News: UK’s long-term unemployment levels could ‘trigger social unrest’

The UK’s high levels of long-term unemployment could lead to widespread social unrest as people become progressively alienated from society, according to a study. Therefore, the research entitled ‘World of Work Report 2012’, which was undertaken by the United Nation’s International Labour Organisation, warned that the coalition government should prepare for a repeat of scenes […]

EC campaign unveiled to promote funded international work placements

The European Commission is to unveil its ‘We Mean Business’ campaign tomorrow in a bid to encourage employers to offer fully-funded international work placements to young people. The aim of the move is to boost young people’s skills and employability at a time of high youth unemployment across Europe.   To this end, the EC […]

Experts welcome two-year freeze on skilled migrant cap

 Experts have welcomed the coalition government’s decision to freeze the skilled migrant cap for two years, saying that the move will give employers more “certainty” and access to the specialist talent they require. Rather than reduce the current annual limit for the number of skilled non-EU workers allowed to enter the UK, the Home Office […]

International HR Academy to act as knowledge-sharing forum for HRDs

A UK and US university have got together to set up an HR Academy in order to share cutting-edge research, knowledge and ideas on global HR management issues with HR leaders. The International Human Resources Management Academy was established by King’s College London’s Management Learning Board and Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labour Relations […]

HRDs unconvinced by social recruitment – study

The majority of HR directors are failing to use social media for recruitment purposes, with a huge 70% unsure of whether it is effective or not. A survey of 200 UK HRDs conducted by recruitment consultancy, Robert Half, revealed that a mere three out of 10 were using social networking sites to either source or […]

Employee wellness programmes: Proving their worth and paying their way

It’s a known fact that happy and engaged employees are more likely to be productive and loyal. Valuable assets to their employer, they can also help to generate a positive environment for their colleagues, time and resource savings for the HR team and positive financial savings for their employer.   Several strategies exist to try […]

Changes to skilled migrant rights will “cause big problems for employers”

Skilled migrant workers from outside of the European Union who earn less than £35,000 are to lose the right to work in the UK for any more than five years in a move that will “cause big problems for employers”, a think tank has warned. The move, which will be introduced from April 2016, is […]

Blog: Why is staff engagement in decline globally?

 Recognise This! – Employees worldwide are disengaging at work, leaving organisations at a competitive disadvantage. Recent research out of Kenexa is showing employee engagement on the decline globally.   “EEI scores declined, not only in the aggregate of these economies, but in each individual country as well. The pattern of scores over time is fairly […]

Fee hikes for skilled migrant worker visas a “bitter blow”, says CBI

The CBI has condemned the coalition government’s decision to double the visa fees that employers have to pay in order to hire working migrants as a “bitter blow” to UK business. The Home Office announced yesterday that, while fee increases for the majority of visas had been kept at about 2%, those for skilled workers […]

International Coaching Week: Profile of average coach revealed

Just over two thirds of coaches in the UK are female, more than 45 years old and educated to second degree-level, a study has revealed. The majority have also been coaching for more than five years, with two thirds at it for more than 10, with the topic of ‘leadership’ being the biggest money-spinner. Moreover, […]

20,000 financial services jobs to be axed by end of quarter

The speed at which the UK’s financial services sector is shedding jobs will accelerate over the next quarter due to growing concerns about the escalating Eurozone crisis and the state of the global economy. According to a survey undertaken by employers lobby group the CBI and auditors PricewaterhouseCoopers, UK banks, insurance firms and asset management […]

HRD Insight: Dan Grant on Dell’s ‘Connected Workplace’ scheme

As job roles become increasingly global and Generation Y progressively enters the workforce, Dell’s aim in introducing its ‘Connected Workplace’ initiative was to continue being able to attract and retain staff. The initiative, which was initially piloted in the UK from November 2009 into early 2010, was rolled out across Europe, the Middle East and […]

New global jobs recession could spark social unrest, warns ILO

Even as the Coalition Government vowed to kick-start UK infrastructure projects in a bid to create employment, a United Nations’ agency warned that the global economy was on the brink of a new jobs recession that could spark off social unrest. The International Labour Organization said in its ‘World of Work Report 2011’ that it […]

Navigating the choppy waters of cultural difference

What is considered polite in one culture may be considered impolite in another. But as travel and communications become ever easier, HR directors working in multi-national companies would be well advised to acquaint themselves with at least some of these cultural differences and to understand how they can affect the way that employees conduct business. […]

Cap is not damaging economy, says immigration advisor

Although there is “no evidence” that the immigration cap is damaging the UK economy, it is creating an employment “dilemma” in the public sector, the government’s chief advisor has warned. Professor David Metcalf, who chairs the Migration Advisory Committee, pointed to the fact that, although the cap on skilled migrants from outside of the European […]

Three UK firms win global awards for older worker practices

Three UK companies have won global acclaim for innovative HR and workforce practices that support older employees of 50 plus years. Centrica, Marks & Spencer and The Coop Group were among 15 organisations around the world that were recognised in the 2011 ‘Best Employers for Workers over 50’ awards.   The event is sponsored by […]

Leadership development programmes not up to snuff in too many organisations

Just under a quarter of HR professionals believe that their leadership development programmes are ‘highly effective’, while about one in five admit that they are useless. But according to research from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and talent management consultancy, DDI, about a third of UK leaders rate the quality of leadership in […]

Ask the Expert: Can I reject candidates due to their visa status?

The Question I’ve had applications for full-time permanent positions from applicants who are on a Post Study Work (PSW) Visa and so only eligible to work for two years before they would have to change status.    I’m assuming that there is no guarantee that new visas would be granted, so is this a valid […]

Low skilled immigrant workers have doubled

Official figures revealing that the number of foreign-born workers filling low skill jobs has doubled in nine years has reignited the debate over immigration and whether welfare reform is enough to encourage UK citizens to take poorly paid jobs.  The Office for National Statistics indicated that nearly 20% of low skilled posts, the equivalent of […]

Immigration loophole exposed by MPs

Employers could face a crackdown on bringing foreign workers to the UK using intra-company transfer visas, after MPs criticised the UK Border Agency for its current “lack of control” over the system.  The Commons Public Accounts Committee said that checks to the scheme were “much more limited” than in other parts of the immigration system, […]