for HR professionals, including a higher personal tax allowance, abolished National Insurance for under-21s, and major pension reforms allowing flexible access to pension pots. Key measures also include increased apprenticeship grants, enhanced childcare tax relief, and a new tax exemption for employer-paid medical treatments.
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 […]
