Date: 22 May 2008

Gibbons Review – Government response

The Government have published their response to the Gibbons review. The main response area  that will have an impact on HR professionals and line managers is the decision to repeal the grievance and disciplinary process that was introduced in 2004. This represents one of the biggest employment law changes in many years. The timescale for the removal of this statutory process is April 2009. Organisations will be encouraged to adopt new ways of working such as incorporating the principles of workplace mediation and early resolution.

Globis is working with the Department of Business, CIPD and Acas to prepare the UK for this change.

The business case shows that organisations can save hundreds of thousands or millions of pounds by building better relationships at work.

Please click here to view the response http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file46233.pdf

Date: 7 April 2008

Globis is currently experiencing exceptional growth for the provision of mediation services and accredited mediation training.

Our goal is to be the UK’s No. 1 provider of preventative and remedial HR solutions that build better relationships at work.

During 2008 we will train in excess of 150 people to become accredited workplace and employment mediators. This year we are holding our first Summer School. The Summer School will be an intensive week long residential training course of our National Certificate in Workplace Mediation Skills Programme.

The Summer School will be held at the picturesque and tranquil House of Cantle, Perth, Scotland. For more information on the training venue, please click here: http://www.cantle.net/house.html

This course will be ideal for anyone who is interested in pursuing a quick concentrated route to Workplace and Employment mediator accreditation.

There will also be ample time to enjoy the scenery on the Loch!

The course dates are 17-22 August 2008. The cost is £3495 plus vat per person, including accommodation and meals.

For a booking form please click here http://www.globis.co.uk/Course_Booking_Form.pdf

Date: March 27 2008

This is an exciting time for Globis. We are experiencing rapid growth which is helping us in our drive to be the UK’s No1 provider of preventative and remedial HR solutions that help build better relationships at work. To help us grow, we are looking for a number of Associates to join our team. There are three areas that we have in mind.

Workplace and employment mediators

Mediation in the workplace is likely to become the biggest HR intervention since Coaching. We would like to hear from people who are experienced mediators. You will have been trained by a recognisable and reputable organisation and have been lead mediator for a range of in-house or post employment disputes. We have a particular interest in hearing from people who are located in the North (inc Scotland), Midlands and London.

In addition, we would like to hear from individuals who have an interest in training to become a mediator with the view to undertake some associate work when the opportunity arises. You may currently be a freelance or employed HR Professional. We would also like to hear from employment lawyers with an interest in this area.

Training and Development Specialists

Globis currently offers a range of Open and in-house training programmes. Most of our training relates to preventative strategies to keep workplace relationships on-track. Programmes include topics such as ‘How to manage difficult conversations’ and ‘How to influence’. We will also train over 150 people to become accredited workplace and employment mediators during 2008. If you would have an interest in helping us build our training service provision, please contact us.

Equality and Diversity Specialists

Managing difference is a hot topic for most organisations across the UK. An increasing number of organisations are contacting us about Equality and Diversity HR solutions. We would like to hear from you if this is one of your areas of expertise.

To discuss any of these opportunities please contact me on 0800 345 7703 or at clive.lewis@globis.co.uk

I look forward to hearing from you.

Clive Lewis
Managing Director.

Source: Personnel Today – article
Date: Tuesday, February 28, 2006

HR initiatives are creating greater awareness of bullying in the workplace, according to findings from a survey by Personnel Today’s sister company IRS Employment Review

HR initiatives are creating greater awareness of bullying in the workplace, according to findings from a survey by Personnel Today’s sister publication IRS Employment Review.

Results from the study of 92 organisations show that anti-bullying policies are becoming more commonplace among companies and public sector bodies.

Just seven of the organisations surveyed were found to have no written policy on bullying, and three of these intended to put one in place in the near future. Of the 85 employers with written policies in place, 74 had introduced them over the past five years.

Thirty-seven respondents had standalone ‘bullying’ or ‘dignity at work’ policies, while 42 dealt with bullying in their harassment guidelines, and six firms covered the issue within their equal opportunities policy.

In total, 69 respondents said that one or more bullying incidents had been reported over the past two years, while 535 incidents were reported over the past 12 months.

Thirty-nine organisations said that bullying had had little or no impact on working relationships, turnover, absence, staff morale or commitment.

But 43 said that at least one of the aforementioned aspects of working life had been afected by bullying.

And 26 organisations said bullying had had a major impact on staff absence, while 20 said it had had a significant effect on staff turnover The most common forms of bullying were undermining behaviour (such as work overload or persistent criticism) and verbal abuse.

Source: Personnel Today – article
Date: Tuesday, April 04, 2006

Personnel Today highlights that Parent prejudice continues to dominate workplaces up and down the country, according to research launched to mark this Thursday’s ‘Bring Your Children to Work Day’.

A survey by consultancy Accenture of more than 1,300 employees who returned to work after having a child, reveals that one in five feel it has had a negative impact on their career.

Women are still hit the hardest, having three times as many negative experiences as men, the research shows.

While many employers extol the virtues of flexible working, many parents do not feel comfortable coming in late, leaving early or attending school events. Even taking time off when their child is unwell is something that 59% of respondents feel uncomfortable doing.

Parents are united on calling for more support from both government (60%) and employers (58%) to ease the burden of balancing work and family life.

While government plans to extend maternity and paternity leave are welcomed, parents cited a number of factors that would be needed to make this work.

Nearly 60% say there needs to be a commitment from the employer, and more than 40% say there is a need for measures to help returners come back to work and that women ought to be paid the same as men.

Source: Globis
Date: Thursday, June 01, 2006

Clive Lewis, Founder and Managing Director of Globis People solutions has received an invitation to address The Trinity Leadership Forum. The Trinity Forum is a Global leadership academy that works to cultivate networks of leaders whose integrity and vision will help renew culture and promote human freedom and flourishing. Clive will speak on the topic of emerging leaders and will address how leaders can help resolve conflict by listening to how others perceive them and being aware of their own vulnerabilities, miscommunications and conflict styles. Clive believes that leaders derive their mandate less from their titles than from the relationships they develop with employees.

Source: Personnel Today – article
Date: Thursday, June 01, 2006

Only 36 per cent of firms have specialised diversity or equal opportunities function

UK organisations are still not putting enough energy, resources or money into diversity, according to new CIPD research.

Only 30 per cent of organisations have a special budget for diversity and only 36 per cent have a specialised diversity or equal opportunities function, says the report, Diversity in Business: How Much Progress Have Employers Made?

“This raises questions about how much energy organisations are putting into it,” Dianah Worman, CIPD adviser, diversity, told PM. “Only a small number invest resources in terms of a budget.”

Although 93 per cent of organisations have a diversity policy, the research suggests that it is only when organisations recognise and communicate the value that diversity can add to business that they prioritise it and get senior management support to help progress it.

“You’ve got to have top-team commitment to get it to take off,” said Worman. More than half of the professionals involved in diversity management (53 per cent) are not contracted to work on diversity, but do it anyway.

Companies are also beginning to realise the business case for diversity, with 64 per cent saying the ability to “recruit and retain top talent” was a key driver.

“But work still needs to be done,” Worman said. “The emphasis needs to be on more education and understanding.”

The survey, of 285 professionals, also reveals that disability is the most popular issue covered in diversity policies, yet 40 per cent still fail to include it, leaving firms open to potential legal claims.

Source: Personnel Today – article
Date: Thursday, June 01, 2006

Different management styles to blame for most of unsuccessful assignments abroad.

Cultural differences are the most common reason that expatriate managers and executives fail in their assignments.

Forty per cent of senior staff sent to work abroad fail, according to a survey by consultancy Personnel Decisions International (PDI). And 85 per cent of these failures are down to variations in management styles worldwide, such as being open or secretive. In Japan and Saudi Arabia for example, maintaining group harmony is the most valued management quality. Yet French and Mexican leaders are likely to speak their mind even when their views are unpopular. In China, the business culture encourages individual problem-solving and brainstorming is frowned upon. While UK managers and executives are more extrovert and prefer working in groups.

“Problems arise when an individual’s own attributes don’t match those of the culture where he or she is sent,” said Bob Lewis, vice-president of research for PDI. “A leader who favours individuality will rub co-workers the wrong way in a country where group needs traditionally take precedence. Likewise, an even-keeled leader in a culture where emotional expression is the norm, will likely be seen as cold and unfeeling.”

The survey, which questioned 12,000 business leaders worldwide, estimated that the average cost of a failed assignment is up to four times the expatriate’s salary.

Source: Personnel Today – article
Date: Thursday, June 01, 2006

One-quarter have taken time off due to anxiety and half are never stress-free Ninety-five percent of staff in the public sector find their work stressful, new research claims.

Nearly 65 per cent of public-sector staff rated their anxiety levels as five or higher on a scale of one to ten and 25 per cent had taken time off due to stress, according to a survey by online learning provider SkillSoft. More than 50 per cent of the 1,500 workers questioned admitted they were never stress-free and 68 per cent said this sometimes caused restless nights. Monday was rated the most stressful day of the week.

“According to the Health and Safety Executive, stress is now the biggest cause of working days lost through injury or ill-health with an estimated 12.8 million days each year” said Kay Baldwin-Evans, vice-president of research at SkillSoft. “The TUC estimates that work-related stress costs the economy up to £7 billion per annum.” She urged employers to confront the issue. “By understanding what makes public-sector employees stressed at work, organisations are much better placed to manage it,” she said.

Source: Personnel Today – article
Date: Saturday, June 10, 2006

Demonstration will highlight anger at plans to close factory in Coventry Workers from Peugeot’s Ryton plant in Coventry will demonstrate in London against the factory’s proposed closure. Staff have been protesting since the French car manufacturer last month announced plans to lay off 2,300 workers and transfer production of its latest model to Slovakia. The plant will shut in two stages, winding down from two shifts to one in July, with final closure next summer. The Transport and General Workers Union (T&G), which represents the staff, recently urged a boycott of Peugeot cars. It is now planning to hold a demonstration at a dealership in Brent Cross, north London, on Saturday 24 June. Jim O’Boyle, T&G convenor for Ryton, will lead the protest. “We look forward to spreading our message to the rest of the UK that Peugeot workers are not just going to lay down and accept the sacking of workers,” he said. “Unless the company sits down and properly engages with the unions to discuss an alternative, this campaign will go on.”