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theHRDIRECTOR Issue 65
This issue we speak to
Richard Boon
Head of HR, England 2018

FEATURES

Special Report
Pensions
Reward
Lean working
HR Software

FEATURING

Skanska
Somerfield
Bourton Group
CIPD
Accenture

Health and Wellbeing

Time to reflect upon your commute
The work culture in this country has changed in recent decades, catapulting the UK up the league tables not only to have one of the longest average working weeks in Europe, but also the second-longest daily commutes on top.
Returning to work can help with depression
The modern workplace is often blamed for increased rates of depression and stress. However, new research published in the journal, Occupational Medicine, shows that resuming work can actually aid recovery and help depressed employees.
RSI cases soar to all-time high as working trends go mobile
Official research by Microsoft reveals RSI cases have soared by more than 30% in the last year, costing businesses over £300 million in lost working hours.
Britons risking their health in economic slowdown
More Britons are risking their health because they can’t afford essential medical checks, new figures suggest. A survey commissioned by HSF health plan found 48% of UK residents are putting off medical checks, such as the dentist or optician, because of the cost – a rise of 30% since 2006.
NICE guide to mental wellbeing at work
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued guidance for employers on promoting mental wellbeing at work through productive and healthy working conditions.
People are a pain
The people we work with are the primary source of frustration within the workplace, according to research from Monster.co.uk. A recent poll found that messy or disorganised colleagues irritate 40 percent of us in the office, with too much management speak coming second with 32 percent. 16 percent of us were frustrated by too many meetings clogging up the day.
Disability judgement to benefit carers
A judgement by the Employment Appeal Tribunal has introduced new rights into UK discrimination law, which will primarily benefit carers of disabled people.
Eversheds comment: Equality Bill to enhance disability rights
The Equality Bill is due to be debated in the House of Commons on 2 December, with Harriet Harman expected to propose an amendment that would make it easier for disabled job applicants to prove unlawful discrimination if they are asked about their health in the early stages of a recruitment exercise and then turned down without being invited to an interview.
New Centre to tackle workplace bullying launced
Bullying and stress in the workplace could be costing organisations in the UK a staggering £13.75billion a year. Last year alone 33.5million days were lost by UK organisations due to bullying related absenteeism, almost 200,000 employees left organisations and the equivalent of 100 million days productivity were lost as a result of bullying.
Keep working to 'delay Alzheimer's'
Those campaigning to scrap the compulsory retirement age have discovered another reason for older employees to stay in work: this time, with the news that working beyond retirement can delay Alzheimer's disease.
Stress threatening UK productivity
Employees are more stressed than a year ago and management failure to address this could have a prolonged impact on productivity, claims research released today by Investors in People UK.
Agency Worker Directive regulations pose threat to continuity of care in the health sector
Forthcoming Agency Worker Directive regulations will impact on the continuity of care in the health sector according to delegates at a recent series of seminars held by law firm Pinsent Masons.
Apocalypse when? Is your business planned for a pandemic?
Whether or not 'swine flu' - or the more glamorous 'H1N1 influenza type A' - really does cause a worldwide pandemic, the fact remains we can expect one at some point in the future. Some say we are long overdue for one. But would you know what to do if an epidemic hit your workplace?
NHS 'Not to Blame' for Ethnic Inequality in Health
James Nazroo, Professor of Sociology at Manchester University claims that while the NHS cannot be blamed for the clear inequalities that exist in the health of the black and ethnic minority community, it could do better when it comes to ensuring a fair deal for its high numbers of BME employees.
Better support needed to help longer-term incapacity benefits claimants back to work
New research by the Institute for Employment Studies (IES) shows that increasing healthcare professionals’ involvement and engaging more effectively with employers are both key to helping people with longstanding health problems return to work.
theHRDIRECTOR lands Glaxo sponsorship and advertising deal
theHRDIRECTOR has sealed a long-term sponsorship and advertising deal with Glaxo Smith Klein, which includes a summit roundtable focusing on pandemic preparedness and dealing with large scale illness in the workplace.
Contractors ignoring swine flu advice
Workers with swine flu are refusing to go home, which means sickness policies need urgently updating. Problems are expected to worsen when the flu season hits, and recruiters should decide their policy now.
NHS needs to take care of itself
The recent Boorman interim review has raised questions about the way staff are treated within the NHS.
Employees told 'on your bike'
Cyclescheme has been confirmed as the Government's choice as the UK's number one provider of tax-free bikes for the Government's Cycle to Work initiative.
Speeding is the most common driving offence committed by company car drivers
Speeding is by far the most common driving offence committed by company car drivers, new figures from GE Capital Solutions, Fleet Services indicate.
No time for stress
Managers dismiss stress worries despite nine in ten suffering. The latest Badenoch & Clark Employment Study has today revealed a growing stress problem in the UK workplace.
Employees at risk through liability ignorance
Over half a million people are uninsured in their workplace and only a third of businesses understand their legal requirement to cover employees through employers' liability insurance.
Call for flexibility on worker health
Employers are being urged to take a flexible approach to work to help their employees manage health conditions they may have.