Is Your Boss an Office Grinch?

CHRISTMAS may be the perfect time for gift giving, however when it comes to the workplace many bosses aren’t rewarding or recognising their employees with a token gift, according to new research.
 
A study of 1,000 UK workers published in the Most Generous Time of the Year Study by Perkbox, the UK’s fastest growing employee benefits platform, revealed that 30% of employees haven’t received any gift from their boss or manager at Christmas.

UK Salaries Set to Rise in 2019

• UK professionals are expected to receive 0.8% real-terms salary increase in 2019, double the increase received in 2018 (0.4%)

According to the latest Salary Trends Report by ECA International(ECA), UK employees in the private sector are expected to see a real salary increase of 0.8 percent in 2019, the equivalent of almost £20 a month (£237.35 per annum) for the average worker¹ before tax. This is following a better than expected salary increase for UK workers in 2018 (0.4 percent), originally forecasted to be among the lowest in Europe at 0.2 percent

UK office workers waste over 1 million hours a week searching for documents

Offices across the UK are so disorganised they are losing over 1 million hours a week searching for misplaced documents, that's seven days a year for each worker and is costing UK businesses £20 million a year in wasted time.

Research from office product specialists, Fellowes, also found that half of UK workers have documents that are over a year old on their desks, with 1 in 5 even admitting they have paperwork over 5 years old cluttering their workspace.

Unhygienic colleagues force 10% of workers to avoid using the toilet at work

A large majority of illnesses that result in employees needing time off work are contracted from dirty office environments. Poor hygiene and cleanliness in office bathrooms can intensify the problem further, and place workers’ health at risk. Thus, despite the ‘taboo’ surrounding the subject, Showerstoyou.co.uk sought to find out what workers dislike the most about their colleague’s dirty bathroom habits and what the ‘correct’ bathroom etiquette is.

Electrical Safety in the Office - 5 Tips to Avoid Accidents in the Workplace

In the UK during the last financial year, 137 people were killed in the workplace. In addition, 31.2 million working days were lost and 14.9 billion was lost due to injuries and ill health resulting from working conditions.

One of the key areas of office and workplace safety is around electrical items and the dangers these can pose. The hazards can range in size and scale, from electrical cords causing trip risk to full scale electrocution. If control measures are not put in place and regular checks not carried out, then you may be putting your employees at substantial risk.

How To Keep Your Focus - Staying On Task

Making That First Impression at Work

YOU LANDED A NEW JOB BECAUSE of that wonderful first impression you made at an interview. But don't rest on your laurels. Now you must continue making positive first impressions with your boss, team members, and other colleagues.
You'll have the opportunity to do so during your first week on the job. So you better hit the street running to prevent it from becoming your last week.

Businesses must start recruiting on attitude, social competence and character - not CVs

New talent acquisition campaign launches to address skills shortages by changing mind set on how businesses recruit great talent

Industry thought-leader and leadership expert, EP Insights (www.epinsights.co.uk), has launched its new talent acquisition campaign in response to a series of controversial think tank events, which identified that high numbers of businesses could be losing out on future talent due to obsolete recruitment processes and short-sighted approaches.

Five Smart Office Cleaning Tips and Tricks

The average person spends more than 40 hours every week in the office. Most that time they are working under the constant pressure of meeting deadlines and finishing complicated projects. It is scientifically proved that a cluttered office space has an adverse effect on the workflow. Of course, almost every office uses some commercial cleaning services and counts on professionals to take care the clutter.

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.

4 Ways to Grab the Attention of Your Audience

Gaining your audience's attention at the beginning of your presentation is crucial for two reasons: your audience will remember the first things you say (primacy effect), and they will decide to stay engaged with you. Here are 4 ways to start your presentation on the right path for engagement.

How to Impress Your Boss

Advancing in your career is much easier than you might think!
Sort of! The successful people in your organization know precisely what is important to their boss. They take the time to look at work from the perspective of both the management and leadership teams. Instead of doing work merely to look busy, the top-notch employees are keenly aware of results that impact the bottom line.

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?

Women earn 8,500 pounds a year less than men by the time they reach their 50s

The new analysis of official statistics shows that women earn less than men annually at every stage in their careers. However the gender pay gap is at its widest when a woman hits 50. She will earn £85,040 less over the course of this decade than a full-time man.

How to Make Small Talk - You Can Do It!

Social communication is a very important part of our social skills. Your ability to interact with others in a free and easy way, with the other party feeling comfortable as well, can be an invaluable asset to you. From time to time, people find themselves in situations where they have to start or engage in informal discussions. This is often known as small talk.

NEW COLLABORATION RANGE SPARKS INNOVATION

The Post-it Brand from 3M has launched a new range of Collaboration products, offering solutions for a variety of meeting spaces – from the office, to on the move.
 
Ideal for open office environments and workspaces, design thinking and collaboration the new range allows users to optimise their space and get the very best out of the workforce – so whether it’s idea generation, or presenting something that would otherwise be a little less than engaging there’s a new product for you.

Seven Ways To Increase Productivity At Work

Staying productive at work is one of the most difficult tasks for many employees. Nowadays, your efficiency and productivity matters far more than anything, a slight carelessness in this element and you can land in somber trouble. Here are seven ways to boost your daily productivity at work.

Good Sleep is Essential for Mental Wellbeing

Insomnia affects approximately 69% of adults with depression. Poor sleep also increases the risks of developing anxiety and depression, and acts as a barrier to successful treatment.

10 Things To Do While Booking Any Hotel & Grab The Best Deal

If you are an avid traveler, you appreciate the need for early planning before making the trip. One of the most important aspects to consider is of course accommodation. It is also one of the most expensive components in your travel plans and it is always advisable to shop around for the most affordable deals.

23 Million UK Workers Turning Their Backs on Company Employment

PeoplePerHour, the UK’s leading freelance marketplace, today reveals that 71% of Britain’s employed workforce (that’s over 23 million workers) are considering starting their own business because they aren’t getting what they want from their employers.
 
The news follows recent concerns that Dragon’s Den is encouraging ‘wishful thinkers’ to start up their own business. Whilst data from PPH supports this, the reasons behind the shift reveal that prospective entrepreneurs are jumping from employment to achieve “the work dream”.

Discrimination at work allowed to flourish unchecked as employment tribunal claims fall by 9,000 a month

New figures published by the TUC show that the number of working people challenging discrimination or unfair treatment at work has fallen by 9,000 a month since charges of up to £1,200 came in.

How to Gesture - AKA; What do I do with my hands?

Gestures, and especially hand movements, are important because they help orchestrate the language comprehension centers of your brain. In fact, your brain needs to integrate both the sounds and body movements of the person who is speaking in order to accurately perceive what is meant.

No Time to Exercise? Do It While You Work!

There just aren't enough hours in the day. At least, that's what we tell ourselves. Most of us struggle with busy schedules, too many time demands, and desk-bound jobs. That doesn't help with the aches and pains - tight necks, aching backs, sore shoulders, tired muscles - that many people face every day.

All I want for Christmas is: research reveals what employees really want in their stocking

With cash bonuses long associated with end of year reward for hard working employees, research released today (Monday 18 December) by HR analytics firm Peakon, reveals it’s actually a pay-rise most want at Christmas.

Half of women working in football have experienced sexism at work

• As recent polling showed that nearly half (46%) of women working in football have experienced sexism in the workplace.
• Nearly two-thirds (61%) of women in football have witnessed sexism at work.
• Nine in 10 (90%) of women in football still believe that more could be done to increase the chances of women not only breaking into the sport but getting further opportunities once in it.

Why Corporate Wellness Is Very Important for Every Organisation

Considering the level of stress and pressure in workplaces, wellness has turned up as one of the much-needed strategy that different organisations should apply in their work place. Different programs for achieving corporate wellness are getting even more popular in businesses having different sizes of work force.

5 Top Tips To Be Better Organised in Business, Work and Life

Quite often we know what we want to achieve in life, but we do not know how to plan our lives to achieve it. Organisation and planning are vital if we want to get to where we want to go. They are also crucial to getting organised and ensuring our success.

Organisation is about maintaining the right balance in our lives. It is about being able to allocate the right amount of time and attention to a given task so that it is fully completed...

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?

Pressure at work damages our relationships, says new report

Charities call for employers to offer flexible working and relationship support

Research out today highlights the immense pressure felt by UK employees to prioritise work ahead of relationships. One in three workers (33%) says their boss thinks work should come before family life, and a third (33%) also say their employer thinks the ideal employee should be available 24 hours a day.

Logged on but can't turn off?

A third of UK employees say remote access to work means they can’t switch off

New report finds many workers experiencing problems working away from the office, highlighting need for better guidance on flexible working

Almost a third of UK workers (32%) feel that having remote access to the workplace means they can’t switch off in their personal time, according to the latest CIPD/Halogen Employee Outlook report.

Professional Salaries have grown by 3.68% in the past 3 years

The need for more clearly defined administrative roles is set to continue in 2017 with specialists in telemarketing/telesales expected to reap the highest salary rises at 3.2%: £16,750 - £17,000 (2016) to £17,000 - £23,000 (2017).

Disney Business Solutions launches Roadmap to Adventure

Disney Business Solutions launches Roadmap to Adventure, a new interactive rally game at Disneyland Paris

Following the launch of Meetcentives , Disney Business Solutions unveils its newest team-building innovation: Roadmap to Adventure , an interactive rallye game through Disney® Parks. Participants (up to 300) will encounter a wide range of challenges in teams of six within 2.5 hours, with a digital tablet in hand. Challenges include taking pictures of specific places, making short video clips, solving puzzles, scanning objects and many others.

The Great British High Street competition has revealed the nation's best high streets

The Great British High Street competition has revealed the nation's best high streets. Twenty-seven finalists now have the chance to impress an expert judging panel and battle it out in a public vote to be crowned Britain's best.

The importance of colour in business

Are we perceived as unique, presentable professionals in our people-centered work environment? Do we confidently engage with clients, prospects and colleagues with an authentic message and personal presence? Do we consider the impact of colour on how we progress in business?

The Etiquette of Sympathy: When a Colleague or Client Suffers a Loss

When a colleague, co-worker or business associate loses a family member, do you find yourself stuck on the etiquette of sympathy? Do you wonder how you should handle this kind of situation? Do you worry that you will use the wrong words or that you will intrude on the other person's grief?

Over 55s braced to work until 70 to stay mentally fit

Older workers (55+) in the UK are bracing themselves to continue working until they are 70 years old, according to new research by the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development.

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.

Which is your favourite task?

We all have those tasks
we love to do, or hate
to do!  Between the four
tasks listed, let us
know which is your
favourite!

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%).

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.

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.