Operational Efficiency

Liberal Democrats’ manifesto: What HR needs to know

The Lib Dems have released their manifesto, ahead of the general election, highlighting gig workers’ rights, closing skills gaps, parental leave and sick pay.

BT chief who cut 55,000 jobs awarded £2.6m bonus

Former BT boss Philip Jansen has been awarded a £3.7 million pay package for the year 2023-2024, during which he announced 55,000 job cuts by 2030.

Rise in remote work tribunal cases “tip of the iceberg”

The rise in remote working-related tribunal cases over the next few years will represent the “tip of the iceberg” of conflicts sparked by remote work requests and return-to-office mandates, according...

Sunak’s visa plans will damage labour market, say experts

Prime minister Rishi Sunak has announced that the number of visas available to migrants would be reduced each year if the Conservatives win the election.

The cost of niceness 

On the surface, the word “nice” is seen as a positive, even in business. But what does it mean to have a “nice” workplace culture?

Repeatedly misnaming employee is race harassment, tribunal rules

A British Indian bathroom salesman was harassed by a sales director who referred to him by the wrong name four times, a tribunal has ruled.

How to build a 21st-century talent acquisition function

Traditionally, talent acquisition (TA) was relegated to a purely administrative role. Today, in a landscape where exceptional talent is crucial for sustained business success, establishing a TA...

Flexible working: What does the law change mean for HR?

In early 2024, it might have seemed like all HR headlines were about the incoming Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act 2023, which is better known as the flexible working law.

Avoid the rehire trap

Elon Musk's recent actions at Tesla have sparked a heated debate around the practice of mass layoffs followed by rehiring former employees.

Age UK fined £4,000 for age harassment

A representative of Age UK harassed a job applicant on the basis of age, a tribunal has found.

Legal ease: What HR needs to know about belief-based discrimination

When balancing the desire to protect staff from offensive comments with employees’ rights to express their beliefs, employers should consider the findings of these key cases.

Samsung union announces first strike over pay

The union representing Samsung Electronics in South Korea announced its first ever strike yesterday (29 May), amid a continuing pay dispute.