News

Feeling slightly guilty at upstaging the Queen’s speech, we’ve decided to lead this week’s roundup with the news that we’re renaming....

The new name has been created to reflect the interactive nature and visibility of our HR system...

Earlier this week the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) launched new research highlighting a “reality gap” in the capability of UK plc's eight million managers....

The landmark retirement case, in which Solicitor Leslie Seldon was made to retire at 65, concluded this week. ...

Figures released earlier this week by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that the number of unemployed people in the UK has fallen for the first time since spring 2011....

With the Olympic Games fast approaching, businesses need to put in place contingency and absence management plans. It is imperative businesses act now, or risk being hit like a bolt as almighty as Usain as the Games commence....

With the Olympic Games about to commence, UK businesses need to be on top of their game in relation to absence management says Ochre’s Senior HR Business Partner, Lynn Goodwin....

With many of this month’s employment law changes coming into effect today, employers need to ensure they are up to date with new legislation....

This week talks have continued to resolve a potential fuel strike. And although a fuel strike hasn’t been confirmed, it is worth employers thinking about procedures they need to put in place if their business is unable to operate as a result of a lack of fuel or if employees are unable to get to work as a result....

Ochre has appointed a new Business Development Director, Simon Jones....

On Wednesday the Chancellor, George Osbourne, delivered this year’s budget calling it “a budget that rewards work”. Reactions have been mixed with much mainstream media anger and commentary directed at the “granny tax”....

With 2012 set to be a significant year of change in employment law, 6 April is the first date businesses should have in their diary as it marks the introduction of the first phase of changes....

With a raft of employment law changes coming into effect on 6 April, the Government’s plans to increase the unfair dismissal period from one to two years gained much of the spotlight this week....

In a week partly dominated by Business Secretary Vince Cable’s leaked assessment that the coalition is failing to deliver on a co-ordinated strategy for economic growth, the economy remains high on the agenda....

Catching the headlines this week were report findings suggesting that many line managers are “ineffective”. Yet elsewhere a further report demanded we should cut senior leaders some slack in order to build the organisational trust that is currently lacking....

All in all the last week teetered on the extremities, with “forced labour” allegations at one end and concerns about obesity at the other. In amongst all of this we launched our improved website and new blog....

Our new and improved website launched late yesterday and we’re really pleased with the fresher and livelier look, as well as the exciting new features....

We’re providing vital HR support and administration, and payroll software and services to Oneserve, a technology service provider based in the South West....

We're now providing "pay as you go" HR software, which comes as software as a service....

Earlier this week it was encouraging to read results from the 10th annual XpertHR survey that, amid continuing challenges and cost cutting, HR has grown in influence and effectiveness within organisations....

With the annual absence management headache of “National Sickie Day” kick starting the week, we were more encouraged as the week progressed to hear positive soundings about employee engagement and read some inspirational stories as part of National Apprenticeship Week....

With a raft of employment law changes introduced earlier in the week, employers need to grasp new award limits and amounts payable. ...

Statutory Sick Pay will increase from £81.60 to £85.85 per week. The change will take effect from 9 April 2012....

With a raft of employment law amendments and changes to the tribunal system in the offing this year, an interesting development this week was the announcement from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills that they will fund mediation training for employees from a group of 24 SMEs....

Statutory maternity, paternity, additional paternity, adoption pay and maternity allowance will increase from £128.73 to £135.45 per week or 90% of normal weekly earnings if lower....

The statutory redundancy payment will increase from £400 per week to £430 per week as from 1 February 2012....

In a week which saw unemployment figures rise, the Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, announced that employee share ownership is the “key to unlocking growth”....

In this week’s news two tribunal cases caught the eye: one for its payout of almost £1m and the other believed to be the first of its kind. ...

Happy New Year to you all! We were greeted at the beginning of the week by the Annual Barometer from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development....

Planned changes to the limits and amounts payable under employment legislation are due to take effect from 1 February 2012. The changes include an increase in the maximum award for unfair dismissal, from £68,400 to £72,300....