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Exciting news from the CIPD that conflict management is at the 'top of the agenda' is disturbing stuff. Apart from confirming Guru's view that most managers don't know their elbow from their armpits, the fact that they spend an average of 14 days trying to resolve problems by going down a 'formal route' suggests their HR departments...

Two shock stories in the national press today highlight the push-me-pull-you nature of management in these straitened times. First there was the CIPD survey, which revealed that a third of workers are concerned they might lose their jobs and that managers need to show true leadership to overcome this level of demotivation. Apparently, staff are working...

Guru is saddened to report that London's firefighters have decided to continue with their industrial action and plan to go on strike on Bonfire Night. However, he is more overwhelmed by the news that the 'fire service minister' is so surprised at the timing of the strike. Apparently, the stunned minister, Mr Bob Neill, is shocked that "this...

As public sector HR pros wait with a sense of dread for Chancellor George Osbourne's axe to fall, Guru can reveal the purse strings are already being tightened in one London council. Spotted in the Sutton branch of supermarket Morrison's one lunchtime was Dean Shoesmith , HR director at Sutton and Merton councils, buying biscuits and coffee...

Suitable outrage from the Daily Mail after it reported on ambulance service bosses spending £10,000 [of OUR money] on a staff questionnaire which asked them to rate how 'cool' Hitler was. The survey is part of a project to find out what makes a good boss and asked employees to rate how 'cool' different leaders were including Sir Richard...

The latest ridiculous tribunal ruling from across the Pond really does stink to high heaven. Susan McBride, a city planner in Detroit, has successfully sued the local authority under the Americans with Disabilities Act after suffering from breathing difficulties caused by a co-worker's perfume. Despite several reservations, the court concluded that...

We all have visions of how we'd like our own funeral to be; the type of coffin, the kind of music, where the wake should be. Guru wants to be cremated Wicker Man style, while Britt Ekland look-a-likes prance topless around the village green. For fencer David Jessup it was nothing quite as extravagant. His dying wish was to be carried to his funeral...