Long term planning essential for business recovery

Even though the UK continues to be hit by a “jobless recovery” from recession, a prestigious HR body has warned employers that they must focus on long-term workforce planning to ensure sustained business performance.  A survey of 2,100 UK firms by recruitment consultants Manpower showed only “mild optimism” about job prospects over the coming three […]

Union anger at HP plan to axe 9,000 jobs

Hewlett-Packard’s decision to cut 9,000 jobs worldwide in a bid to save up to $700 million per year has outraged unions, which claim they were not informed of the decision. The IT vendor intends to slash the posts at part of the ongoing restructuring of its EDS services acquisition, which was purchased 20 months ago […]

Jobs up but wages fall, claims job index

Although the number of posts being advertised may be on the up, wages are continuing to drop – unless you happen to be a senior HR director in Whitehall.  According to the latest Reed Job Index, which is based on data from reed.co.uk, the UK’s largest jobs board, demand among employers for new staff increased […]

CIPD: For fewer on benefits, address job and skill problems

While government proposals to tackle welfare dependency make sense in theory, addressing structural problems such as poor management, lack of skills investment and too many low-paid and insecure jobs will be vital to make the dream a reality.  According to John Philpott, chief economic advisor at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), the […]

Green jobs for the Welsh valleys

British Gas has opened a green skills training centre in South Wales, with the aim of equipping 1,300 local long-term unemployed and its own engineers with the necessary expertise to handle the emerging technology.  The centre, which was opened by Carwyn Jones, First Minister of the Welsh Assembly Government, is based in Tredegar in the […]

‘Dire’ job figures signpost tough times ahead

‘Dire’ official jobs figures mean that the new government needs to take swift and decisive action to get Britain working again, according to a prominent HR body.  Data from the Office of National Statistics indicated that the number of people out of work in the three months to March rose by 53,000 to 2.51 million […]

Compare the policies: employment law implications

With the General Election taking place, Lisa Mayhew, employment partner at law firm Jones Day, examines the implications of each of the main parties’ policies on employment law.  Having already introduced significant changes to employment law since 1997, the Labour Party has unsurprisingly put forward the fewest proposals. Recognising the pace of recent legislative change, […]

Tories unveil plan to ‘get Britain working’

If elected to power, the Conservatives have pledged to set up a ‘Service Academy’ that they claim would create up to 50,000 training places and work placements for the unemployed in partnership with business.   Eleven employers in the hospitality, leisure and tourism sector have already signed up to the scheme, which forms part of […]

Public sector people squeeze dents optimism

Although the UK jobs market appears to be on the road to recovery, more pain could be on the way as the impact of the forthcoming public sector squeeze makes itself felt over the next six to 12 months.  These are the findings of the February’s ‘Report on Jobs’, which is produced by financial information […]

Jobs, skills, growth? Not likely this year, say Unions

Union research indicating that the rate of pay freezes will accelerate this year has been published just as an influential employment advisory body hosted an international conference to focus on the UK’s future strategy for skills, jobs and growth.  The new study undertaken by the Labour Research Department found that pay freezes were now more […]

Graduates could cause HR headache

Desperate university graduates are likely to cause HR professionals headaches over the year ahead by applying for as many jobs as possible, formally accepting multiple formal offers and making their final decision at the last minute. These are the findings of an online poll undertaken among more than 300 recent graduates and current undergraduates by […]

Now is the time for a new role

David Barnard examines the various ways in which managers must adapt their role to the recession, and explains how to lead teams successfully through the crisis.   At ten o’clock last night, the tandoori restaurant on the corner of my road was empty. Unheard of. Each evening, I walk home down a street full of restaurants. The […]

Unemployment leaps to 2.43 million

Unemployment soared by 220,000 over the three months to June, official figures have revealed. This takes the total number of people unemployed to 2.43 million, the highest level since 1995, according to data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This means the jobless rate is now 7.8%, higher than the expected 7.7%, and […]

HR tip: Unanswered job offer

These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Question: A couple of weeks ago, we wrote to a man offering him a job but he has so far not replied. We suspect that he is trying to wring a better deal […]

HR tip: Defining redundancy

These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Question: Recently, a woman took advantage of our voluntary redundancy scheme and left us but I find that, following a reorganisation, her job still needs doing. As her job clearly was not redundant, […]

How to select the right employee for the job

With scores of applicants chasing fewer roles, UK plc needs better candidate screening, says Steve O’Dell.     In an economic downturn, recruitment processes need to be especially effective at selecting the right employees. Not only is there increased pressure on each new recruit to deliver, but in the midst of a deep recession, redundancies […]

The impact of the recession on recruitment

Whether levels have dropped or increased, recruitment processes have definitely changed since we entered into the recession. Lucie Mitchell examines exactly what impact the downturn has had on recruitment and retention in UK organisations.     The most obvious impact of the recession on organisations is that employers are recruiting less and making more redundancies. […]

50,000 New Jobs in Creative Industries in the next three years

Around 50,000 new jobs are set to be created over the next three years in the UK's creative industries, Film and Broadcasting Minister Janet Anderson said yesterday. And the jobs boom will not be confined to the capital – cities like Manchester, Sheffield, Huddersfield and Birmingham will benefit as the sector, which includes advertising, design, […]

HR Zone’s Contracts and Tenders Help Page

Our Contracts and Tenders Directory offers you greater functionality than before. A few moments spent reviewing these Help features will enable you to get the maximum value from this service. CareerZone Services and Pricing for Tenders Important- Please Read Carefully Our competitive rates provide a cost-effective solution, allowing you to place your tenders in front […]

Employment Minister backs jobs for disadvantaged communities

Employment Minister Tessa Jowell today pledged Government support for ground breaking schemes run by local communities to create jobs in deprived areas. Ms Jowell said the Government's New Deal Innovation Fund was producing excellent results in around 50 schemes across the country helping disadvantaged people find jobs. A further £9.5 million is available over the […]