The bottom of the business cycle is never an easy time for corporations, but HR has a fight on its hands simply to justify its existence. Stefan Stern investigates

If HR systems are so crucial to corporate competitiveness why dont companies adopt more of them? Richard Donkin explains

Sabbaticals give employees a chance to widen their learning and experience. Employers benefit from the renewed energy and enthusiasm shown on return. Stefan Stern reports

If you want to be heard at board level, you have to think like a board member. Getting marked out as a rising star may mean putting your head above the parapet. Stephan Stern reports

The whole point of attending those part-work, part-social functions is to meet people who might be important to you. Steve Smethurst discovers how to make the most of them

The key to feeling calm in a meeting situation essentially comes down to confidence. And if you dont have the answers, dont be tempted to make them up. Laura Wilks reports

Steve Smethurst talks to Kathy Woodward, group HR and operations director of the award-winning Astron, about her passion for free-thinking HR and how her implementation of it has reaped dividends

HR managers have swallowed the management-speak pill but it hasnt helped their struggle for status, says Richard Donkin