The 21st Century Quest for Work-Life Balance

Called out by The New York Times last year for the challenging amount of hours it expects from its employees, Amazon is launching a test-run of a 30-hour workweek for some its technical teams.

Online Security For Small Businesses

The spotlight for online security for small businesses in the United Kingdom has never been brighter. The new European Data Protection Regulation, which regulates the progression of personal data within the European Union (EU), will come into full effect by April 2018 – which replaces the previous Data Protection Directive due to its out-of-date guidelines.

The Pain of Beginning Again

Let’s face it there are times that we all have had to start all over. The idea of beginning something again can be terrifying. The thought of all the efforts of planning and trying to re-call, re-connect and re-establish can be exhausting. However, when the passion of what you lost outweighs the pain of starting again…you go for it!

A fifth of secretarial and support professionals didn't take their full leave allowance last year

Research from the Robert Walters Career Lifestyle Survey has revealed that 18% of secretarial and support professionals did not take all of their annual leave, with 5% of survey respondents stating that they had taken none of their annual leave last year.

Number of temporary agency workers rises by 29% in a decade

The number of temporary agency workers has increased by 29% in the last 10 years, according to a new evidence which shows a shift in the country’s labour market.

New report on law trends in HR shows employers face many challenges

The report, based on research carried out by lawyers from 58 countries, shows that, employers are constantly weighing up their employees' rights to freedom of expression and privacy against their own rights to protect the business from the effect of adverse comment and improper disclosure by employees with whom they are in dispute, with particular regard to social media platforms.

Majority of UK CFOs aspire to be CEO

The majority (86%) of UK Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) are driven to reach the top role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in their current organisation, reveals new research1 from leading recruitment agency Robert Half UK.

People want job security as well as decent pay

As the ONS publishes new figures showing 900,000 people are on zero-hour contracts, Citizens Advice highlights how having a steady job is just as important to people as earning a decent wage.

British business travellers spend record 1 billion pounds on business trips to the US in 2015

New analysis(1) by Collinson Group reveals that UK business travellers spent £1.05 billion on business travel trips to the US in 2015, the first time it has risen above the billion-pound mark and up 35% from 2014. Such is the value of the US market that the amount spent in 2015 was more than the combined value of the next two markets: Germany (£451 million, up 26%) and France (£408 million, up 1%).

Should employers clamp down on Pokemon Go?

Popular game prompts questions over use of personal devices, as Boeing becomes first business to ban it at work

The take-up of smartphone game Pokemon Go has been so remarkable - and the experience of playing it so immersive - that employers may need to revisit their policies to prevent a productivity glut, according to experts

Employers opt for temporary staff as permanent recruitment plummets

Hiring decreases to lowest point since 2009 recession; HR opportunities also affected, say specialists

The number of people being hired on a permanent basis has dropped more quickly than at any point since May 2009, according to a widespread study of recruiters.

The Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) report, compiled by Markit, found that nearly 38 per cent of recruiters placed fewer people in permanent positions in July, compared with 32 per cent in June.

UK workers experienced sharpest wage fall of any leading economy

UK workers have suffered the biggest fall in real wages among leading OECD countries, according to new analysis published today (Wednesday) by the TUC.

The analysis shows that between 2007 and 2015, real wages in the UK fell by 10.4% - a drop equalled only by Greece.

By contrast, over the same eight-year period, real wages grew in Poland by 23%, in Germany by 14%, and in France by 11%. Across the OECD, real wages increased by an average of 6.7%.

4 Things you Need to Know about the Nutrition Facts Label

We all recognize the black and white Nutrition Facts label on packaged foods. Maybe if we are trying to be a little more health-conscious, we glance at it before buying food at the supermarket, more or less understanding how to decide which food is better for us. However, most of us prefer to ignore the nutrition facts label either because it doesn't interest us, or because "ignorance is bliss".

How Stressful Thinking Impacts You

Most of us experience tension daily, often it's hour by hour or worse minute to minute. How we cope with stress and worry determines whether we move forward or allow it to hold us back. Habitual negative thinking is often frenzied, inaccurate, and undependable, yet you can go through your entire life with negative thoughts that cause unproductive behavior and a more difficult life. Most people dealing with stress especially chronic stress assume that there's no getting around it, and its just the way life has to be. But this is certainly not the case!

For Meeting Planners Only

In planning traditional conferences and meetings, you consider who your target audience is, what topics need to be covered, who your keynoters and workshop presenters should be, and how much time should be allotted for each session.

Equally important as those details are to the overall success of your event is the venue and the ambiance. If people can't get to the location easily and affordably or if they aren't comfortable while they're there, your best planning won't matter. Accessibility is critical when choosing a location. When the site is difficult to find, hard to navigate or unreasonably costly, attendance will suffer.

When Managing Difficult People, Don't Let Pet Peeves Hook You

Do you have any pet peeves that annoy you about other people? Some of people are reluctant to admit their pet peeves. They believe they shouldn't have any, or they're too embarrassed to admit to them.

Some people will talk about things that irritate them about other people, and drive them crazy. Things they disapprove of, find embarrassing, or just don't like.

Guidelines to Follow for Event Fire Safety

No matter the size of the event, or where it is located, there is always a risk for a fire to break out. When you are in charge of planning a special activity, it is your responsibility to make sure that the attendees, dwelling, and the surrounding areas are going to be adequately protected in the instance that a fire emergency does occur.

3 Ways To Increase Focus In The Workplace

Most human resources studies show levels of disengagement in the workforce have never been higher.

While this can be down to numerous reasons, from a poor workplace culture and inadequate reward systems, to poor leadership, there is also the element of distraction that plays an increasingly large part in this trend.

Getting a Job - Five Tips for Interview Success

- What do I know about the job I am applying for?
- What do I know about the organisation who will be employing me?
- What do I know about myself?
- What do I know about the world at large?
- What do I know about the wider context of the organisation's market-place?

5 Ways to Kill Employee Morale

Making sure the company is running efficiently and effectively is more complicated than hiring qualified people and telling them what to do. Having an incredible staff to support and carry out your business’ goals will only get you so far; the key is fostering a community within the workplace in which your workers not only feel comfortable to work and produce quality results, but empowered to take ownership and make decisions which will have a positive impact to the company.

Does Being Disorganized Make You Less Effective?

An effective manager is an organized manager - because being organized reduces distractions and removes the unnecessary from your life. Sometimes "getting organized" is easier said than done, however.
But if you can't keep your own workspace in order, how can you expect to properly manage others? If you begin your meetings half-focused on your computer screen, how can you expect your words to have much impact?

Why Having a Public LinkedIn Profile is So Important

Whether you’re considering new employment opportunities or not, LinkedIn is a fantastic tool to build your professional profile. Beyond the amazing job search benefits it provides, it can also put you in touch with professional colleagues that may contribute to your future success in the industry, and may attract future clients to you and your company.

The Difference Between Mentoring and Coaching

Mentoring usually involves being guided by someone who has already done what it is that you are trying to do. For example, organisations use mentors to train new members of the team. They will show them what needs to be done, watch what they do to make sure they are understanding the process correctly and they will give helpful hints and tips to make the learning curve a little less steep.

The 5 Simple Rules of Business Etiquette

There has always been an unwritten code of socially acceptable norms and standards throughout the history of human civilization. There are just some things you do and other things you don't do; some things that are appropriate and others that are not. But these unwritten laws don't just apply to hospitality or fine dining. They are just as valid in the world of trade and commerce.

Are You Planning a Holiday? - 12 Tips You Must Read Before Booking Your Vacation

Whether you take one holiday or six holidays a year, it is easy to forget some of the essential components that make for a happy and stress free vacation. It is wise not to jump in with both feet and take the first cheapest deal on offer at a travel agent. A bit of planning and thought can make what would be a mediocre holiday into the 'best holiday' ever.

5 Ways to Make Work Easier

• Do you often eat lunch at your desk?
• Are you working long hours?
• Do you find that you regularly get to the end of your day and realising you haven't achieved what you set out to do?

'Yes' to some or all of these? Well, watch out. You're putting yourself at serious risk of suffering from the effects of stress.