HR Industry News

All articles published in 2007

Ceridian highly commended by the IPP

Ceridian has been highly commended by the Institute of Payroll Professionals for the award of IPP Employer of the Year. 7 December 2007

Imminent crackdown on rogue employers

Government set to come down on hard on employers dodging National Minimum Wage compliance. 06 December 2007

9 to 5 on the decline

95% of workplaces now offer some form of flexible working, proof that the traditional 9 to 5 working day is on the decline in the UK. 4 December 2007

Employee appraisals rated a "waste of time" by employees

Research has shown that many employees view personal appraisals as a waste of time - many even think their manager is lying to them. 4 December 2007

Support for Stress Sicknotes Promised

The government is set to treble the number of employment advisers in GP surgeries as part of a wider scheme to help people with stress back to work. 28 November 2007

Reputation growing in reputation

Businesses are often overlooking the importance of workforce reputation, putting too much emphasis on customer reputation. 28 November 2007

Employees expect social responsibility from their employers

Employees are increasingly looking to their employers to behave ethically and develop corporate social responsibility agendas. 26 November 2007

Employees on notice warned against burning bridges

43% of office workers have ended up working with an ex-colleague in a new job. They have been urged to treat their notice periods with respect. 26 November 2007

Government aims to end sick-note Britain

The government has announced a new medical test that will score a person's capability to work. 20 November 2007

Internet-related sackings on the rise

Over 1700 employees have been sacked or disciplined for email or internet abuse in the past three years according to figures released this week. 13 November 2007

Acquisition of Ceridian completed

Thomas H.Lee Partners and Fidelity National Financial, Inc. have completed the acquisition of Ceridian for approximately $5.3 billion. 12 November 2007

Government aims to strike work-life balance

The government is considering plans to extend the right to flexible working to parents of children older than six years old. 7 November 2007

HR struggling to meet standards

HR is struggling to achieve acceptable delivery standards according to a recent survey. 7 November 2007

Ceridian scoops top honours for second year in succession

Ceridian has picked up the Payroll Outsourcing Provider of the Year for the second consecutive year at the Annual Pay Awards. 31 October 2007

Government advisor demands one hour of exercise per day

One of the government's leading advisors has claimed that companies with over 500 employees should introduce an hour of physical exercise each day. 26 October 2007

Businesses urged to tackle sicknote culture

Companies have been warned to tackle the sicknote culture in Britain after research showed that four in five employees fake sickies on a regular basis. 26 October 2007

Ken Livingstone in London skills drive

A new report published by the Mayor of London Ken Livingstone claims that too many Londoners lack the skills they need to compete for jobs. 15 October 2007

HMRC announces change to holiday pay via third parties

The exemption from National Insurance Contributions (NICs) of holiday pay paid via a third party is to be removed for all sectors outside the construction industry. 12 October 2007

Mental illness at work

A survey reveals that one in four people will personally experience a mental condition in their lives, but more than half are too embarrassed to tell their employer. 11 October 2007

Over 100 employers sign up to landmark employment initiative

Department for Work and Pensions reveals commitment to its employment initiative. 11 October 2007

Providing employment opportunity for all

Modernisation of the welfare system aims to start delivering full employment within a generation. 10 October 2007

Drive for more apprenticeships in the public sector

In a bid to help employers recruit and young people build skills, the government announces plans to make apprenticeships more easily accessible. 08 October 2007

Survey reveals more than a third are fiddling expenses

New research has revealed that more than a third of employees have fiddled their expenses. 4 October 2007

Public perception of ethnic minority women out of touch, says survey

New research shows ethnic minority women are an untapped asset in the workplace. 3 October 2007

Millions benefit from increase pay and leave entitlements

The minimum annual leave entitlement increase has now been implemented, along with an increase in the National Minimum Wage. 02 October 2007

Enterprise and growth crucial to UK businesses

The government starts consultative talks today to start work on a new enterprise framework to further the success of UK businesses. 20 September 2007

In-house training could lead to nationally recognised qualifications

An initiative has been launched that would see in-house training lead to nationally recognised qualifications. 19 September 2007

Government welcomes record figures of people in work

Employment Minister Caroline Flint has welcomed the latest labour market figures which show a record number of people in work. 18 September 2007

New measures to combat rogue employers

New measures announced to combat rogue employers who don't comply with National Minimum Wage guidelines. 13 September 2007

Pension scheme e-filing: one month to go

Do you run a pension scheme? HMRC warns that the e-filing date for registered pension schemes, is imminent. 13 September 2007

Flexible working on the rise

A recent survey suggests that businesses are increasingly accepting requests for flexible and part-time working. 12 September 2007

Planning needed for flu pandemic

A lack of forward planning would leave businesses crippled and millions of workers unprotected in the event of a flu pandemic this winter. 7 September 2007

Ken Loach condemns treatment of migrant workers

With the release of his latest film, "It's a free world", Ken Loach has labelled the treatment of migrant workers in the UK "hypocritical". 6 September 2007

CBI reject Remembrance Bank Holiday

The CBI has branded the idea of a new bank holiday as pointless, claiming it will cost the British economy £6bn. 5 September 2007

Three in ten UK workers moonlight

The recent bank holiday may have been an opportunity for many to enjoy the sunshine, but for others, it was a chance to moonlight. 31 August 2007

National Payroll Week is approaching

National Payroll Week is 10th to 14th September, so why not take this opportunity to say thank you to all the people in your business who make payroll happen? 30 August 2007

Employers encouraged to promote more "green" policies

The CIPD has claimed that employers can do better to promote environmentally friendly policies in the workplace. 30 August 2007

Competitive workers harming team spirit

Competitive workers may be harming team spirit, according to a new survey published by Yougov.com for Investors in People. 29 August 2007

Obsession with Level 2 training holding back scheme

A multi-million pound scheme to improve skills in the workplace is being held back by an obsession with Level 2 training say businesses leaders. 23 August 2007

Calls for new association for diversity managers

The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) says that a new professional association is needed to establish industry standards for diversity experts. 20 August 2007

Companies urged to improve retention strategies

UK companies are being urged to focus on retention strategies as studies show workers are leaving jobs to start new careers. 20 August 2007

Argos worker sacked over Facebook slur

An Argos employee has been sacked after making negative comments about his employer on the social networking site Facebook. 10 August 2007

New maternity law prompting employers to rethink

Recent changes to maternity legislation are making employers think twice about employing women - according to the results of a new survey. 10 August 2007

Workplace death figures unacceptable

New figures from the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) reveal that the number of workplace deaths in the UK rose by 11% last year. 8 August 2007

Private sector back-to-work schemes no longer preferred option

The government has revealed funding to encourage private sector companies to develop back-to-work schemes is only likely to rise by 25%. 7 August 2007

UK Workers refute Boris Johnson's 'sloth' claims

UK workers have refuted claims by conservative MP Boris Johnson that working from home is a 'euphemism for sloth'. 31 July 2007

Gender equality still generations away

The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) has warned that gender equality is still generations away unless urgent action is taken. 27 July 2007

Holiday plans welcomed by unions

Plans by the government to prevent firms from deducting bank holidays from their workers' annual leave entitlement have been welcomed by union leaders. 27 July 2007

Cyber-bullying on the increase

A fifth of UK employees claim to have been bullied by e-mail at work, according to a recently published survey. 27 July 2007

UK businesses face recruitment problems

80% of UK businesses anticipate difficulties in finding talented people to fill vacancies, according to research carried out by the Cranfield School of Management. 26 July 2007

Report calls for an end to retirement age

A new report reveals that employers who do not enforce a fixed retirement age are overwhelmingly pleased with their decision. 18 July 2007

Organisations recognise importance of wellbeing strategies

New research by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has revealed that a record number of organisations are introducing wellbeing strategies to reduce sickness absence. 18 July 2007

TV advert aims to improve skills

A new television advertising campaign encouraging employers and individuals to gain better skills is being launched. 13 July 2007

Raising awareness of age discrimination

More needs to be done to raise awareness of age discrimination issues, according to a new report which examines the impact of recent legislation on recruitment. 12 July 2007

Entrepreneurs admit stress is affecting their quality of life

Research has revealed that 54% of British entrepreneurs find their work stressful, with 39% claiming that stress is affecting their quality of life. 11 July 2007

TV contributing to skills shortage

Film and television could be contributing to a national skills shortage according to new research into the career ambitions of secondary school pupils. 10 July 2007

Report highlights challenges of flexible working

A new report highlights the challenges faced by employers and employees when dealing with flexible working. 5 July 2007

Three-quarters of firms would employ ex-offenders

Three quarters of organisations would consider employing ex-offenders if they had the relevant skills, according to research by the CIPD. 2 July 2007

Holiday costs to rise for employers

Employers face a hike in wage costs of up to three per cent following the introduction of new holiday entitlement regulations. 28 June 2007

One third of employers want to ban cigarette breaks

A third of employers are planning to use the 1 July smoking ban in England to ban their employees from taking cigarette breaks. 26 June 2007

UK employees missing out on flexible working

UK employers are lagging behind the rest of Europe when it comes to offering flexible working according to the Equal Opportunities Commission. 22 June 2007

New taskforce to tackle sickness absence

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has launched a new initiative aimed at tackling the 175 million working days lost due to sickness absence each year. 22 June 2007

Consultation launched on new equality legislation

The government is planning to modernise discrimination legislation and has published a consultation document that includes proposals for a Single Equality Bill. 20 June 2007

Research reveals conflict is rife in the workplace

People who work in human resources, finance, retail, travel and transport are the most likely to experience conflict in the workplace according to a new study. 14 June 2007

Action needed on mental ill health says CIPD

Stress, depression and anxiety are amongst the most common reasons for workers taking time off according to new research. 06 June 2007

New quality mark recognises smarter working

The introduction of smarter working practises in UK businesses has been given a boost with the launch of a new quality mark. 29 May 2007

Internal grievance procedures futile says report

New research highlights problems with internal workplace grievance procedures, and shows that more and more employees are resorting to employment tribunals. 25 May 2007

Views sought on paternity proposals

The government is consulting businesses over proposals which could allow fathers to take 26 weeks' paternity leave. 24 May 2007

Fewer days off sick for manufacturing workers

Workers in the manufacturing sector now take, on average, less than seven days off sick each year. 18 May 2007

Equal opportunities essential for recruitment and retention

New research shows that companies without equal opportunity policies are 20% more likely than average to record a financial loss. 14 May 2007

Employers warned that tax deadline is looming

The tax man is urging employers to beat the looming deadline and file their tax returns as soon as possible. 11 May 2007

The end of nine-to-five working

More and more people are giving up the traditional nine-to-five working routine to work outside traditional working hours. 11 May 2007

New parenting rights could close nurseries

New flexible parenting rights are having a knock-on effect on nurseries, and may result in closures. 4 May 2007

Men more likely to lie on their CV

New research shows that men are more likely to lie on their CV than women. 1 May 2007

UK a nation of flexible firms

Nine out of ten UK employers offer their staff some degree of flexible working according to a BCC report. 25 April 2007

Calls for national Occupational Health Service

The British Medical Association (BMA) is calling for investment in a nationwide Occupational Health Service as doctors are being overwhelmed by sickness absence cases. 23 April 2007

Police Force benefits from wellbeing initiatives

A series of wellbeing initiatives has seen absenteeism cut by a quarter in one UK police force, and has even made the force fitter. 23 April 2007

Stress: the silent epidemic

New research reveals that millions of workers are likely to be suffering from depression and panic attacks because of stress at work. Two thirds of those polled said they had been made ill by work. 18 April 2007

Sickies costing the economy £1.6 billion

New research reveals that staff 'pulling a sickie' may have cost the economy £1.6bn last year and businesses the loss of 21 million working days. 13 April 2007

Candidates falling foul of internet gossip

Candidates are discovering that personal information on the internet can make or break their chances of landing a new job. 10 April 2007

Employers benefit from helping staff to quit smoking

Employers are being encouraged to help their staff quit smoking as the total workplace ban is set to come into effect in England this July. 10 April 2007

Banking system hitch delays payment for over 400,000

400,000 UK employees will not be paid today, as a result of a problem with the Bank Automated Clearing System. 30 March 2007

Microsoft UK's diversity shockwave

Microsoft UK has sent a very clear message to British employers about how much it values diversity, after ditching a supplier for its 'cavalier' approach to diversity. 22 March 2007

New rules on trying out work

The government introduces new rules to enable people to try out work without losing their benefit entitlements. 21 March 2007

Fattism should be unlawful

A charity is stepping up its pressure to put obesity on the political agenda and force the government to make fattism unlawful. 21 March 2007

Disgruntled job-seekers become brand bashers

Job-seekers who receive short shrift from potential employers can become brand bashers, according to the results of a new survey. 20 March 2007

MP vows to continue fight for rights of temporary workers

An MP has vowed to carry on fighting after the Private Member's Bill he tabled to bring in legislation to give temporary workers the same rights as employed staff was blocked by the government. 9 March 2007

Clampdown on employers dodging pension responsibilities

Cash sweeteners, which are commonly used by UK firms to transfer staff out of final salary pension schemes, will soon be taxed by the government. 8 March 2007

Encourage lone parents back to work with flexible working

The government must do more to stress the benefits of flexible working to employers and job seekers 5 March 2007

DWP calls for debate about good work

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) wants to encourage the government, business and charities to start a debate about what constitutes 'good work' 01 March 2007

Women still missing from top jobs

Women are still not getting top jobs in the UK according to a new study by the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) 7 March 2007

Senior managers not concerned about employees using own cars for work

Company bosses still do not understand the potential risks associated with allowing employees to use their own cars to make business trips. 01 March 2007