Blog: How to deal with the pregnancy issue – legally
Pregnant employees and those on maternity leave have significant legal protections, including up to 52 weeks maternity leave, statutory pay, and protection from dismissal. Employers must conduct risk assessments and ensure employees can return to their same role on identical terms.
Blog: How to get employee recognition programmes right
Strategic employee recognition programmes tied to corporate values significantly improve employee engagement, enablement and culture management. Research shows companies with structured recognition initiatives report less frustrated employees, better understanding of organizational objectives, and stronger retention rates.
News: Public/private sector pay gap widens, gender pay gap eases
Public sector workers earn on average £86 more per week than private sector employees, widening the pay gap, while the gender pay gap has fallen below 10% for the first time, driven by faster wage growth for women aged 22 to 49.
News: 2013/14 to see surge in executive pay battles, warns report
Shareholder opposition to executive pay proposals is expected to surge in 2013-2014 as more long-term incentive plans come up for renewal, according to a KPMG report. Despite media coverage of high-profile pay revolts in 2012, serious shareholder revolts actually declined that year, but experts predict significant backlash ahead.
News: Greencore workers win temporary pay cut claim
Over 400 Greencore workers in Hull are expected to receive up to £1.2 million after the company refused to restore their original pay rates and holiday benefits following a temporary suspension agreed to during difficult trading conditions.
News: Christian demoted for gay marriage opposition wins breach of contract case
A Christian man won a breach of contract case against his employer after being demoted for posting opposition to gay church marriages on Facebook. Adrian Smith was given a final written warning and a 40% salary cut by Trafford Housing Trust, but a High Court judge ruled the demotion unlawful and violated his freedom of religious expression.
Blog: Why do we nearly always misread what motivates others?
Research consistently shows that people misjudge what motivates others at work. While managers often assume employees are driven by compensation and job security, employees actually prioritize meaningful work, recognition, and feeling valued. Money compensates fairly but doesn’t drive engagement beyond a baseline level.
Relationship building – The power of feedback
Effective feedback is essential for building strong workplace relationships and driving business success. By learning to give and receive feedback constructively, you create trust and openness that enable game-changing conversations and improved team performance.
News: Gender bias alive and well, survey finds
A Chartered Management Institute survey reveals a significant gender pay gap among UK executives, with women earning £10,060 less annually and receiving less than half the bonuses awarded to men, resulting in a lifetime earnings gap of £423,390.
News: Long term incentives boost FTSE director earnings
FTSE-100 directors’ total earnings rose 10% on average despite slower basic pay and bonus growth, driven by a significant 81% increase in vested long-term incentive plans. LTIPs, now used by over 90% of FTSE-100 companies, enable directors to earn substantial rewards tied to shareholder returns and competitive performance metrics.
Giz a job: The state of the HR recruitment market
HR recruitment activity is rebounding after the summer slowdown, with increased permanent hiring across financial and professional services. Strong demand exists for HR generalists and mid-level talent professionals earning £60,000-80,000, though senior roles above £150,000 remain challenging due to cost constraints and candidate inflexibility.
News: Earnings growth to remain weak for next five years
Wage growth is expected to remain weak for the next five years, with average pay increases estimated between 2.2% and 2.5% annually due to labour market slack. Even by 2017, wage rises are unlikely to exceed 3%, significantly below pre-financial crisis averages of 4.3%, putting continued pressure on household spending power.
News: Eight ways to cope with the clocks going back
As the clocks go back this Sunday, millions of workers face the winter blues and disrupted sleep patterns. Monster.co.uk offers eight practical tips to cope with the time change, including personalizing your workspace, maintaining a healthy breakfast routine, managing workload effectively, building support networks, rewarding yourself, and focusing on workplace positives.
News: Birmingham equal pay ruling could open claim floodgates
A Supreme Court ruling allows thousands of workers to bring equal pay claims dating back six years instead of six months. The landmark decision backs 174 women from Birmingham City Council who were denied bonuses paid to male colleagues in similar roles.
HRD Insight: Allianz’s Philip Gennoy on aligning HR and business goals
Allianz Insurance’s HR director Philip Gennoy explains how to align HR strategy with business goals by balancing tactical day-to-day execution with long-term planning. He emphasizes breaking down master plans into practical steps—such as filling immediate vacancies and developing talent pipelines—to ensure HR directly supports corporate objectives.
Blog: Remember your manners – The benefits of just saying ‘thank you’
Saying “thank you” is one of the most powerful tools in a leader’s toolkit, yet many managers overlook this simple courtesy. Expressing gratitude communicates that people are valued and appreciated, making it essential for building strong business relationships and creating respectful workplace cultures.
News: 1 in 5 Londoners get poverty wages as MPs go for 4 times average
One in five Londoners earn poverty wages while MPs are proposed a 40% pay raise to reach four times the national average salary, according to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority’s latest recommendations.
News: Financial services firms scoop up at race diversity awards
Financial services firms dominated this year’s Race for Opportunity awards, with Barclays, HSBC, Goldman Sachs, and KPMG among the winners recognized for workplace diversity and inclusion initiatives.
CEO Insight: Spencer Ogden’s David Spencer-Percival on engagement
Spencer Ogden CEO David Spencer-Percival discusses workforce engagement strategies, emphasizing that employee retention depends on creating positive work environments through thoughtful office design, leadership outlook, and competitive incentive schemes rather than relying solely on aesthetics.
Legal Insight: How to avoid employment tribunal claims
Employers can significantly reduce employment tribunal claims by taking a proactive stance on conflict management, avoiding settling meritless claims, and implementing proper HR procedures. With defense costs averaging £20,000 annually, strategic prevention through clear communication and management training proves more cost-effective than litigation.
