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Topics include the positive effects of team building, good news on recruitment, and a brand-new employee wellbeing podcast to help employers make a difference on a limited budget. There are some important employment law updates, and we end this roundup with a little fun in the sun!
Enjoy this edition and please get in touch if you would like to tap into our team’s HR expertise on any of the themes raised. We are here to support you with HR planning and strategy, culture and engagement, recruitment strategy, and people development.
HR Strategy
The positive impact of team building
A new survey of 1,000 UK office workers has revealed overwhelmingly positive attitudes towards team-building activities. 62% of people said team building improves communication among the workforce – with 29% citing a long-term positive impact, while 3 in 5 respondents linked team-building activities with improved team collaboration. 65% of people said that team building helps them to perform better as a team, with other positive impacts including better mood, morale, teamwork and trust. Read the complete summary of the findings.
Tackling low morale and productivity through AI and HR
With new research from Celonis showing that 81% of UK businesses are experiencing low employee morale, companies are looking to AI to support a drive for growth and productivity. Using AI solutions to automate repetitive or mundane tasks and free up employee time to focus on valuable activities is one potential solution. Businesses can get the most out of AI solutions by helping the software to understand current business context.
Is HR strategy causing you a headache? Book a call with one of our HR Consultants to discuss current and future people plans.Recruitment
Downturn in hiring activity eases
The latest KPMG and Recruitment and Employment Confederation Report on Jobs shows that April saw the softest fall in recruitment activity since last September, with a similar trend seen in temporary work. In less encouraging news, Personnel Today reports that the number of people seeking work in April increased sharply, mainly due to redundancies, pressure on budgets, and increasing payroll costs.
We are here to help. Speak to a HR Consultant for advice on recruitment strategy, job creation and people management.Employment Law
Summary of recent changes to employment law
The CIPD provides a useful summary of employment law changes for people practitioners and HR teams. This recent update addresses the implications of the Supreme Court ruling on “sex” in the Equality Act 2010. It also looks at a long-awaited change to modern slavery reporting guidance, a highlight how businesses can contribute to the call for evidence on equality law as part of the Government’s Plan to Make Work Pay.
Immigration law changes to watch out for
The UK Government has announced their Immigration White Paper aimed at reducing employers’ reliance on overseas workers and encouraging investment in homegrown skills. Personnel Today has put together a handy summary of the 10 key changes proposed in the Paper and the potential implications for employers. A legal expert estimates that the proposed package of reforms could represent a 158% increase in costs before an applicant can secure permanent residence in the UK.
Are you concerned about the effect of planned employment law changes on your people and business? Learn how our consultants can support your business with complex HR Projects & Expertise.Employee Wellbeing and Engagement
Over-communicate to engage Gen Z
Gen Z (13-28 year olds) is the youngest generation in the UK workforce and the most isolated and disconnected. Employer News highlights four strategies to strengthen engagement with Gen Z employees and help bridge the expectation versus reality gap. A digital-first approach and clear communication are high on the list to satisfy Gen Z-ers’ need for instant information.
Did you know communication is covered in several of our Leadership & Management e-learning modules? Take a look at our course catalogue to discover a range of accessible learning for you and your team.Podcast: Employee wellbeing on a limited budget
In a landscape of stringent budget cuts, the lovely people at Great Place to Work have launched a new podcast to help employers prioritise wellbeing. Discussion topics include: How to measure wellbeing, a manager’s role in employee wellbeing, and the interesting difference between wellbeing adds and wellbeing makers. Listen here.
Spring/Summer HR events
While we are on the subject of Great Place to Work, take a look at their HR Events calendar for all the important conferences coming up for HR professionals. The Employee Engagement Summit and HR Leadership Summit are both coming up later this month. Maybe we’ll see you there!
And finally…
Hey HR, don’t blame it on the sunshine
Let’s face it, us Brits are mildly obsessed with talking about the weather, so the mini May heatwave is definitely causing a stir in the P3 office. This light-hearted article asks if warmer weather is linked to declining workplace productivity. How many of your team called in sick during the dry spell? Have your employees resisted the temptation to down tools early and head to the garden for a cold one? And is it unprofessional to work from a pub beer garden?
How can we help?
To discuss any of the issues or challenges arising from this HR News Roundup, get in touch with us today on 0161 941 2426. We’re here to help.
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