HR headlines from the UK

Fit for Work scheme a ‘wasted investment’

A survey carried out by GP magazine on behalf of People Management discovered two-thirds of doctors did not refer anybody under the programme last year. Meanwhile, figures from manufacturers’ organisation EEF found that only a quarter of employers who were aware of the scheme, designed to reduce the strain on the NHS by getting individuals back to work earlier, would use it.

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Leave for new dads should be ringfenced, says government watchdog

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) recommended men should be given a ‘use it or lose it’ right to leave to look after their newborn children, while all jobs should be offered as flexible to open up more opportunities to women and disabled workers. EHRC believes measure such as these could help to reduce pay gaps.

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Generation Z ‘more motivated by teamwork than the average worker’

A survey by telecomms company Vodafone discovered workplace teams mattered to 74 per cent of generation Z employees – typically regarded as those born after 1995 – compared with an average of 64 per cent across all workers surveyed. On the other hand, just 56 per cent of generation Z felt flexible working made them more productive, compared with 71 per cent of workers overall.

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Third of businesses plan to hire more HR professionals

Recruitment company Robert Walters also found 43 per cent of businesses felt growth in their business was driving their hiring strategies. However, Laura Harrison, strategy and transformation director at the CIPD, noted the changing economic and political landscape could also be increasing the demand for skilled HR professionals.

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Concerns raised over future of 73,000 trainees following damning Learndirect report

The UK’s largest provider of adult training and apprenticeships was deemed ‘inadequate’ in a report by education watchdog Ofsted. The Department for Education also announced it would be withdrawing funding, but said it would only do so after its current contract ends in July 2018, as opposed to the usual three month notice period it gives other training providers.

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