Avoiding Blue Monday
In 1979 Bob Geldof complained that "I don’t like Mondays". So many people agreed with him that he went to the top of the charts. The fourth monday in January is “Blue Monday" and as such should be disliked above all other days because it has been declared the most depressing day of the year […]
Are you stressed at work?
Many articles on stress concentrate on what the stressed individual can do to relax, actively manage health, reduce the workload, re-arrange priorities and clear away small niggling jobs. All of which is, I am sure, good advice and would give temporary relief, which might just be enough to get a stressed person back on track […]
Stress and depression ‘no reason to take time off’
Employers are failing to take staff mental health issues seriously enough, with more than half claiming that anxiety, stress and depression are not good enough reasons to take time off work. According to a survey of 1,822 UK employers undertaken by online therapy and coaching marketplace Mentaline.com, a huge 64% did not consider anxiety as sufficient […]
Ask the expert: Work-related anxiety
This time the experts, Esther Smith and Martin Brewer give their advice on dealing with an employee away from work with anxiety and an eating disorder. The question: Work-related anxiety We have a junior member of office based staff currently signed off with “work related anxiety and an eating disorder”. The employee has been away […]
Don’t let snow stop your business
Much of the UK’s workforce ground to a halt at the beginning of the month in the freezing conditions that closed schools, rail links and airports. Mary Clarke offers some advice to help you plan ahead for the next forecast freeze. The Federation of Small businesses estimated that 10% of the UK’s 30 million workforce […]
How time flies…10 years of time and attendance
Today, flexible working and a greater work-life balance are real priorities for the modern worker rather than just a tempting bonus. To keep up with the changing expectations and demands of employees, businesses must begin to realise that time and attendance and workforce management systems provide critical support. With economic uncertainty and prolonged budget cuts […]
Depressed police officer should have been re-employed
In a case that raises questions over the extent of employers’ duties under disability discrimination legislation, an appeal tribunal has ruled that a police force acted unlawfully by refusing to reemploy an officer following her resignation. Sarah Jane Hinsley was suffering from undiagnosed depression when she quit West Mercia Police in January 2007, saying that […]
It’s snow joke for employers and the economy
This week’s snow has seen staff absence levels leap four-fold rise compared to last year, with the cost to the economy expected to hit as much as £1.2 billion per day in lost business. According to FirstCare, which provides absence management services, employers in Scotland and the North of England have been most affected as […]
Employment law round-up: Interesting developments in 2010
It’s been a busy year so far for employment lawyers. While we can’t cover all the changes that have happened in one article, here are a few interesting developments, plus ideas for ones to watch for in the near future. Fit notesThe Government suggested these would save British industry £240 million by getting us all […]
National Stress Awareness Day misses the point – focus on resilience
Stress Awareness Day should be rebranded Resilience Awareness Day in order to focus attention less on the symptoms and more on potential cures for the now widespread malaise, according to an HR services firm. Kevin Friery, clinical director of Right Management’s Right CoreCare business, said that staff today were stressed about two key things – […]
Top tips to beat stress at work
Stress is still a growing problem for British workers and there is a need for greater understanding and management of it by employers in all industries. Clive James of St John Ambulance has put together his top tips to help businesses address these issues. According to a recent survey by the TUC, stress has become […]
Workplace fatalities fall to lowest point
Although the number of work-related deaths and serious injuries may be falling, the incidents of stress, bullying and harassment are on the rise. According to figures published by the Health and Safety Executive, the number of workers that were killed at work dropped to 152 between April 2009 and March 2010, down from 179 the […]
Ask the expert: Providing a reference – what’s our duty to the employer?
The experts, Adam Partington and Esther Smith advise on whether a reference given should be updated to take account of a recent disciplinary hearing. The question: providing a reference – what’s our duty to the employer? About a week ago, we supplied a reference to a prospective employer of one of our employees. Our […]
Equality Act: pre-employment health questions – what difference will it make?
The changes in the law concerning pre-employment healthcare questions have proved some of the most divisive out of all of the Equality Act adjustments. The moves outlaw medical examinations and healthcare questions prior to employment, and the changes are also designed to strengthen protection of disabled workers and applicants. The new provision prohibits employers asking […]
Ask the expert: Sickness and holiday pay
The experts, Adam Partington and Esther Smith advise on working out holiday leave for a sick employee. The question: Sickness and holiday pay Situation: Employee off on sick leave for 7.5 months. Received Full pay for 6 months, half pay for the remaining 1.5 months. Company policy) Returned to work on a fit note […]
UK employees too embarrassed to work up a sweat
One in three UK employees avoid taking exercise during the working day because they are embarrassed about being hot and sweaty in front of colleagues. But 55% spend more than half of their day sitting or standing still and a huge four out of five fail to take the recommended amount of exercise each week. […]
Dying for work – over 20,000 every year, claims TUC
More than 20,000 UK staff are killed prematurely through their work each year, while 1.2 million are suffering from work-related illnesses ranging from musculoskeletal disorders such as back pain to mental health problems such as depression. These are the findings of research undertaken by union umbrella organisation the TUC, which revealed that the equivalent of […]
Older workforce will present new health challenges for employers
Occupational health professionals have warned that employers could face challenges in managing the needs of the more than 50% of workers who either do not expect to retire or are unsure when they can afford to do so. An online poll among 1,478 UK workers undertaken by ICM Research on behalf of Baring Asset Management […]
Employees want counselling at work
More than half of UK staff would like their employer to provide a confidential counselling service to help them cope with recession-related stress. Moreover, according to a survey among 1,440 people undertaken by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), a huge 78% now also believe that workplace stress is an acceptable reason to […]
Working hours culture changed by recession
Working patterns have changed as a result of the recession, with staff moving to a “mixed hours” rather than a “long hours” culture and older workers changing career in order to stay in employment. According to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), the loss of nearly one million full-time jobs and a […]
