The People Bulletin

When a group of Tesco and Virgin Atlantic employees posted abusive comments about customers in Facebook groups, this highlighted the fine line between civil liberties and appropriate corporate behaviour. And how many of you have Googled an interview candidate to see what dark secrets about them might be lurking in cyberspace? Bill Gates wrote Business at the Speed of Light over ten years ago and the principles of an ‘efficient corporate nervous system’ remain. This includes keeping your data protection and social networking policies up-to-date! Welcome to The People Bulletin! Clarissa Dann

In an age where a job ad for ‘reliable workers’ banned as ‘discrimination’ by Jobcentre Plus (for fear of litigation from ‘unreliable’ workers), employers will need to become a lot more ingenious about attracting the right candidates. So don’t miss Richard Boothman’s notion that your ‘green’ credentials can get you off to a good start. And although the recession is ‘officially’ behind us, HSE reminds us that increased economic activity can lead to more accidents at work if safety procedures are not watertight. On a happier note, we have found some very encouraging thank-you notes from enlightened CEOs. Welcome to the People Bulletin! Clarissa Dann

January brings not only the snow but increased employee absence, so before the next dump arrives; make sure your absence policies are updated to deal with travel difficulties. But the big employment freeze is on the thaw which is good news for recruitment, so don’t miss Mark Rhodes’ guide to successful online recruitment in this issue. Welcome back to The People Bulletin after the festive season and fingers crossed that the New Year full moon is a predictor of a more positive economic climate for 2010. Clarissa Dann

Fewer than four in ten office workers will definitely have an office Christmas party to go to this year and many employees are funding their own seasonal entertainment. However, the spectre of Scrooge is not a universal manifestation, and some organisations believe that some sort of an event is an important part of saying thank-you to staff. However, don’t miss our tips on how to ensure a tribunal-free Yuletide – a simple policy rather than a camera in the mistletoe should do the trick. And if you are one of the lucky ones and able to pay a bonus – make sure your read Rupert Merson’s ruminations on performance-related pay. So it is farewell to 2009 from The People Bulletin and we’ll be back with our inimitable mix of practical tips and news analysis in our bumper 21 January 2010 issue. Like many of our readers we are taking a break over the holiday period. Season’s Greetings! Clarissa Dann

Jackie Orme, addressing delegates at CIPD’s annual conference last month, talked about HR’s responsibility to ‘deliver both short- and long-term results in a way that protects the future.’ This means getting to grips with human capital management and how people create shareholder value – Philip Whiteley explains how in today’s People Bulletin. And just in case you get asked to speak at a conference, don’t miss Stephen Engelhard’s essential guide to successful presentations. As for those who thought the pigs had flown away…the swine flu statistics indicate employers need to step up their risk management procedures. Clarissa Dann

Restructuring is an inevitable part of business as usual, and even if you are on top of the legal processes, it is important not to forget what is going on inside the heads and hearts of your employees. Gareth Chick summarises the emotional journey employees make during change management programmes and Mike Wellin explains how the psychological contract drives employer/employee relations. And if you think those that have kept their jobs should be grateful they are still on the payroll, read our update on presenteeism research. Welcome to The People Bulletin! Clarissa Dann

Is the Royal Mail acting illegally hiring 30,000 agency workers to plug the hole in its services during the post strike? Read Tom Flanagan’s employment law article and find out. And although the future appears not so bright for Orange in the light of recent workplace suicides, more needs to be done back home to improve wellbeing at work and to beat bullying. On a more positive note, Paul Everitt demonstrates how working together, common goals and commitment can deliver amazing results. Welcome to The People Bulletin! Clarissa Dann

In these straightened times, the reward mix has become less grasping, with companies introducing payroll giving and employer-supported volunteer schemes alongside the cars, life insurance and share options. Dragons’ Den entrepreneur Duncan Bannatyne shares why he’s passionate about tax efficient giving and, just in case we forget, moral outrage over fat cat bonuses does not mean there is no legal entitlement to them… Welcome to The People Bulletin! Clarissa Dann

Sometimes there are just not enough hours in the day, but many of us set the time traps we fall into.  Martin Scott shares his secrets for more time and less stress. And although you can still force workers to retire at 65, few believe this is sustainable, so get your performance management processes sorted now – retirement is not a termination tool.  One last thought – have you considered a Payroll Giving Scheme which could boost your social responsibility cred? Yes, it’s The People Bulletin! Clarissa Dann

Now that the summer holidays are a distant memory, workers who fall sick on annual leave are entitled to replacement days for time lost on the beach – according to a recent ECJ decision. And when it comes to equal pay, human capital management would circumvent much of the discrimination debate – but cultural attitudes would need a seismic shift first.  Welcome to The People Bulletin!  Clarissa Dann