In 2003, HR Zone members posted a total of 547 questions and 1252 answers – double the number posted in 2002! So, what were the hot topics that members were discussing in 2003? Here’s a round-up of some of the most popular ones…

Does a large HR department really add any value in the recruitment process?
A question posted on HR Zone’s sister community site, AccountingWEB, in its Any Answers forum. The accounting community’s perceptions of HR make illuminating reading – if you’re not too outraged by some of the comments!
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Employee satisfaction surveys
I’ve been asked to design and carry out an employee satisfaction survey. Has anyone conducted a survey recently who would be willing to share how they went about it, and the potential pitfalls?
Jane Fleet
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Benefits
We are looking to offer our employees some new benefits and need to put together a proposal. Any ideas?
Katherine Wilson
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Dress codes
I’m in the process of devising a new corporate dress code. However, the issue of not being ‘ethnically and culturally friendly’ has been raised. Any ideas on how one can go around this?
Pedro Ferreira
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Eye tests/glasses
I am in the process of updating our VDU policy, has anyone got one they are prepared to share? Also given that we have to contribute towards glasses what are companies paying?
Joanne Williams
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Time off for appointments
Do you ask time to make up time for appointments? Or do you just put it down to sick time?
Jenni Lawrence
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Retirement
With the age discrimination legislation looming, what are the implications of scrapping a normal retirement age?
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Tony Currie

Childcare vouchers
I am looking into the viability of offering childcare vouchers. Has anyone introduced a system? I would be keen to hear the benefits and costs that you experienced and also the practicalities of the provision.
Jennifer McGowan
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Staff turnover
I’m looking for the best methods/ratios/formulas to use in order to calculate turnover of staff.
Brian Kenny
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Bank holidays
We are struggling to decide on a fair bank holiday entitlement for part time employees without treating them less favourably than full timers. No doubt this issue has been solved satisfactorily by someone else, and I would be interested to know an amicable solution.
Matt Young
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Have you got a question? Post it now in Any Answers!