Ask the Expert: What happens about holiday for staff on temporarily reduced working hours?
When employees temporarily reduce their working hours, holiday entitlement depends on what was negotiated. Unless the contract was formally varied to reflect the temporary reduction, employees typically retain their original holiday entitlement as stated in their initial contract, including bank holiday pay.
News: UK workers put in £157.2bn of unpaid overtime each year
UK workers are putting in £157.2 billion annually in unpaid overtime, with two-thirds experiencing elevated stress levels. A survey reveals employees work an average of 9.1 extra hours weekly without pay, equivalent to £5,276 per person yearly, prompting concerns about burnout and workaholism.
Book Review: How not to worry by Paul McGee
Paul McGee’s “How Not to Worry” offers practical strategies for “normal worriers” to reduce anxiety and stress through small changes. The book divides worry into constructive and destructive types, helping readers understand how worry becomes a default thinking pattern and offering techniques to manage it effectively.
News: Sainbury’s evaluates value of “micro-exercise” in cutting sickness rates
Sainsbury’s is testing whether brief “micro-exercise” breaks using vibration machines can reduce employee sickness absence. In a six-month pilot at its Coventry office, 85 workers performed three-minute stretches throughout the day, with 70% reporting fewer sick days and nine out of 10 noting increased energy and productivity.
News: Unpaid back-to-work schemes declared lawful
A UK court ruled that unpaid back-to-work schemes are lawful, but criticized the Department for Work and Pensions for providing unclear information to jobseekers. The ruling could expose the government to millions of pounds in reimbursement claims from thousands of people who lost benefits for non-participation.
Ask the Expert: What should I include in an absence management policy?
A comprehensive absence management policy should include reporting procedures, self-certification and fit note requirements, sick pay details, occupational health provisions, and return-to-work processes. The Bradford Factor can be used as a trigger for discussions about attendance issues, but not as an automatic disciplinary sanction. Policies should address different absence types fairly and consistently.
News: Mother loses dead son’s disability discrimination case against Amazon
A mother has lost her disability discrimination case against Amazon on behalf of her late son, a former warehouse worker who was sent home without pay due to back pain. Though the employment judge found Amazon not guilty of discrimination, he criticized the company’s handling of the situation. The son died of cancer before the case could proceed to court.
How to accommodate disabled workers in a post-Remploy world
Following Remploy factory closures, employers can support disabled workers through tailored accommodations and creative job restructuring. Minor workplace adjustments and role customization often enable disabled employees to perform excellently while bringing dedication and loyalty to their positions.
Blog: More cost for employers – Sick workers and annual leave
A UK Court of Appeal ruling confirms that workers continue to accrue annual leave while off sick and are entitled to carry it forward or receive payment upon termination, even without requesting it. This decision removes previous employer defenses and exposes businesses to substantial back-pay claims dating back to 1998.
TV Review: World’s maddest job interview
Channel 4’s ‘World’s Maddest Job Interview’ explores workplace mental health by having employers and psychologists assess 10 candidates, seven with mental health conditions. The programme reveals how difficult it is to identify mental illness from behavior alone, though it struggles to balance its serious subject matter with light-entertainment elements.
The HRZone Interview: Dr Cary Cooper on well-being at work
Dr. Cary Cooper, organizational psychology expert at Lancaster University, discusses workplace well-being challenges including work-life blurring caused by technology, the critical need for managers with strong interpersonal skills, and how poor management drives employee turnover and disengagement.
Blog: The crucial role of line managers in beating employee stress
Line managers play a crucial role in reducing workplace stress, which is now the leading cause of long-term sickness absence in the UK. Early intervention and support from HR enable managers to identify warning signs and implement solutions like flexible working and workload management.
News: FTSE 100 firms to be ranked on staff wellness and engagement
FTSE 100 companies will be ranked on staff wellness and engagement reporting through Business in the Community’s Workwell pilot project launching this autumn. Research shows firms with robust HR reporting processes outperform peers by 10%, highlighting the critical link between employee engagement and organisational performance.
How to administer pay cuts in times of austerity
Learn how governments and businesses are implementing pay cuts during austerity, from Spain’s royal family taking 7% reductions to NHS managers cutting wages 5%. Discover strategies for managing controversial cost-cutting measures while maintaining employee acceptance.
Analysis: Holiday pay for long-term sick ruling could prove “costly”
A Court of Appeal ruling that long-term sick employees are entitled to paid holiday could prove costly for employers while leaving key questions unresolved, legal experts warn. The landmark decision expands potential compensation claims but creates uncertainty around how long carry-over rights last and which holiday entitlements apply.
News: Govt launches 3-step mental health plan to save employers £10bn
The government launched a three-step mental health initiative to help employers reduce workplace mental health costs, which exceed £1,000 per employee annually. The plan recommends joining the Time to Change campaign, appointing mental health advocates, and using occupational health support services to boost worker wellbeing and productivity.
News: Sick days cost UK employers £89m per year
UK employers lose £89 million annually to sick days, though absence rates have declined over the past five years. A survey found employees took an average of 6.4 days off due to illness in 2011, down from 8.3 days in 2007, with public sector absence rates remaining higher than the private sector.
Blog: Are employers offering fathers enough support?
Research reveals that many fathers feel insufficient support from employers, with 54% of fathers with children under one feeling they don’t spend enough time with their kids. New studies show fathers who lack work-life balance policies experience low engagement, high stress, and reduced job motivation, suggesting organizations could benefit from implementing stronger parental support policies.
Ask the Expert: Can we recruit a leader if a team member is off sick?
Employers can recruit a team leader while an employee is on sick leave, but should communicate openly with the absent employee about the temporary nature of the role and ensure they have equal opportunity to apply for the position to avoid potential discrimination claims.
News: Olympics troops sleep on chairs, while civilians get luxury cruise liner
Olympic security troops sleep on chairs and camp beds while civilian workers enjoy luxury cruise liners with swimming pools and maid service. The military deployment followed private contractor G4S’s failure to provide sufficient security staff for the Games.
