News Archive

Health, Work and Wellbeing 14 February 2008

Keeping abreast of new initiatives whilst managing a busy day job can be a daunting task. Inevitably we kick some of them into the long grass either because there is no time to give them greater consideration or simply because we think they will disappear over the horizon without having had any great impact.

A Walk On The Dark Side 14 February 2008

Over the past few years there has been an increased focus within organisations on making informed decisions about how to find and then hold on to talented people. This 'war for talent' is one that now dominates the thinking of HR professionals.

Good News for Companies using Agency Workers 11 February 2008

The Court of Appeal has confirmed the decision of the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) that an Employment Tribunal should only imply a contract of employment between an end user and an agency worker where this is necessary to reflect the business reality of the situation.

Expired Disciplinary Warning 11 February 2008

Taking into account an expired disciplinary warning when dismissing will not necessarily lead to a finding of unfair dismissal. This was the decision of the Court of Appeal in Airbus UK Limited v Webb.

Information and Consultation 11 February 2008

The thresholds for the purposes of the Information and Consultation of Employees Regulations 2004 and the Occupational Pension Schemes (Consultation by Employers) Regulations 2006 will fall to 50 employees on 6 April 2008.

No entitlement to sick pay during maternity leave 5 February 2008

In Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) v Sutcliffe, the EAT considered whether contractual sick pay amounted to remuneration and was not therefore payable when Sutcliffe fell sick during her maternity leave.

Stricter penalties for employing workers illegally and increased immigration checking requirements in place from 29 February 2008 5 February 2008

From 29 February 2008 the Home Office, through the new Border & Immigration Agency, will implement changes to the system for the prevention of illegal working in the UK. There is a nationwide marketing campaign underway highlighting the penalties for employers that break the rules.

Increase in Compensation Limits for 2008 5 February 2008

The Employment Rights (Increase of Limits) Order 2007 has recently been published. The main increases in compensation limits are as follows and will apply from 1 February 2008:

Holiday pay update - bad news for employers of long-term sick workers? 28 January 2008

The Advocate General, giving her opinion in Stringer and Others v HM Revenue & Customs (formerly Commissioners of Inland Revenue v Ainsworth and Others), has recommended that the ECJ hold that:

Entitlement to holiday during long-term sick leave 28 January 2008

If the ECJ follows the Advocate General's recommendations, all workers will accrue holiday during long-term sick leave, although they will not be able to actually take holiday (or be paid for it) while they are on sick leave.

Age Discrimination law is in disarray in the wake of a landmark employment tribunal case, legal experts have warned 25 January 2008

Personnel Today: A tribunal ruled that Kent-based law firm Clarkson Wright and Jakes (CWJ) did not discriminate against Leslie Seldon, a former senior partner, by forcing him to retire at the age of 65.

Employment e-brief: Preventing ex-employees from using company information 23 January 2008

It is often assumed that individuals who try to retain and use information from their former employer to provide themselves with an illegitimate springboard to set up a rival business will be acting in breach of their implied duties of confidentiality.

Age discrimination and uncertainty over retirement law 16 January 2008

The charity Age Concern has argued that UK age discrimination legislation contravenes European law by allowing employers to retire employees against their wishes.

Emotional Intelligence - but what about Emotional Engagement? 24 May 2007

The Hunt for Talent or Employee Engagement form part of new Management speak. Maureen Scholefield, Managing Director of Human Resource and Management Consultants Cullen Scholefield, knows how high levels of commitment and emotional engagement help her clients get the best out of her business.

CBI Reiterates Concerns on PPF Levy 24 May 2007

The CBI this week met with Chief Executive of the Pensions Protection Fund (PPF), Partha Dasgupta, to discuss continuing employer concerns around the cost of the PPF levy to business, which is now £675m.

Shaping up for the future - The business vision for education and skills 24 May 2007

Richard Lambert Director General CBI says in his forward that 'We need a highly skilled workforce in order to achieve the productive and prosperous UK we all desire.' He then warns that 'business will not continue to prosper in the twenty first century with the current levels of workforce skills.'

Gibbons Report 24 May 2007

On 7 December 2006 DTI Secretary of State Alistair Darling launched a root and branch review of Government support for resolving disputes in the workplace. He appointed Michael Gibbons to review the options for simplifying and improving all aspects of employment dispute resolution, to make the system work better for employers and employees.

Flexibility, learning and commitment – three keys to future success 1 November 2006

We opened our doors to help companies improve their skills and effectiveness through consultancy, qualifications and training services 20 years ago. Here, Managing Director, Maureen Scholefield, reflects on 20 years of change in the workplace – with three tips to help businesses keep on track for the next two decades.

DTI consults on Extending Paid Holiday Entitlement 1 September 2006

Women, Ethnic Minorities and Deprived Areas Fall Behind, Says CBI 1 September 2006

Repayment Clauses in Compromise Agreements 1 September 2006

House of Lords dismisses Rutherford appeal 1 September 2006

Being taken over by a U.S multi-national 'Good for your Pay Packet' 1 September 2006

'Whistle Blowing Important,' Says Business Ethics Charity 1 September 2006

Minimum Wage Increase Planned 1 September 2006

UK Wins Skills Olympics for 2011 1 September 2006

New Partnership with TUC and Investors in People 1 September 2006

Reporting for Duty... 1 September 2006

Successful PAC Candidate Frank Price reflects on life in HR in the Ministry of Defence, and how he coped with working towards CIPD Chartered Membership

Candidate Successes go Global 1 September 2006

Age Management in the Workplace 1 September 2006

This is a report of a survey conducted for Cullen Scholefield. It is an opinion and experience survey of the consultancy's clients, on the subject of age management. The subject is of interest currently for a number of reasons, including the imminence of the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations, which will come into force in the UK on 1st October 2006. Companies are therefore thinking about their policies on age issues, and it may be that some will want to do more than meet the basic requirements of legal compliance.

Manx Candidates Celebrate Success 6 April 2006

Sheltering from the Spring gales churning up the Irish Sea, the Sefton Hotel in Douglas, hosted the latest Cullen Scholefield candidates' award ceremony on 14th March. Restored Victorian elegance and an airy glass atrium extension festooned with palms, made an atmospheric setting to mark success after taxing assignments and course modules.

Ford's Diversity Roll-Out Cuts the Mustard 6 April 2006

Like its latest car ads, diversity Ford style comes with the élan of a V engine turbo easing through the gears. More modest onlookers are left gawping in wonder.

Online Video at ACAS 1 April 2006

Work and Families - new Regulations 1 April 2006

Giving Access to References 1 April 2006

Compensation for TUPE Consultation Failure 1 April 2006

Expired Warnings in Unfair Dismissal Cases 1 April 2006

Whistle blowing - 'Good Faith' Burden of Proof 1 April 2006

Variable Redundancy Multiplier to be Retained 1 April 2006

Minimum Wage Enforcement Finds Defaulters 1 February 2006

First Estimates Of The Number Of People 'Living Apart Together' In Britain 1 February 2006

UK Population Growth Remains Steady 1 February 2006

New Chair Of Equal Opportunities Commission 1 February 2006

Work and Families Bill 1 February 2006