Blog: On-boarding as a first step to cutting staff attrition rates

Companies work so hard at recruiting the best talent, rolling out the red carpet, increasing original offers, offering bonuses and other perks to attract the right candidates. But once you’ve signed on the dotted line kiss the best behaviors goodbye. The process is similar to dating where the early stages of the chase and initial […]

Case Study: LV= focuses on feedback to become destination employer

LV= has introduced a survey process for new joiners and leavers with the aim of gathering staff feedback as part of its bid to become a destination employer. The organisation, which sells mutual insurance, retirement and investment schemes, is investing heavily in trying to increase the engagement and retention of its 4,500 staff.   David […]

Ask the expert: Extension of probation period

This week the experts, Martin Brewer and Esther Smith advise on how to deal with extending an employee’s probation period. The question: Should a meeting to extend an employee’s probationary period be treated as a disciplinary meeting, i.e. have the right to be accompanied etc. or does their lack of one year’s service preclude that? […]

Ask the expert: Long-term absence during probation

An employee has been on long-term sick leave for most of her probation period. Matthew Whelan and Esther Smith advise on the risks of dismissing her. The question   We have an employee who started work with us in a management position. Her references were not great but we decided we would give her a […]

Ask the expert: Holiday during probation period

Can an employer, in a small business, prevent new employees taking annual leave during their probation period? Martin Brewer and Esther Smith advise.       The question: We currently have a six-month probation period. We are a small firm and I have six new employees which makes up a third of the staff. Are […]

Ask the expert: Disciplinary procedure for probationers

Some employees, who are on probation, are not performing well and the employer wants to dismiss them. Matthew Whelan and Esther Smith advise on the correct procedure to follow.     The question   I have a couple of probationers who are not shaping up. They have been spoken to and one has not changed his […]

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 […]

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 […]

Recruitment: Overcoming budget cuts

The recession has meant that recruitment and selection processes have to be more slick than ever. Sophie Pritchard advises how to get more bang for your assessment buck.   Talks of the worst recession since the Second World War have left the economy drained and deflated. It’s forced a large number of organisations to review recruitment […]

Ask the expert: Garden leave

If an employee is given notice and goes on garden leave, what are the consequences if they go to work for another organisation? Esther Smith and Matthew Whelan advise. The question   If, within a contract, it states that when a person gives notice and goes on garden leave they cannot work for anyone else, […]

HR tip: Employment end date – garden leave question

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: "When does employment actually end when we give people pay in lieu of notice or put them on garden leave?" HR tip: Garden leave means that you continue to employ and pay […]

HR tip: Garden leave

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 key employee has just put in her three months' notice to go and work for an important competitor. Her manager wants her off the site right away with pay in lieu of […]

HR Tip: Probation periods and continuous service

These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Q: “We put new starters on a six month trial period during which we can dismiss them with only one week's notice. Does this period count as part of their continuous service?” A: Yes […]

Jargon buster: Garden leave

Alison Wallace, head of employment practice at Steptoe & Johnson solicitors looks at the legal considerations of garden leave and whether it is indeed a ‘powerful weapon’ for bosses looking to outplay the competition. For many employees the thought of being paid to stay at home and out of the office during the summer months […]