FTSE companies urged to appoint more women on boards
The companies that make up the FTSE 100 index are on track to reach the target of more than 30% female representation on boards by 2020, figures released in the Hampton-Alexander Review’s 2018 report revealed.
However, almost one in four FTSE 350 firms have only appointed one woman to their boards, while five FTSE 350 companies still have all-male boards. This comes two years after the government ordered the UK’s 350 biggest firms to reach the 30% target by 2020. Denise Wilson, chief executive of the Hampton-Alexander Review, said the 75 companies that have just one woman on their boards are making a “tokenistic” gesture.
Government announces gig economy reforms
Government proposals leaked by The Guardian revealed plans to implement several recommendations from last year's Taylor Review. The new proposals included providing clarity over what constitutes 'worker status', giving gig workers the right to request a fixed-hours contract after 12 months, offering notice periods and compensation for cancelled shifts, and naming and shaming employers who fail to pay out following employment tribunals.
Frances O'Grady, general secretary of the TUC, said that these plans are inadequate to improve rights for gig workers, however. “If the reports are true the government has taken one step forward and two steps back... these plans appear to do little to help zero-hours workers and those trapped in sham self-employment," she said.
The best bits of HR magazine in November...
Defining OD: What is it and is HR doing enough?
Confusion abounds about what organisational development is, who should be doing it, and why. Our November cover piece unpacks this discipline and explores why it's more important than ever for HR to skill up in this area.
The rise of performance-enhancing drugs
We look at the rise of microdosing and use of 'smart drugs' in the workplace, and what the trend says about organisational cultures.
Hiring refugees makes business as well as ethical sense
Refugees are a largely untapped source of talent, but legislation and workplace cultures pose barriers.
Can HR answer the Irish border question?
Northern Ireland has found itself the focal point of Brexit negotiations. But are HR teams in the region prepared for changes including complications for those 25,000 crossing the border to commute to work?