The first HCM reporting benchmark: BITC’s Workwell model
Business in the Community’s Workwell benchmark, launched today after five years of research, provides the first HCM reporting standard for FTSE 100 companies. The evidence-based model establishes guidelines for measuring how employers manage employee wellness, engagement, skills, and resilience across four key pillars, addressing investor demand for rigorous human capital management transparency.
HRD Insight: Enterprise Rent-A-Car’s Leigh Lafever-Ayer on flexible working
Enterprise Rent-A-Car discovered that home-working for call centre staff reduces costs by £3,500 per employee annually while improving productivity and reducing absenteeism. The company piloted the flexible working programme at its reservations department and plans to expand it into a long-term initiative.
News: Higher stress levels and longer hours with us for next 3 years
A Towers Watson survey reveals that UK workers face excessive pressure and longer hours, with 46% of companies expecting no improvement over the next three years. High stress levels are affecting employee retention and engagement across organizations worldwide.
Well-being at work: Learning to love what you do
Social connections at work are as important for health and well-being as diet and exercise. Building high-quality relationships through empathy, treating colleagues as equals, and finding flow in your work can significantly boost job satisfaction, productivity, and overall happiness.
News: Call centre workers in East Anglia most likely to throw a sickie…
A UK survey reveals that 35% of workers admit to calling in sick dishonestly, with call centre staff most likely to fake illness. East Anglia leads regional figures at 40%, though 55% of employees actually work while ill due to job security fears.
News: Lack of first aid skills leads to death of 140,000 workers each year
Annually, 140,000 workers die from lack of first aid access, yet half of UK employers lack formal emergency assessment processes. Research shows less than 20% of workers know basic first aid, and four in five have experienced shifts with no first aid cover.
Ask the Expert: What legal issues do well-being initiatives generate?
Workplace well-being initiatives require careful planning to avoid legal pitfalls. Key considerations include whether benefits are contractual or discretionary, ensuring proper risk assessments, and involving employees in program design to maximize uptake and compliance.
News: Heart attack risk higher for disempowered workers under stress
Workers experiencing job strain—high stress combined with little control over their work—face a 23% increased risk of heart attack or coronary death, according to research from University College London. The condition is most common among lower-skilled workers and often leads to unhealthy lifestyle choices like smoking and inactivity.
Living Leader Learnings: Longer hours for less pay – How can I motivate my team?
When salaries are frozen and staff are stretched thin, leaders can’t simply motivate teams from the outside. Instead, create space for employees to take ownership of their working conditions by involving them in solving problems together and finding ways to work more efficiently.
News: Two whistleblowers find themselves vindicated
Two whistleblowers were vindicated this week: Kay Sheldon, a UK health regulator board member whose concerns about patient safety culture were upheld, and Bradley Birkenfeld, a former UBS banker awarded $104 million by US tax authorities for exposing the bank’s tax evasion schemes.
Blog: Learning resilience from going with the flow
Discover how the psychology of flow can build resilience in busy professionals. Learn practical techniques to anchor your mind in the present moment and reduce anxiety caused by dwelling on past failures or future worries.
News: Govt plans to axe employer safety checks garner mixed response
The UK government plans to exempt low-risk businesses from routine health and safety inspections under new proposals, drawing both support from employers and concerns from safety professionals about reducing expert guidance and oversight.
News: State pension age rises to create “limbo zone” for older workers
Rising state pension age will create a “limbo zone” for older workers who are too young to claim their pension but too old or infirm to work, warns the TUC. Analysis shows only 54% of men aged 60-64 and 62% of women aged 56-60 are employed, with nearly two in five economically inactive due to illness and disability.
EU proposals: Tightening up Ts&Cs for temporarily posted workers
The EU’s Posting of Workers Directive requires employers to apply minimum employment terms and conditions to workers temporarily sent to other member states, including minimum pay, working hours, leave, and health and safety standards. A UK government consultation on enforcing these rules has closed, with responses expected to shape the UK’s negotiating position on the directive.
Blog: How to build rapport during a job interview
Building rapport with your interviewer is crucial to interview success, as many hiring decisions are made within the first few minutes. By preparing thoroughly, listening actively, and viewing the interview as a two-way conversation rather than an interrogation, you can establish genuine connection and demonstrate you’re a credible fit for the role.
The HRZone Interview: Best Companies’ Wayne Clarke on engagement
Wayne Clarke of Best Companies discusses eight critical factors for employee engagement, including leadership quality, management effectiveness, colleague relationships, and personal growth opportunities. He explains how recession has forced many organizations into survival mode, but those thriving must prioritize clear communication and authenticity to rebuild employee confidence and engagement.
News: Ex-Apple exec sues over alleged ‘job for life’ promise
Former Apple executive Wayne Goodrich is suing the company for emotional distress, claiming Steve Jobs promised him lifelong employment during a 2010 meeting. Goodrich, who worked for Apple, Pixar, and NeXt for over 21 years and helped launch the iPhone and iPad, was dismissed in December for “business reasons” and is seeking compensation for lost wages, benefits, and emotional damages.
Blog: Learning to manage sickness absence more creatively
NHS workers took an average of 15 days of sickness absence last year. Rather than simply recording staff as absent, employers can redeploy workers with minor ailments to training or administrative tasks, improving business efficiency while supporting employee development.
Ask the Expert: What do we do about a new hire who hasn’t told us about her disability?
When a new hire discloses a disability after accepting a job offer, employers must balance legal obligations under the Equality Act with health and safety requirements. An Occupational Health Assessment can help determine if reasonable adjustments allow the employee to safely perform the role, while unfavorable treatment or withdrawing the offer could result in discrimination claims.
News: EU – Employers must assess staff well-being during redundancy
EU draft proposals would require employers to assess employees’ psychological well-being when considering redundancies and evaluate the impact on local communities. The directive, set for a European Parliament vote in November, aims to ensure companies monitor staff mental health during restructuring and implement regular evaluation tools in cooperation with employee representatives.
