One in three UK businesses has experienced increased staff absence because of workplace stress in the past 12 months, according to a poll of 100 senior HR and finance executives by employee wellbeing firm vielife and London South Bank University. Ne  More...
28 July 2011 16:13

Although they are often seen as a good benefit, cash plans are not right for every business. Before you implement a cash plan in your organisation, ask yourself these questions: 1.  Why do I want to provide a cash plan? Do I want to give my  More...
26 July 2011 12:33

There has been a gradual but steady decline in absence levels over the past five years, falling from an average 4% of working time lost in 2006 to 2.8% in 2010. This is according to the 2011 XpertHR survey on staff absence rates and costs, which als  More...
29 June 2011 15:11

A slew of workplace absence statistics have come to differing conclusions about just how much sickness absence is costing the UK economy. The annual CBI/Pfizer "Absence and workplace health survey", which is traditionally one of the most respected s  More...
06 June 2011 08:32

The CBI claims that fit notes have failed to deliver a reduction in sickness absence, with its publication of new absence figures today. According to the CBI's Absence and Workplace Health Survey , conducted in conjunction with Pfizer, the  More...
12 May 2011 11:12

If employees suffer from insomnia, how can an employer manage the knock-on effects? Joanne Christie looks at the options and legal implications. According to a study published in the October 2010 issue of the journal SLEEP , sleep disturbances i  More...
03 May 2011 15:35

Nearly half of employers consider long-term sick leave to be a problem for their business, with more than a quarter admitting that it gives them a major staffing headache, a poll  carried out by health insurer Aviva has argued. Yet,   More...
22 April 2011 11:25

The Government has announced that it is to launch a major review into the sickness absence system in the UK. The outcome of this review could open up a world of opportunities for occupational health professionals, says Noel O'Reilly. Like politic  More...
31 March 2011 10:29

New guidance has been published today advising employers how they can help women who feel criticised for taking menopause-related sick leave and are embarrassed about discussing the issue. The TUC has released the guidance to coincide with Internati  More...
08 March 2011 13:16

An online search for "workplace stress" returns an indigestible 1.5 million results, so whether you are suffering from it or managing it, there is an almost inexhaustible array of resources at your disposal.  But stress is just one area o  More...
01 March 2011 10:35

The Government has announced "a major review" of sickness absence in the UK , as well as committing itself to spending an extra £12 million on health and work programmes, including the Fit for Work service. The independent review will be led by natio  More...
24 February 2011 15:26

A review into sickness absence, announced today as part of the Government's welfare reforms, has been welcomed by business groups. Personnel Today revealed exclusively last week that the Government would be launching a review into sickness absence,  More...
17 February 2011 14:31

Men who get stressed at work are more likely to catch common colds and sniffles, new research suggests. The study, published in the Society...  More...
01 February 2011 12:04

As many as 30% of NHS staff who take sick leave are having to wait for 12 weeks before being referred to occupational health, while 5% are sitting around at home for six months or more, the latest national clinical audit of the profession has conc  More...
01 February 2011 10:56

Another outbreak of Swine flu has hit the UK, and is expected to hit employees and employers severely.  With significant rise in the number of flu cases , including the H1N1 "swine flu" virus, the focus for everyone – especial  More...
05 January 2011 09:43

With Christmas only three weeks away, Personnel Today and XpertHR present a seasonal feast of employment related questions, case studies and advice on everything from managing the office Christmas party to employing seasonal temps...   More...
02 December 2010 16:56

Snow, ice and extreme temperatures continue to plunge the UK into chaos, meaning that HR and employers have more people-related challenges than usual regarding: absence and attendance, pay, leave, health and safety and the rights of their staff.   More...
01 December 2010 15:54

Employers that force staff to work on April 2011's extra bank holiday will create "huge resentment" among their workforce, the TUC has warned. Warning: there will also be an additional bank holiday in 2012 In 2012 there will be a  More...
26 November 2010 12:45

More than half of employers with access to OH professionals rate their expertise as one of their three top tools for managing long-term absence, according to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development ’s annual absence survey. Th  More...
25 November 2010 13:55

Employers have reported stress as the most common cause of long-term sickness absence, according to research published today. The joint survey, by the CIPD and healthcare provider Simplyhealth, found that more than one-third (35%) of employers report  More...
25 October 2010 10:15