Author: Scott Dylan

Recent research highlights the growing concern among SMEs regarding staff absence impacts.A significant 68% of SMEs fear revenue and productivity dips from prolonged employee absences.Only 30% of SME owners have a strategy to mitigate sickness-related absences.There’s hesitance among SME owners to invest in absence management systems.Industry specialists stress the financial and operational risks of ignoring absence management.Joint research from Mind and the Federation of Small Businesses reveals a paradox in small enterprises: while they often enjoy good staff relations and lower-than-average sickness absence rates, they remain inadequately prepared to handle such absences. For smaller firms, each employee’s role becomes crucial,…

Rachel Davison, Turnitin’s HR Manager, has been recognised for her exceptional contribution to the company.Davison received the highest number of nominations, reflecting her impact on team dynamics and employee satisfaction.Her innovative approach seeks to dismantle traditional perceptions of HR, focusing on employee engagement and strategic integration.Rachel’s success is bolstered by her commitment to professional development, including her pursuit of an advanced qualification in employment law.She has played a crucial role in expanding Turnitin’s workforce, doubling its size since her arrival in 2013.Rachel Davison has transformed the HR landscape at Turnitin, earning the accolade of HR Manager of the Month due…

Employers are facing increasing pressure to support employees with caring responsibilities, which are more common than often acknowledged.Research indicates significant gaps in employer support for carers, impacting millions in the UK workforce.An ageing population and pension changes are increasing the need for workplace flexibility for carers.Carers experience detrimental effects on health and job security without adequate support.Flexible working offers potential benefits but uptake and awareness are still inadequate.Employers are increasingly called upon to recognise and support the vast number of employees juggling work and caring responsibilities. Research from the Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion (enei) and My Family Care…

HSBC has announced significant job cuts as part of a strategic global reorganisation, affecting 8,000 positions in the UK.The banking giant plans to close numerous branches in the UK, contributing to a worldwide job reduction of 25,000.HSBC will focus more on Asian markets, potentially relocating its headquarters to Hong Kong.Job cuts include IT roles, as the bank nearly doubles its use of software engineering in China and India.Despite cost-saving measures, concerns arise over the handling of redundancies, especially from employee unions.In an unexpected move, HSBC revealed plans to significantly reduce its workforce by 25,000 positions globally, with 8,000 of these…

Recent data reveals a significant increase in the number of Romanians and Bulgarians working in the UK, following the EU’s free-movement rule changes.The number of Romanians accessing British jobs has surged by 223% in just one year.Over 40,000 Bulgarians have registered for National Insurance numbers, up from 17,000 in 2014.Concerns mount in Britain over the allocation of jobs to Romanian and Bulgarian workers, sparking public and political debate.Employers face challenges with employment verification amid rising economic migration.The implementation of the EU’s free-movement rule has led to a notable rise in economic migration to the UK, particularly among Romanians and Bulgarians.…

Grant Thornton’s expansion in Belfast brings 71 new jobs to the city, marking a significant development for the local economy.The announcement was made at the opening of Grant Thornton’s new offices, with Enterprise Minister Jonathan Bell emphasising its strategic importance.Invest NI’s £202,000 employment grant played a crucial role in securing these jobs for Belfast.New positions span various functions, offering opportunities for individuals with differing experience levels.This expansion is part of a broader growth strategy for Grant Thornton’s services in Northern Ireland.Grant Thornton’s decision to expand in Belfast is set to invigorate the local job market with the creation of 71…

A BITC report sponsored by RIAS suggests integrating mature workers to cut sickness absence costs.The report highlights significant attitude differences towards sickness absence across age groups.44% of 20-39 year olds admit taking ‘sickies’, while only 12% of over 50s do the same.Older workers, despite age-related health risks, take notably less sick leave than younger colleagues.Employing mature workers can also address impending recruitment challenges due to demographic shifts.A recent BITC report, supported by RIAS, proposes that businesses aiming to reduce the financial burden of sickness absence should consider incorporating workers aged over 50 into their workforce strategies. The report draws attention…

The recent election results serve as a stark reminder of the consequences faced by organisations when trust is broken.The Liberal Democrats faced substantial losses for failing to uphold their tuition fee promise made before the 2010 Election.Breaking promises has not been uncommon in politics; however, the Lib Dems were severely penalised due to the strong belief in their commitment.There is a lesson for businesses and leaders everywhere: promises must be kept if trust is to be maintained.Well-known examples such as Apple and Hoover further underscore the importance and repercussions of unfulfilled promises.The Liberal Democrats suffered significant setbacks in the recent…

Recent data reveals a significant rise in sickness absence among West Mercia Police staff, primarily driven by stress-related issues.Sickness days have surged from 25,000 in 2010 to nearly 40,000 in 2014, marking a 60% increase.Stress, depression, and other mental health issues have more than doubled, exacerbating workloads for remaining staff.The force acknowledges the trend, implementing measures to support officer welfare and manage absences effectively.Calls for further research into stress-related absences highlight concerns over future service impact.In a disturbing trend, West Mercia Police has reported a substantial increase in sickness absences among its workforce over the past five years. Sickness days…

Gwilym Hughes has been appointed as the new HR Manager for Jehu Group, bringing over two decades of experience to the role.Mr Hughes hails from Mumbles in Swansea and has spent the last 13 years in the automotive manufacturing sector.He aims to introduce new HR programmes and initiatives, including an employee engagement survey, at Jehu Group.The company continues to grow, now employing 110 staff and working with notable brands such as JD Wetherspoon and Morrisons.Jehu Group has recently secured a £5.6 million project to construct a 60-bed care home for Grwp Gwalia.Gwilym Hughes, from Mumbles in Swansea, has been appointed…