If you cast your memory back several years, you’ll remember employee engagement and culture was merely considered a popular topic for HR professionals to debate. Fast forward to the present day, culture and engagement are now presented as a key business issue, with many believing it has recently dominated the HR trend list. In fact, Deloitte Insights found that 87% of organisations cite culture and engagement as one of their top challenges, with 50% of respondents calling the problem “very important”. While improving employee engagement can help…
In an extraordinary turn of events, Labour has stormed ahead in the 2024 UK General Election, marking the most significant shift in the country's political landscape since the Conservatives were elected 14 years ago. As businesses prepare for the changes ahead, it’s crucial for payroll professionals to understand what Labour’s proposed reforms mean for the industry. Let’s dive into Labour's manifesto and explore how these changes impact your payroll processes. A genuine living wage The introduction of a genuine living wage in the UK represents…
Current work trends in the UK suggest that there is more focus than ever being given to the subject of remote working, with more organisations wanting a move back into the office, we discuss some advantages and disadvantages of remote working in 2024 and beyond! Is remote working still effective for UK organisations? Before the pandemic, remote and hybrid working had been gradually increasing in the UK. Between January and December 2019, around 12% of the workforce had worked at least one day from home…
Keeping good Health & Safety records is essential for legal compliance. But which records should you keep, and for how long? Certain records must be kept to comply with the company’s Health & Safety policy and specific legislation. Keeping good health and safety records is important for several reasons: Retrievability: Ensures key information is easily accessible and can be passed on, ensuring consistency and continuity. Compliance: Demonstrates (internally and externally) compliance with legal duties under health and safety law. Efficiency: Makes the job of Health…
Ahead of the general election in July 2024, get ready for what’s in their manifesto and how that will impact HR. This article was created before the election result on 4 July 2024. To read our more recent content on this topic, read what does the Labour victory mean for payroll here, and employment law changes following the King's Speech here. You can also access our Payroll Legislation Guide and Employment Law Guide for regular updates. If the polls are correct and the Labour Party…
The first 90 days in leadership is your opportunity to lay the groundwork for lasting impact, establish your credibility, and align your vision with your organisation’s goals. Taking on an HR leadership position is a significant milestone in your career. While the urge to jump in and make immediate changes can be strong, it’s essential to take a measured approach. Your initial days should focus on understanding the organisation, building relationships, and identifying ‘quick wins’ that can set the stage for long-term success. This blog…
You’ve reached this article because you know your compensation strategy is directly linked to business success. Long gone are the times where a simple and fair pay packet was all you needed to keep your employees happy and, crucially, working for your company. To stay competitive you need to offer an equitable, transparent compensation package to attract and retain your top talent - your compensation strategy. In this article we’ll go through why it’s important, types of compensation you can offer, and how to create…
Unfortunately, there are more people battling with alcohol issues than many of us realise, this can affect us personally and professionally. According to the CIPD, over a quarter of people said their alcohol consumption has increased as a result of the COVID-19. As a manager, it's a difficult and problematic time when you suspect an employee could have an alcohol problem and you will most likely have a swarm of questions running through your mind. For example, when does the habit of drinking alcohol become…
You've been tasked with reviewing your organisation’s employee benefits package and benchmarking it externally to see how you compare against the market. If you're new to this process, it might seem a bit daunting. In this article, we share some ideas on how to gather external data for benefits benchmarking. What is benefits benchmarking? Benchmarking allows you to regularly review your benefits, ensuring they stay competitive, appealing to employees, and compliant with relevant laws and regulations. 1. Existing network A good place to start is by asking…
Unlocking the full potential of payroll data is more than just a backend function; it can revolutionise your business. As companies aim to enhance efficiency and employee satisfaction, the significance of payroll data has grown tremendously. This is particularly evident in the Payroll Statistics Report 2024 by the CIPP. We’ve reviewed the report and are eager to share our key findings and discuss how you can utilise this data to drive growth and support your workforce. Harnessing the power of payroll data The CIPP Payroll…
