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Steve Foster Opinion Column - Part 1
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In this section on transform-hr.com, Business Consultancy Manager Steve Foster discusses the role of HR in business transformation. In part one of the discussion, he looks at the current role and impact of HR.
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Legal Eagle
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Legal Eagle is our summary of upcoming legislation which will impact your business. In order for you to remain informed, Legal Eagle will summarise the legislation to help keep you a step ahead.
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Dismissals - Employee Rights after one year's service
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If an employee has achieved one year’s continuous service, they are eligible under the Employment Rights Act (ERA) 1996 to bring a claim for unfair dismissal if they believe that their treatment has been unfair.
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‘To Outsource or Not to Outsource. That is the Question?'
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Choosing to outsource a core business process is a complicated but important decision for any business. The first hurdle or barrier for many companies is the realisation that changes need to be made in their current service requirements. For many, the decision to remain competitive and reduce costs drives the initial research. Alternative approaches, such as hiring or transferring staff, can provide temporary solutions, but the need to have experienced staff and experts means outsourcing is a growing trend.
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Flexible Benefits: HR Headache or Heavenly Idea?
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The idea of one benefits model for all should not really exist. Employees have widely differing benefits needs. So why don’t all employers offer a choice of benefits to their employees? Because in the past flexible benefits have meant a lot of hard work and unnecessary administration. New technology means companies can revisit the concept.
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Finding Harmony in Pay
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Across all sectors, whether manufacturing, engineering or business services, the drive to harmonise pay is growing. Sometimes this approach is necessary to emphasise that workers are part of the same organisation and are sharing the same goals. Sometimes this is a response to legislation.
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e-Recruitment: Is it Delivering?
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UK organisations are increasingly turning to e-recruitment as a way of attracting, managing and communicating with potential employees. e-Recruitment can improve corporate image and profile and reduce costs and administration. But whilst it offers better tools for recruitment teams, it is not without its challenges.
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Government Toughens Up National Minimum Wage Law
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The DTI has announced new regulations to toughen up the enforcement of the National Minimum Wage (NMW). The new rules that came into force on 8th July 2003 will ensure that workers can claim arrears for past as well as current employment.
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Deficiency Notices
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The first tranche of letters under a pilot scheme has been sent out to approximately 5000 people informing them about the gaps in their National Insurance Contributions between 6th April 1996 and 5th April 2002. These are the famous Deficiency Notices that were widely covered in the press earlier this year when it was revealed that they had not been issued since 1996 because of problems with NIRS2.
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New Plans to Force Employers to Consult with Employees
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Earlier this year, the DTI announced the Government plans for improved information and consultation in the workplace. The Government has agreed a framework for implementing a European Directive on employment law with both the CBI and TUC.
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Of Outsourcing
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This series will be a regular feature that provides top tips and advice on how to approach a business issue in the most effective way.
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CIPD Annual Conference and Exhibition
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The CIPD annual conference and exhibition will be taking place on the 22 – 24 October in Harrogate .
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CIPD carries out survey on Training and Development needs in the UK
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In a recent survey carried out by the CIPD, it was revealed that over 40% of managers feel they need more training, but that time pressure and other constraints hindered this occurring. The survey is conducted annually, using 500 managers from a variety of sectors and shows the changing requirements and understanding of training and management needs.
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Training is Not Enough to Fulfill Employee Development Needs states CIPD
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In order to increase productivity and improve the motivation of employees, firms need to understand that developing staff means more than just sending them on training courses.
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Steve Foster Opinion Column - Part 2
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In the first article in this series (Oct 2003), we looked at some of the pressures on the HR function and the drivers for transformation. We now turn our attention to ways in which this transformation can be achieved. Our starting point is to define a vision for the HR function; for ease, we will use the model defined by David Ulrich, perhaps the best known management guru in the HR world, who identified four key roles for HR.
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12 Days ‘Til Xmas
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We are coming up to that time of year again when most people will be attending a Christmas function of some description either in the office, at an organised event or even just down at the local pub but beware, high Christmas spirit can cause problems for employers and land you in trouble if you don’t take steps to prevent it.
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Legal Eagle
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Forthcoming legislation that could affect you and your company.
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Entry Clearance for Work Permit Holders
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From 13 November 2003 changes to the Immigration rules will be phased in over two years. The new rules have been brought into force to minimise the abuse of the immigration and work permits scheme and to reduce the chances for forgery.
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Employment Equality Regulations 2003
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There are two new sets of regulations outlawing discrimination in all aspects of employment and vocational training on the grounds of religion or belief and sexual orientation.
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Is Self-Service a Viable Model for HR Departments?
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Self-Service is set to transform how employees deal with their personal administration at work. It is beginning to develop in the same way that online banking has changed people’s relationships with banks. Both approaches have led to significant financial gain for organisations involved and changes to everyday tasks that provide more convenience and control for people in general.
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The Big Internet Recruitment Question – Maire Kerr
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Are impressive websites and online application forms any good? Do they find the right people more quickly and cheaply? The latest study by the Institute for Employment Studies suggests that getting the most out of an Internet-based system requires considerable commitment, both financially and culturally.
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Monitoring Progress Towards Pay Equality N
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This research report was conducted for the Equal Opportunities Commission. The report examines the extent of gender equality in the pay structures and practices of larger organisations. It focuses in particular on equal pay review.
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Effective Rehabilitation after Work-Related Stress
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Work related stress is a perennial concern for employers and employees. Health and Safety Executive (HSE) figures show that over the last six years figures have almost doubled. Stress accounted for 13.4 million work days lost each year, and over half a million people said they were affected by stress at work.
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Monitoring Progress Towards Pay Equality
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This research report was conducted for the Equal Opportunities Commission. The report examines the extent of gender equality in the pay structures and practices of larger organisations, and it focuses in particular on equal pay review.
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Is ECOS the answer to the company car dilemma?
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The company car is a prominent feature of the executive reward package. The 2003 Company Car Survey conducted by Monks Partnership indicates that a car features in the reward package of the majority of senior managers, regardless of the size and type of company.
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Pensions for “inpats”
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When you are looking at individuals being assigned to the UK, one key concern may involve what will happen to their pension plan participation during the assignment and how this will affect their tax position in the home and hosted countries.
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Of Introducing e-HR
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This series is a regular feature that provides top tips and advice on how to approach a business issue in the most effective way.
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CIPD welcomes Government Taskforce Report on Human Capital
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The CIPD welcomes the government to endorse the recommendations set out in the Accounting for People report. The CIPD would favour the government to follow the recommendations for companies to report on their approach to human capital management. However, it should not adopt a prescriptive set of measures but be a flexible and evolutionary approach based on “general principles to guide decisions”.
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Survey reveals HR function is changing shape: from fire-fighter to strategic
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A survey of 1,180 HR professionals shows that the HR function is changing. The survey presents a picture of a function with a clear sense of direction, confident of its role and committed to demonstrating its contribution to the business. It is clear the number of HR professionals is growing and its shape is changing.
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Steve Foster Opinion Column - Part 3
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In previous issues we have examined the contribution that technology can make to reducing HR costs and improving efficiencies. Our conclusion was that technology can add tremendous value to the HR function by streamlining administration processes, generating operational savings such as reduced headcount and delivering substantial improvements in service quality. However, there are also several strategic benefits arising from the use of technology. In this edition, we will focus on how technology can support a transition to a more strategic HR function.
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New Year Recruitment by Michelle Guina
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For many employers December is a quiet time for recruitment, potential candidates are not applying for roles and it can be difficult to recruit. January sees people making New Year resolutions for all sorts of reasons and this may include finding a new job so now may be the best time to start recruiting again.
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10 Steps to Preventing Stress in the Workplace
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Managing sickness absence is always difficult for managers. Arranging cover for absent employees, ensuring that the work continues to be done and keeping up morale in the office when the pressure is on is hard enough but how do you cope when the absence is down to stress? Would you recognise the signs of stress and if so, how would you tackle it? What if the stress was caused by the working environment or culture of the company?
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Legal Eagle
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Here is a summary of forthcoming legislation that could affect you and your company.
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Flexible Benefits: adopting the model
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Recent interest in flexible benefits, which allows employees to create their own benefits packages and advances technology offers to implement them, has encouraged organisations to view it as an appropriate method to retain, attract and motivate their best employees. The flexible benefits model continues to be adopted by UK employers to strengthen their employment packages for employees.
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Flexible Benefits: the challenges
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The benefits of flexible benefits (‘flex’ schemes) are well documented and have been trumpeted by HR and financial specialists for the last few years.
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Flexible Working Reveal Gender Differences
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The government’s latest Labour Force Survey has been analysed by the Institute for Employment Studies to reveal home-based teleworking is popular by mothers. Teleworking brings greater flexibility for parents of young children. Yet, this way of working is shunned by fathers.
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Progressing Pay Equality
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In a recent study, research was carried out to examine the extent of gender equality in pay structures and practices of larger organisations. One of the key priority issues for the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) over the past couple of years has been equal pay. Campaigns such as Valuing Women and Just Pay and Equal Pay Kits have been developed as part of the Equal Pay Task Force recommendations. The EOC commissioned the Institute for Employment Studies to re-examine organisational pay structures using 251 medium and large-sized companies of 100 or more staff.
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Teleworkers: Expenses and benefits for employees
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Increasing numbers of employees are working wholly or partly at home. Around one million employees work mainly at home. The number of employees working at home is increasing by around 13 per cent a year.
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Clearing the fog around statutory payments
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Both the introduction of statutory adoption pay (SAP) and statutory paternity pay (SPP) and the implementation of changes to statutory maternity pay (SMP) have made payroll procedures much more complicated.
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Flexible Benefits
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This series is a regular feature that provides top tips and advice on how to approach a business issue in the most effective way.
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CIPD survey shows lowest rate of labour turnover in four years
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A recent CIPD Turnover survey shows that labour turnover for all employees stands at 16.1% in 2002.
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CIPD report underlines challenges and opportunities for employers on employee information and consultation
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People management experts at the CIPD have launched a case-study based report aimed at helping HR professionals ensure that their organisations comply with regulations implementing the EC Information and Consultation Directive.
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Steve Foster Opinion Column - Part 5
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KPIs and ACCOUNTING FOR PEOPLE
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Immigration (Restrictions on Employment) Order 2004
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The Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 came into force on 27th January 1997 making it a criminal offence for any employer to employ someone whose immigration status prevents them from working in the United Kingdom (UK).
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Legal Eagle
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Legal Eagle is our summary of upcoming legislation which will impact your business. In order for you to remain informed, Legal Eagle will summarise the legislation to help keep you a step ahead.
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Key performance indicators: helping HR grow busine
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When senior management teams consider the core strengths of the organisation, they often focus on manufacturing, sales, distribution and/or customer service.
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Monitoring the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)
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This article looks at the findings of the research study undertaken by the Institute for Employment Studies on behalf of the Disability Rights Commission in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions and the Equality Commission.
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Managers as Developers of Others
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This article is based on IES research which observed the characteristics, methods and support used by managers to help the development of their employees.
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Appealing against electronic payment default notices & Class 1a date
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The first deadline for mandatory epayment of monthly remittances to the Revenue is just around the corner for large employers i.e. those with over 250 employees in a single PAYE scheme.
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Refunds of Class 3 National Insurance contribution
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Between April and September this year the Inland Revenue will be making repayments of part of the voluntary Class 3 contributions that have been paid for the tax years 1996-97- 2001-02.
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of Key Performance Indicators
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This series is a regular feature that provides top tips and advice on how to approach a business issue in the most effective way.
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Government should extend flexible working rights to all
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The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, one of the UK's leading research organisations on work-life balance issues, urges the Government to consider extending the right to all workers when it reviews the legislation three years after its introduction.
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Budgeting for Training
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The findings of the CIPD's Training and Development 2004 survey reveal 2003 was a better year for training managers in the private sector than in the public sector.
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Steve Foster Opinion Column - Part 6
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Transforming HR: Getting the timing right
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Statutory Maternity Pay Calculations
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A pregnant employee is entitled to up to 26 weeks leave, known as Ordinary Maternity Leave (OML), regardless of the length of service.
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Changes to the National Minimum Wage (NMW)
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From 1st October 2004 the main Adult Rate of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) will increase from £4.50 per hour to £4.85 per hour.
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Fair Piece Rates for Output and Home Workers
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From October 2004 employers will have to pay their output workers, or home workers, the national minimum wage for every hour they work or, in effect, "a fair piece rate".
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Legal Eagle
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Legal Eagle is our summary of upcoming legislation which will impact your business. In order for you to remain informed, Legal Eagle will summarise the legislation to help keep you a step ahead.
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Knowing what you want from your supplier
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Technology is changing the face of HR and that the wish list for the perfect supplier is growing. So what are the key criteria for choosing a supplier?
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Achieving buy-in.
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This series is a regular feature that provides top tips and advice on how to approach a business issue in the most effective way.
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Is HR getting the best out of IT?
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CIPD report that HR information systems are key to improving the efficiency of HR administration. But are the IT systems in UK businesses pulling their weight, and how can HR departments make the most of their investments?
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Steve Foster Opinion Column - Part 7
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As we have explored in previous editions, the Human Resources (HR) function is under a great deal of pressure to perform - internally, there is pressure from management to add value to the organisation and do 'more with less'.
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12 Days till Xmas
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We are coming up to that time of year again when most people will be attending a Christmas function of some description either in the office, at an organised event or even just down at the local pub but beware, high Christmas spirit can cause problems for employers and land you in trouble if you don't take steps to prevent it.
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Information and Consultations Rules
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The UK is implementing this directive through the ICE regulations.
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Employment Tribunal Changes
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On 1st October 2004 the Employment Tribunals (Constitution and Rules of Procedure) Regulations 2004 came into effect.
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Annual Employment Tribunal Compensation Increases
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As of 1 February 2005 the Employment Rights (Increase of Limits) Order 2004 has increased the limits on provisions that could be made to individuals in an Employment Tribunal.
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Legal Eagle
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Legal Eagle is our summary of upcoming legislation which will impact your business. In order for you to remain informed, Legal Eagle will summarise the legislation to help keep you a step ahead.
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Compulsory Systems for Resolving Disput
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The Employment Act 2002 introduces a new compulsory system for resolving disputes in the workplace.
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The arguments for HR Outsourcing
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The traditional reason companies outsourced HR was to reduce costs - either avoidance of the set-up costs for a new HR department or reducing the cost of an internal department. Now, the drivers are more sophisticated and the benefits are more substantial.
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Debt Arrangement Schemes are Unlucky Thirteen for Employers
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On the 30th November new regulations came into effect in Scotland that introduce a new type of pseudo court order.
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Local Income to be Introduced in Scotland
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On 11 November 2004, a Bill was introduced for an Act of the Scottish Parliament to abolish council tax.
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Alabaster ruling now set in stone
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From April 2005 a woman will be entitled to have her average earnings for SMP.
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Steve Foster Opinion Column - Part 8
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Organisations can sometimes feel that they have not achieved the planned benefits from their investment in technology. While it is easy to point the finger at technology, more often than not, it is not software which is the problem but the way in which it has been implemented.
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Age Discrimination - 2006
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On the 1st October 2006 the UK will see the implementation of one of the most significant pieces of anti-discrimination legislation...
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European Works Councils
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The EU Directive on European Works Councils is probably the most important legislative initiative.
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Legal Eagle
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Redundancy Consultation
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Consultation in general is a mechanism for providing employees with information and a voice on key matters that affect their employment.
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Changes in Government Statutory Allowances
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From April 2005 the standard rates of Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP), Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP) and Statutory Adoption Pay (SAP) have been increased and the new rates will be...
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Alabaster Rules
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Confusion on effective dates.
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Childcare Tax Relief
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Remember that to qualify for the new Childcare tax/NICs relief childcare must be registered or approved.
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Phasing out of Payment Via Employers of Working Tax
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Following the announcement in the Budget on phasing o | | | |
