When dealing with allegations of misconduct, all employers must understand what procedure will apply, how it will be managed, and by whom, advises Kevin Poulter Issues of misconduct can be difficult for employersto deal with, no matter what their size, sector, orpublic profile. The recent ‘dismissal’ of three judges and resignation of a fourth, involving … Continue reading
The news that fast-food workers in New York State are likely to see their hourly pay rise from a minimum of $8.75 (£5.65) to $15 (£9.69) has sent shock waves though America. But will this unprecedented sector-specific pay increase be followed elsewhere around the world? I have previously considered the impact of the recommendation of the Fast-food Wages … Continue reading
A wages board in New York State has recommended raising the minimum wage for fast-food workers to $15 per hour by 2018 in New York City and 2021 across the rest of the State. I joined the BBC World Business Report to discuss the impact of the move. Earlier this year, some cities including Seattle, San … Continue reading
Following trials in Sheffield and Wales, the Fit to Work scheme is rolling out across the rest of the country from this week. The scheme was introduced by the government with a view to keeping more people in work and managing their sickness, rather than staying at home on long term absence. According to the … Continue reading
It has come to light that the Chartered Institute of Public Relations has produced bespoke guidance for MPs on their use of social media. The 5,500 word guide, commissioned by Commons Speaker John Bercow, is said to include such pearls of wisdom as ‘don’t tweet whilst drunk’ and encourages MPs not to be ‘boring’. MPs … Continue reading
Figures released recently show that there were 30.98 million people in work in the March-to-May quarter, 67,000 down from the previous quarter and the first fall since April 2013. Despite the rise in the jobless total, the UK’s Work and Pensions Minister, Priti Patel, told the BBC that there were jobs out there: “When you look at … Continue reading
Over the weekend, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) Twitter account was criticised for making light of a serious blaze which caused damage to a number of properties in the Shoreditch area of the capital. LFB have been great users of social media, using it as a valuable tool for communicating with the public and providing … Continue reading
Swedish furniture giant Ikea has become the first large national retailer and household name to sign up to the Living Wage as campaigners try to encourage greater buy-in from employers across the country. Different to the national living wage announced by the Chancellor in the Summer Budget, the Living Wage is a campaign run by … Continue reading
In the wake of the Sony hack and other abuses of confidential information, cyber security is an issue that any business can ill afford to ignore. What’s more, there is free help available from the Government for small businesses under a revised voucher scheme. I recently attended a conference on cyber security, organised by the … Continue reading
Research conducted by Mintel has found that two thirds of British workers consider flexible working to be the most important benefit to them. After the experience of the Tube Strike in London, I would suggest that flexible working arrangements can benefit organisations too. Rather than fighting through the crowds gathered at every bus stop and … Continue reading
Kevin Poulter 