The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has published its latest Labour Market Outlook report (this link takes you to their report), with some interesting results. Their quarterly survey of over two thousand employers found that the median expected pay increase across all sectors was also three percent, down from four percent last quarter.Continue reading “CIPD survey predicts private sector pay will increase by only 3 percent over the next 12 months.”
Author Archives: Peter - 186hr
Why discriminating against a Vegan may be as costly as race or sex discrimination. Plus, the best Dad joke ever?
In the recent study by Yougov on the perceived size of minority groups versus the actual figures in the UK the public estimated the percentage of vegans and vegetarians to be 20 percent when it is in fact 4 percent. This is no surprise to me because I am fixated by certain vegetables. In fact,Continue reading “Why discriminating against a Vegan may be as costly as race or sex discrimination. Plus, the best Dad joke ever? “
Study finds we think 15 percent of the UK is gay and 5 percent are trans. What are the actual figures?
In our last article we discussed how the public perceives the Muslim population in the UK, along with other minorities, to be much higher than they actually are. The same applies to the gay and trans communities. According to a study by Yougov we perceive that 15 percent of the UK is gay but theContinue reading “Study finds we think 15 percent of the UK is gay and 5 percent are trans. What are the actual figures?”
Only 4 percent of the UK population is Muslim. Why do people think it is fifteen percent?
These are the most recent figures from a YouGov study. It also found that, whereas the Asian population of the UK is seven percent, we perceive it to be fifteen. This overestimation of the size of Muslim and Asian communities in the UK has been a feature throughout my HR career, and I can onlyContinue reading “Only 4 percent of the UK population is Muslim. Why do people think it is fifteen percent?”
Tempted to call a young employee a ‘stroppy little teenager’? It may cost you thousands if you discriminate against younger employees.
We normally associate age discrimination with older people, but it is just as important to ensure you avoid treating younger workers less favourably. A supermarket was taken to Tribunal when a manager became frustrated with a young employee’s attitude at work and called her a ‘stroppy little teenager’. They ended up paying her significant compensationContinue reading “Tempted to call a young employee a ‘stroppy little teenager’? It may cost you thousands if you discriminate against younger employees.”
Saying ‘back in your day’ or offering an old lady a seat at work? That’s age discrimination according to employment judges.
Getting the balance right between having a healthy culture where employees can have a laugh but not cause offence and fall foul of discrimination law is a tricky issue for employers. This was shown recently when a nursing assistant sued her employer for age discrimination when a younger colleague suggested that an operation would haveContinue reading “Saying ‘back in your day’ or offering an old lady a seat at work? That’s age discrimination according to employment judges.”
Does the virtue signalling hypocrisy of our football authorities know no bounds?
Every week I become more and more disillusioned with the contradictory and hypocritical actions of the football authorities, broadcasters and other influential figures in the sport that I love. Professing to be resolute in their pursuit of zero tolerance towards racism, homophobia, sexism and other discrimination they lecture us and take high profile and heavyContinue reading “Does the virtue signalling hypocrisy of our football authorities know no bounds?”
How to Manage Employee Grievances
Most grievances, whether they are raised formally or informally, can be resolved informally i.e. without the need for a longwinded investigation if they are handled in a proactive, fair and professional manner. Although the complainant can choose for a formal investigation and hearing to take place we encourage employers to try and manage complaints informallyContinue reading “How to Manage Employee Grievances”
Flotilla holidays are fantastic, but some days can be a little ropey!
Angela and I have just got back from a week ‘sailing’ around Kefalonia and Ithaca on a flotilla holiday. The word sailing is deliberately in inverted commas as, although we enjoyed the holiday, on this occasion we were on the motor a lot more than usual due to some inconveniently inclement weather. A flotilla holidayContinue reading “Flotilla holidays are fantastic, but some days can be a little ropey!”
The legal situation regarding employee grievances, including tribunal outcomes
In preparation for the release of our updated ‘Practical Guide to Managing Grievances’ which will be available in a week or so, this article looks at the legal requirements for handling grievances and then a couple of tribunal cases that are useful in justifying why care needs to be taken to treat employee complaints seriouslyContinue reading “The legal situation regarding employee grievances, including tribunal outcomes”