Author: Scott Dylan

The significance of flexible workers in the UK’s workforce cannot be underestimated.Politicians often highlight the economic contributions of flexible workers, as reiterated by Sajid Javid.The UK’s flexible workforce, including freelancers and contractors, makes up 20% of the total workforce.The NAPF report brings attention to the inadequate reporting on workforce management in businesses.Many businesses remain unaware of the number of temporary workers they employ.The significance of flexible workers within the UK’s economy is frequently underscored by political figures. Sajid Javid, the Business Secretary, has made notable references to the value brought by these workers, affirming that economic recovery is driven not…

The NHS has reported its lowest sickness absence rate in five years, marking a significant improvement across the healthcare sector.Sickness absence has decreased from 15.52 days per year in 2012/13 to 14.82 days per year in 2013/14, the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) reveals.First responders in the ambulance service registered the highest average absence rate of 6.78%, while nurses and midwives reported only 1.1%.The North West of England recorded the highest regional sickness absence rate, contrasting with North Central and East London which had the lowest.An online tool designed to enhance absence management has played a part in…

Swansea Council has reported a significant increase in sickness absence, with stress identified as the leading cause.A total of 65,849 working days were lost due to sickness in the last financial year, marking a 13% increase from the previous year.The cost of these absences is estimated at £6 million, primarily driven by stress, hospitalisation, and back injuries.Unison highlights the impact of budget cuts and workload increases on employee stress levels.Efforts by the council to mitigate these absences include stress risk assessments, mandatory wellbeing training, and enhanced HR interventions.In a notable development, Swansea Council has announced a substantial rise in sickness…

In today’s fast-paced world, the shift to cloud-based HR systems is reshaping the industry.The widespread use of cloud technology is less daunting than it seems.Cloud-based applications provide seamless access anytime, anywhere.Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) is revolutionising business processes, especially in HR.The adoption of SaaS solutions is driven by cost-saving and efficiency.The widespread adoption of cloud-based technology across various demographics highlights its accessibility and utility. Despite initial concerns about the unfamiliar terminologies such as ‘cloud computing’ and ‘SaaS’, many individuals and businesses are already engaging with these technologies through daily applications like Twitter and Facebook. The concept of cloud-based software, which simply means…

Crafting a CV requires attention to key details to make the right impression.Including selfies on a CV should be avoided unless specifically requested for appearance-based roles.Spelling and grammatical errors suggest a lack of attention to detail and can harm professionalism.Personal references from family are not considered valid in professional settings.Creative designs should only be used in CVs if they genuinely showcase unique skills.When creating a CV, it is crucial to focus on elements that highlight your experience and professionalism. including selfies is generally inadvisable unless the role specifically requires it, such as modelling. Recent studies indicate that even attractive candidates…

In a landmark ruling, the Employment Appeal Tribunal determined that an employer’s request for an employee to wear a shorter traditional garment was justified on safety grounds.The tribunal emphasised that workplace safety takes precedence over religious dress practices, provided there is no outright prohibition on religious garments.Ms T Begum claimed discrimination when asked to wear a shorter jilbāb at a nursery job, citing it clashed with her beliefs.Despite these claims, the tribunal found the employer’s request reasonable, focusing on health and safety concerns for children and staff.The decision underscored that uniform policies are permissible if they apply equally across all…

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…