HR News February 2010

Our February edition of HR News takes a look at staff absences during harsh weather, and with the threat of more bad weather to come, business groups across the UK are urging organisations to be more flexible with their employees if they are unable to reach their place of work. It has not only been a long winter, but we have also been in the grips of a long recession. Whilst this is now officially over, the CIPD has warned of the long term after-effects on the workplace and in particular staff morale. We also look at some latest news only announced a short while ago that health questionnaires prior to employment could become illegal.

Business groups urge organisations to be flexible

As the UK experienced one of its coldest snaps for years, and with the possible threat of more bad weather to come, employers have been encouraged to be more aware of staff needs and to allow them greater flexibility over working hours.

When schools close, working parents are often left with caring problems; train cancellations can lead to staff being unable to get into work and poor driving conditions are all factors which can lead to staff not being able to attend work in severe weather conditions.

The CIPD has said that employers must make it clear to employees that they should not risk their life to get into work and also be understanding if employees have to leave early to guarantee getting home safely. They have urged employers, if possible, to consider home working as an option, or grant special leave or allow staff to take annual leave.

Staff absenteeism due to snow could reach at least £230m this winter. However the Trades Union Congress has warned employers against withholding pay or forcing staff to take holiday if they miss work because of the snow. Employers who dock pay and take away holiday are needlessly adding to their business woes by creating resentment among staff. Workers who have been prevented from getting to work despite their best efforts should not have to foot the bill for the bad weather conditions.

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Equality Bill to ban pre-employment health questionnaires

Pre-employment health questionnaires will become illegal under new proposals outlined in the Equity Bill

The House of Lords introduced a groundbreaking clause that for the first time will see the prohibition of healthcare screening before candidates are offered a job.

Until now, employers have been able to ask job applicants whether they have a disability, are taking medication or have a medical condition.

Mental health charities and trusts supporting those with medical conditions applauded the move. They claim that employer discrimination and prejudice against candidates with a medical condition "is a real problem", which prevents people from applying for jobs.

UK organisations wasting an estimated £9.5 million on wrong training

In a recent survey conducted by Knowledge Pool, it was estimated that a staggering £9.5 million is being spent on training that fails to yield improvements in performance.

The study highlighted four key reasons why learners were unable to convert their learning into improvements in the workplace: Lack of support from their line managers; they attended the wrong course and was ill-suited to their needs; they attended courses when they knew it was 'bad timing' due to work commitments and they forgot what they had learnt before they could apply it.

Organisations should actively encourage line managers to work with their staff to ensure training is properly targeted, and to help support learners apply what they have learnt on the training course. There is a definite correlation between the transfer of learning to the workplace, a staggering 94% success rate, when learners received targeted training and support from HR and their line managers.

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CIPD warns of 'recession hangover'

With the UK officially out of recession, bringing to an end one of the worst downturns in living memory, The CIPD has warned of the long term effects on the workplace and in particular staff morale.

A survey carried out by the CIPD found that job satisfaction levels had hit an all time low. Nearly a third of interviewees said their living standards had deteriorated in the last six months, with the majority of workers feeling bruised by the recession.

The majority of interviewees thought it would be difficult to find another job, and also had a lack of trust in the workplace. Employers are having to work hard to rebuild motivation and commitment amongst its employees who are worried about job security, lack of consultation over change, pay freezes and possible changes to contracts.

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