Follow the 3 Cs for the key to recruitment

Recruiting, hiring, talent attraction, talent acquisition…whatever words you use you can’t escape the fact that sourcing and hiring new people for your business is far harder to get right than it is wrong, with new research showing that a negative experience can damage your bottom line.  Its long been said that you can tell a […]

Metrics are the key to effective business strategy

How are the best HR functions using metrics to inform and execute business strategy? Will HR ever add value to the business strategy through its development and execution of people strategy?  If so, how will it prove it, and what are the benefits of being able to provide such proof? We at Orion Partners decided […]

Bad communication real culprit of high staff turnover

Although many employers are blaming the recession for increased levels of staff turnover, in reality as many as a third should look to their own poor communication and unsupportive company culture as the main culprits.  Nigel Watson, managing director of performance management specialists Q4 Solutions, claimed that many businesses were simply "burying their heads in […]

SMEs could add £15bn by applying HR planning

SMEs could add £15bn to the economy by using HR planning to become more effective and profitable, according to a recent survey. A recent study has concluded HR planning is one of six key principles SMEs should adopt to tap into their competitiveness. A six-month study commissioned by Royal Mail compared growth rates among 500 […]

Controversial HR outsourcing leads to NHS resignation

The head of an NHS membership body has resigned after the organisation was criticised for its handling of a project to provide outsourced HR services to the health service.  Steve Barnett, chief executive of the NHS Confederation since February last year and former NHS deputy director of HR, quit following a critical report of its […]

Exploring the engagement and retention relationship

With resignation on the increase it makes good business sense to focus on retaining the talent you already have. Recent research from Oxfordshire-based management consulting firm, The Focus Group finds that 60% of the 950 executives polled will be looking to jump ship on the economic upturn, thus creating a major void in 450 organisations. […]

Met’s HR system £10 million over budget

After being attacked by David Cameron in  the leader’s debates during the general election, there’s more bad news for the Met as it is revealed their HR system is £10 million over budget. The Metropolitan Police Service’s new HR system is currently £10 million over budget and running six months late, according to a report […]

Ask the expert: Can we promote a worker above their supervisor?

Can we promote a worker above their supervisor? Martin Brewer and Esther Smith advise.       The question: Can we promote a worker above their supervisor? We have a factory Manager who is responsible for all issues within the factory. He has not been undertaking his duties correctly and during his reviews has said […]

Train to reduce turnover

While finding ways to ensure an effective work-life balance is the most important factor in keeping hold of older IT workers, training is the key to younger employees’ hearts.  These are the finding of new research commissioned by IT and management training provider Global Knowledge and high tech web site, TechRepublic. The study found that […]

Legal update: Discrimination and commission

Employment law briefing – practical, digestible takeaways to help you make sense of the confusing world of employment case law from Suzanne Horne of Morrison and Foerster. This month, discrimination and capping commission. Homer v Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Takeaway: Requirement of a degree not age discrimination The Court of Appeal has held that […]

Take the Alan Sugar leadership test

Alan Sugar has returned to our screens in the Junior Apprentice (Wednesdays, 9pm, BBC1), we present the Alan Sugar test – have you got what it takes to lead in your organisation?       The thirst to find the next crop of leaders and entrepreneurs seems to show no signs of abating judging by […]

Is Simon Cowell your dream HR director?

A poll has revealed that Simon Cowell is the ideal HR director, while Lord Alan Sugar is the dream CEO.    The results are part of a nationwide poll which questioned 1,386 members of the British public to find out which well-known names they would most like to see in roles that are typically found […]

BA strike fears continue

Unite union leaders have been urged to call almost three weeks of strikes at British Airways as they prepare to meet cabin crew representatives today to discuss next moves.   The recommendations were made by some union officials to their leadership after Unite members voted overwhelmingly – 81%, on a turnout of 71% – on Friday […]

Cutting the deficit: off-shoring could be the answer

So the 2010 election delivered a hung parliament: whoever eventually fills the power vacuum for good should consider offshoring thousands of civil servant jobs, including HR and finance roles, in order to cut the huge public deficit.  This is one of the key recommendations from a policy paper entitled ‘We can cut the deficit: Ten […]

Skills of workers aren’t ‘visible’ claim HR

Only a third of UK HR professionals are very confident that they could redeploy staff as necessary within the business to cope with likely political, economic and business change over the next 12-18 months.   Instead too many feel that they do not know what skills and experience are currently available within their workforces, a […]

Only 40% of employees say their business is ethical

While employers that adhere to corporate social responsibility and environmentally-friendly business practices show better rates of employee engagement and retention, only two out of five UK staff believe that the organisation they work for behaves ethically.  These are the findings of a survey undertaken among 1,000 personnel by the Kenexa Research Institute (KRI), a subsidiary […]

Are your employees aware of your sickness policy?

A survey of 500 businesses has revealed up to 1/4 do not routinely tell employees about any benefits of the sickness policy, leaving many employees unaware of any benefits to them if they fall ill.  When asked to elaborate, eight per cent of businesses questioned had a policy in place but preferred to maintain secrecy […]

Social media? We’re seeing the light, say managers

New research has highlighted a sea change in the way management consider’s social media’s role in the business – however security remains a concern. Clearswift, the software security company has today unveiled new research outlining the latest business adoption of social media in the UK. The report outlines a startling change in the adoption of […]

Are you sitting comfortably?

Most employees asked these days would probably answer yes: companies invest hundreds of thousands of pounds in high quality adjustable chairs with ergonomic desks all complying to the latest legislation, so why are muscular skeletal problems still the biggest cause of sickness absence in the UK today and on the rise?   The modern day workstation […]

The HR business partner health check

The trend in recent years has been a move towards a decentralisation of the HR role out into local business and organisation units, exemplified by the role of HR Business Partners (HRBPs). In theory, the HRBP brings HR expertise closer to what is required and can therefore tailor service and advice to local business requirements. […]