HR headlines from the UK

Hiding bad news can demotivate staff

Researchers at Warwick Business School have found that withholding important information from employees is demotivating, regardless of whether it is good or bad. The study also suggested that the quality and honesty of internal communication could be a crucial factor in engagement. Howard Sloane, managing partner at Teslo HR, urged those with responsibility for delivering news to employees to consider “what you are going to say, in what format, how often and how it’ll be delivered”.

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HR fears Brexit will hit younger workers hard

A poll of 800 HR decision-makers, carried out by YouGov, found that half (49 per cent) think Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union will negatively affect workers aged between 18 and 30 in the short term, while 46 per cent also think it will have a negative impact in the longer term. Experts suggested that much more needs to be done to improve young people’s prospects.

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Mental ill-health costing employers £42bn a year

The Stevenson/Farmer review, published last week, revealed mental ill-health is costing employers as much as £42bn a year, and the wider UK economy up to £99bn. However, businesses investing in supporting mental health at work were likely to make their money back and more – for every £1 spent, the report suggested a return of up to £9 could be generated.

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Treasury hints IR35 will be extended into the private sector

The Treasury has strongly hinted that IR35 rules, governing how freelancers and contractors are taxed, could be extended to the private sector in the near future. The reformed rules, which came into effect on 6 April, currently mean public sector employers are required to deduct tax and national insurance contributions from contractors’ pay at source, rather than allowing them to defer and claim expenses.

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Government told EU migrants are ‘job creators’ not ‘job takers’

An open approach to EU immigration has helped create jobs, rather than take them away, and is critical for the UK to thrive post-Brexit, experts have warned the government’s Migration Advisory Committee (MAC). MAC was commissioned to carry out a review into EEA migration to the UK in July, with organisations encouraged to submit evidence. In papers shared with People Management, both the Institute of Directors and the CIPD urged the government to avoid any post-Brexit immigration policies that would cut the flow of immigration to universities, businesses and the public sector.

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Politicians need HR – and quickly

The UK’s news agenda has been dominated by allegations of sexual harassment and other forms of highly offensive behaviour, made against a range of MPs from all political parties. And this week, prime minister Theresa May acknowledged stronger HR was part of the solution, as she brought in new procedures for staff employed at Westminster and promised direct access to HR professionals for anyone with a grievance.

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Men have a critical role in driving gender diversity

Boston Consulting Group has found that men, particularly younger men, are key to improve gender diversity in their workplaces. Its recent report How Millennial Men Can Help Break the Glass Ceiling, revealed that 96 per cent of companies in which men were actively involved in pushing forward gender diversity reported progress being made. By comparison, at companies where men were not involved with such endeavours, just 30 per cent showed progress.

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Workplace pressure results in time off for fifth of workers

A fifth (20 per cent) of UK employees have taken time off work because they felt too pressured, according to a study by the Chartered Accountants’ Benevolent Association. A further 18 per cent of the 2,000 employees surveyed said they cried at least once every fortnight because of their job. More than a third (34 per cent) said they didn’t like their job, citing problems such as not being paid enough (9 per cent) and a lack of development opportunities (8 per cent).

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Half of employees witness unethical behaviour at work

A poll by Blueprint for Better Business has discovered that only 2 per cent of UK professionals would definitely refuse to take part in something that made them feel uncomfortable at work, while almost half (48 per cent) would voice their concerns but go ahead with the activity regardless, highlighting some worrying traits in business life.

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Quarter of workers receive no training

One in four UK employees do not receive any training opportunities at work, according to research by the Trades Union Congress. A poll of more than 3,000 working adults found that 24 per cent had never taken part in formal learning, with only 33 per cent benefiting from the opportunity for regular training.

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