Tube drivers to start industrial action on Friday
London Underground tube drivers are beginning industrial action Friday over safety concerns and proposed operational changes. The RMT union, representing about half the driver workforce, rejected what it claims are dangerous cost-cutting measures that could eliminate jobs and reduce station staffing.
Unions mount legal challenge to Government pension changes
UK’s six largest public sector unions are mounting a judicial review challenge against government pension changes that switched from the retail price index to the consumer price index for annual increases, claiming the move lacked consultation and breaches existing legislation.
IT outsourcing cuts costs, but fails to improve quality, warn HRDs
Public sector HR directors believe IT outsourcing can cut costs but won’t improve service quality, according to a survey of 100 government employees. While nearly two-thirds expect reduced spending, only one in four anticipate better services.
Technical skills seen as key barrier in move to HR shared services
Technical skills and capability gaps are major barriers for public sector organizations implementing HR and payroll shared services, according to a survey of over 100 public bodies. While technology improves efficiency and handles multiple service requests, developing the necessary skills to manage software and technical systems remains a top challenge for newcomers to shared services.
Blog: Committing to a compassionate culture within the NHS
The NHS must shift from compliance-focused culture to prioritizing compassion in patient care. This requires genuine commitment from senior leadership and management teams to reduce bureaucracy, allowing staff time for meaningful patient interactions rather than administrative tasks.
Public sector job cuts hindering not helping deficit reduction, warns CIPD
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development warns that public sector job cuts are undermining deficit reduction efforts. A survey found job losses running five times above Office for Budget Responsibility forecasts, with over 600,000 positions expected to be lost by 2015-16—a third more than government projections.
Stress now most common cause of sickness absence at work
Stress has become the leading cause of long-term sickness absence among UK workers, surpassing cancer. A new survey reveals the problem is most acute in the public sector, where half of organisations report stress-related absences linked to job security concerns and workplace changes.
Sheffield Council settles equal pay claim out-of-court
Sheffield Council has settled an equal pay claim involving 900 female workers out of court, avoiding a Supreme Court case that could have cost £20 million. Individual compensation awards are expected to range from hundreds of pounds to tens of thousands, though the union expressed disappointment at the three-year timeline to settlement.
PCS calls off Fujitsu strike, but Unite goes ahead
The Public and Commercial Services union called off its Fujitsu strike after reaching a pay agreement that includes an 11% raise for lowest-paid workers, but Unite members plan to continue their walk-outs over unresolved disputes regarding union recognition, benefits, and redundancy terms.
Analysis: Private sector fails to offset public sector jobs cull as unemployment soars
Unemployment hit 7.9% in the three months to July, marking the largest quarterly increase since 2009, as public sector job cuts of 111,000 far outpace the private sector’s ability to create new employment.
Cap is not damaging economy, says immigration advisor
The UK’s immigration cap shows no evidence of damaging the economy, though it’s creating employment challenges in the public sector, according to the government’s chief immigration advisor. The Migration Advisory Committee recommends closing 70,000 jobs to non-EEA workers while keeping specific skilled roles open to migrant workers.
Engineering suffers from lack of jobs not skills, says study
A Birmingham University study challenges claims of an engineering skills shortage, finding that fewer than half of engineering graduates work in the field six months after graduation. Researchers suggest the real problem is a lack of available jobs rather than insufficient skilled workers.
“Millions” of public servants to strike in November, warns union
Civil service union leaders have agreed to organize a second strike in November over public sector pensions, with officials warning that millions of public servants could participate. The TUC said it is prepared to coordinate nationwide industrial action if government talks on pension reform fail.
E-rostering helps Leeds NHS Trust manage workforce more efficiently
Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust replaced its paper-based rostering system with MAPS Healthroster, an electronic system that streamlines workforce management across 13,000 staff. The e-rostering tool reduces administrative burden, improves scheduling efficiency, and ensures accurate payroll while freeing senior nurses to focus on patient care.
Female unemployment to jump again from 23-year high
Female unemployment is rising to 23-year highs, with the TUC warning of further increases as public sector job cuts begin. Women make up a disproportionate share of public sector workers, making them vulnerable to upcoming government redundancies across health, education, and local government.
Blog: Is more home-working the Olympics’ legacy for employers?
London 2012 prompted major employers to reconsider flexible working arrangements to ease expected transport chaos during the Games. This shift toward remote work and flexi-time may create a lasting legacy, with organizations reassessing work practices beyond the Olympic period.
Birmingham Council to hire out staff using workforce planning tool
Birmingham City Council is using its new “Talent Net” workforce planning tool to identify and retain critical staff while managing thousands of job cuts. The framework will also enable the council to commercially hire out workers to other local authorities, helping offset expenditure reductions of £300 million.
Career visioning as an antidote to corporate rioting
Career visioning helps organizations address employee dissatisfaction and disengagement by demonstrating genuine commitment to staff development. When budgets are tight, strategic career planning—mapping employee growth over five, ten, or fifteen years—can rebuild trust and loyalty without requiring pay increases, benefiting both workers and employers.
Update: Health unions plan first ever NHS-wide strike
Health service unions are planning rolling strikes this autumn rather than a mass walkout if pension negotiations with the coalition government fail. The unions agreed to organize “smart” strike action that would disrupt non-essential services while maintaining patient safety and minimum care levels.
Bonuses and allowances compensate council bosses for pay cuts
Council chief executives received inflated bonuses and allowances to offset promised salary cuts, according to analysis of local authority accounts. Despite government calls for 10% pay reductions, senior leaders’ total compensation packages increased, with top earners exceeding £280,000 annually.
