Blog: Four simple ways to improve how senior leaders communicate
Senior leaders can dramatically improve their communication effectiveness through four key strategies: establishing genuine two-way dialogue channels, tailoring interventions to individual leaders and employee needs, and implementing other targeted approaches that enhance strategic focus and employee engagement.
News: Low income NHS staff “not paid properly” since transfer to outsourcer
Low-income NHS staff at Brighton’s Royal Sussex County Hospital have experienced payment problems since being transferred to contractor Sodexo, with some workers missing wages and overtime payments. The GMB union reports employees have had to collect emergency cash at company offices, though Sodexo says it remains committed to resolving the issues.
Blog: 2013 – A new HR business model emerges
In 2013, HR leaders are adopting a new business model centered on creating a “people P&L” that measures human capital metrics alongside financial performance. Leading HR executives recognize that workforce skills directly impact business growth, elevating HR’s strategic importance in executive decision-making.
Blog: Getting your champagne stories ready for Christmas
Prepare memorable “champagne stories” from your year’s achievements to share at Christmas networking events and office celebrations. Use these anecdotes to showcase your accomplishments authentically, engage colleagues in meaningful conversation, and make lasting professional impressions beyond dry facts and figures.
Vox Pops: How can you best build a business case for buying HR software?
HR professionals share practical advice on building a compelling business case for HR software investment, covering ROI analysis, stakeholder buy-in, and implementation considerations discussed at the CIPD conference.
Blog: Nine questions to ask yourself for a healthy 2013
Applying professional planning strategies to personal wellness goals can deliver better results. Instead of vague resolutions, ask yourself specific questions about what you want to achieve, why it matters, how long it will take, and when you’ll review progress. This systematic approach transforms fleeting good intentions into sustainable lifestyle changes.
News: 1/3 of workers sleep with colleagues at the Xmas party
A survey of UK workers reveals that nearly a third have had sexual encounters at Christmas parties, yet 75% would prefer to skip the event entirely this year. Employees cite financial contributions, lack of employer funding, and preference for family time as reasons for avoiding workplace celebrations.
Case Study: How Norfolk Council maintains staff morale despite tough times
Norfolk County Council maintains staff morale despite £135 million in budget cuts and nearly 500 job losses by prioritizing employee engagement and clear communication. Regular surveys and manager conversations help staff understand organizational changes, with 72-78% reporting clarity about the council’s direction and their role within it.
So you want to be…an interim HR manager?
More women are pursuing interim HR management roles, drawn by flexibility, diverse clients, and skill development. A survey of 1,600 female interim managers revealed that securing first assignments and effective networking remain their biggest challenges, despite earning competitive daily rates averaging £600.
Have you got what it takes to be an HR director?
Securing an HR director role requires competition from strong candidates, typically senior HR professionals with specific sector experience, commercial acumen, and proven ability to represent HR at board level. Employers value stability, career progression, and demonstrated impact on business performance.
Blog: What we can learn from Hitler’s dark charisma
Charisma is a powerful leadership tool that can be used for good or evil, depending on individual intention. While recent media coverage highlights the dangers of charisma—including its exploitation by figures like Hitler—developing authentic charisma in leadership teams remains valuable when coupled with ethical responsibility.
Talent Spot: Carol Carson, HR director at Autoglass
Carol Carson joined Autoglass as HR director after nearly 30 years in health and beauty, bringing extensive international experience from roles at Boots across Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the US. Now focused on talent development, she oversees corporate HR and policy while leading the company’s investment in staff training and engagement.
Blog: Why a JJB Sports’ director lost his unfair dismissal claim
A Manchester employment tribunal’s decision rejecting an unfair dismissal claim by a former JJB Sports director has been upheld on appeal. Jonathan Ashby claimed he was made redundant without warning or consultation following a company reorganisation, but the tribunal found that JJB’s failure to consult did not constitute unfair dismissal.
How to work effectively with the CEO
HR directors can position themselves as strategic advisors to CEOs by providing people-focused solutions tied to clear business outcomes. By proactively addressing workforce implications of company challenges and opportunities, HR leaders can demonstrate tangible value and influence executive decision-making.
Living Leader Learnings: How can I stay true to myself at work?
Discover how to maintain authenticity at work without sacrificing success. Learn how identifying your core values helps resolve the conflict between your professional and personal self, enabling genuine client relationships and career fulfillment.
Lembit Opik: How to navigate office politics
Office politics is inevitable in any organization where people interact, and rather than denying its existence, leaders should manage it positively to improve workplace effectiveness. By recognizing politics as how power operates daily, organizations can foster openness and use human dynamics constructively instead of suppressing them.
News: Employers unaware of fitness-to-drive responsibilities
A survey reveals that 57% of employers mistakenly believe employees alone are responsible for fitness to drive. Under UK law, employers share a duty of care to ensure workers driving for business purposes meet eyesight requirements, but many lack awareness of these obligations.
US presidential election – The power of empathy
Exit polls from the 2016 US presidential election show that voters prioritize empathy as a critical leadership trait, with 20% naming “caring about people like me” as most important. Research confirms that leaders who demonstrate empathy and help people feel valued drive higher engagement and effectiveness in their organizations.
News: Mixed response to EC’s watering down of gender quota proposals
The European Commission weakened its original plan for strict 40% gender quotas on company boards, instead requiring member states to impose sanctions only on firms failing to hire equally-qualified female candidates for non-executive positions. The revised directive has drawn mixed reactions, with some employers and management bodies supporting the softer approach while quota advocates argue it remains too weak to drive meaningful change.
Talent Spot: Susie Robinson, DHL’s executive VP of HR for EMEA
Susie Robinson, executive VP of HR for EMEA at DHL, has navigated the company through multiple mergers since joining in 1998. She oversees talent development, employee engagement, and brand consistency across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and globally, emphasizing active leadership and continuous organizational adaptation.
