Should HR enforce a “Christmas shutdown”?
Is it still acceptable to ask employees to take their annual leave during the Christmas holiday? Sarah Tahamtani examines the legal implications of an ‘Christmas shut down’. Many UK businesses are faced with a dilemma as the festive season approaches – how to run their business during the Christmas period. The annual “shutdown” between Christmas […]
Shoe Zone closes stores blaming budget employment costs
Shoe Zone has closed its stores due to an increase in wages as a result the budget announcement made by the chancellor on October. The retailer with its headquarters in Leicester blamed “significant added costs” for making some stores “unviable”. However, it had already started closing some loss-making shops throughout the year. The number of […]
GMB union demands that NHS pay awards be truly independent
The GMB has called on the Pay Review Body to make sure that NHS workers’ pay awards in April next year are “truly impartial”. The union wrote to the PRB to ask the body to demonstrate to the Service employees that their process is “able to deliver for workers, by acting truly independent of the […]
Employers cautious about pay as inflation rises to 2.6%
Inflation in the UK has reached its highest level for eight months. It rose to 2.6% over the past year. According to the Office for National Statistics, fuel, clothing, and concert tickets prices have all increased. This is the highest rate of growth since March. The Bank of England had forecasted the increase, but it […]
Employers of shift-workers urged to prioritize sleep and fatigue management
Workers need to manage sleep and fatigue , especially those who work nights or other shifts, as this has a significant impact on health, safety and wellbeing. Clare Anderson of the University of Birmingham’s Department of Sleep and Circadian Science, Professor of Sleep and Circadian Science, explained the physiological causes of fatigue in shift workers […]
Mental and financial wellbeing at Christmas
As Christmas is just days away, John Mullally urges employers to review their provisions for financial and mental well-being. For many, Christmas is not just about turkey and all its trimmings, or Christmas pudding, but also about pressures such as: Work – redundancies, deadlines, targets for the year, and Christmas parties (and their aftermath). Early […]
Avanti West Coast Workers to Strike on New Year’s Day
After rejecting a revised wage deal, workers on the Avanti train line on West Coast have voted for a strike on New Years Eve. The strike will continue on Sundays from 12 January to 25 May. Last week, union members voted to accept a new deal after a strike that was scheduled for the Christmas […]
HR Predictions – What will happen in 2025? (webinar)
Thursday, 23rd January 2025 – 2 PM (GMT). The start of the new year is a crucial moment for organizations. As budgets shrink, leaders struggle to support their team while also making quick and smart decisions in the face of waves of disruption. Where does HR go next? This Personnel Today webinar, in partnership with […]
Why leaders need not be authentic
Since the pandemic in which leaders were encouraged by experts to demonstrate more empathy, compassion and humaneness, leadership behaviour has been constantly scrutinized. My research, however, challenges the notion that these traits make someone a better manager. These attributes can be interpreted differently by different people, and this can lead to different expectations. Authenticity is […]
Crafting Culture – How to create success and value
Laura Bunn explores company culture at roadchef and the role of HR in ensuring it meets the needs of business. A strong company culture is a game changer for any organization. It is the invisible force which shapes how people interact, work together to solve problems and feel when they come to work. Too often, […]