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UK businesses disagree with the Equal Opportunity Commission’s appeal for better paid leave and more flexible working hours for fathers, according to a survey by Croner. Fifty-four percent of human resource professionals, surveyed by one of the UK’s leading providers of business information and advice, do not think that a father’s right to paternity leave should be made equal to maternity leave. The full details inside.

Dr Marc Pinter-Krainer

This article is by Dr Marc Pinter-Krainer, Chief Executive of Knowledge Technology Solutions PLC, a publisher of internet-delivered software. Does his view match yours? He says, "If the large car manufacturers were as deeply inconsiderate as writers of popular computer software, just when we'd learnt to drive, they would design a new car with the brake, clutch and accelerator pedals in a different configuration, say with the accelerator in the middle rather than on the right."

Human Resources has for too long taken a backseat to other business-critical functions through having no industry-standard method of demonstrating its return on investment. Now a defining new report “Human Capital Management” launched for senior managers, outlines the need for HR to drop the “tea and sympathy image” and adopt a business focused agenda, aligning employee and performance measurement with that of the strategic direction of the business and “delivering tangible results, reliable metrics and a visible return on investment”. Here's one you can't miss.

Farscape Development, an organisation that specialises in delivering innovative and challenging business development programmes, believes that the CIPD’s research about organisations’ problems with recruiting appropriate and experienced leaders is only the tip of the iceberg and that the UK's recruitment and retention issues are much deeper seated. The Company believes that the identification of younger employees with the potential to succeed into positions of responsibility and the training of these people is the key to business success. Do you agree?

Farscape Director, Ruth Moody

Most employers are aware that they must process workers' personal information in a fair and proper way under the Data Protection Act 1998. But what about processing employees' health information? Employment law expert Ian Lewis, a partner at national law firm Rowe Cohen, says ignorance of the law can lead to criminal charges. How much do you really know?

Rollingsons Solicitors are a well-known and respected firm that has a wealth of knowledge relating to employment law. We are pleases that we can use their article on this important issue. The Disability Discrimination Act 2005 (“DDA 2005”), which received Royal Assent on 7th April 2005, is the final step in meeting the Government's 2001 Manifesto commitment to extend rights and opportunities for disabled people.

There is no escaping stress in the workplace. In the UK, we are now working longer hours than ever before, juggling work commitments, families, friends, fitness - the list goes on. At a senior level, being the figurehead of an organisation brings even greater pressure with the workforce, board and shareholders expecting leadership, support and most importantly results. Managing stress is a skill that many of us fail to master, but in my experience, with good organisation, planning and prioritisation, a happy and balanced work life is achievable. Read Graham Alexander's tips to beat stress.

It seems amazing that today, in the modern, computerised world, employers and employees are still wary of psychometric tests when it comes to the recruitment process. According to online psychometric testing centre, www.ClickATest.co.uk, many companies still view them with suspicion. But these myths are easily dispelled and having chosen a few of the more ‘popular’ mistaken beliefs we receive, ClickATest aims to debunk the myths and unveil the truth behind this fascinating tool for the recruitment industry.

In the final of a three part series, we bring you the white paper written by ©Sirota Consulting LLC. In part one, we brought you the introduction, a list of the 33 myths and the detail behind some of them. In part two and this part we bring you the detail behind the remaining myths.

CBI figures say absence costs nearly £500 per employee a year, at a cost of £12.2 billion to the UK economy. A survey of HR professionals by FirstAssist, a leading health and wellbeing provider, reveals 55% don’t know how much absence is costing their business. Compounding this alarming figure, a shocking 1 in 5 don’t even know the annual absence rates in their business. FirstAssist stresses the importance of managing and monitoring absence to rein in its escalating cost to business.. Where does your company fit into this picture?

VMA Group, the specialist search and selection consultancy for the public relations and investor relations profession, is further strengthening its service with the appointment of two experienced recruitment consultants.
Joining to enhance VMA Group’s established Financial Services practice and its Insurance practice is Harry Friend. Harry joins as a Senior Consultant with over four years’ recruitment experience in these markets. Dan Chasemore joins VMA as a Consultant to focus on the Corporate Communications and IT practices.

Harry Friend and Dan Chasemore

In Product and Company News - Online recruitment specialist, StepStone, has acquired i-GRasp, the United Kingdom market leader for e-recruitment solutions. The deal, worth almost 17 million euros, creates a clear European market leadership position for StepStone Solutions, with a combined client base of over 300 customers and a unique portfolio of proven products AND Recruitmax, a global leader in technology and services for building great workforces has announced a successful first year in Europe. The Company has achieved growth for its Corporate, Staffing and e-Recruitment solutions and services from several major European clients, with 16 new UK contracts alone, over the first half of 2005.