Now that the general election is over, many in HR may be wondering just how many of the government’s people-focused pledges will become a reality.
It’s undeniable that family-friendly policies and workplace rights have dominated the political agenda over the past few months as the main political parties seized on these issues as potential vote winners.
The government pledged a raft of initiatives to offer more support for working parents and improve work-life balance if it got back into power.
Post-election, the signs are positive for HR, as the key ministerial figures involved with employment matters were all safely re-elected (but let’s see whether they keep their roles post-reshuffle).
This week, we feature an exclusive interview with one of these figures, pensions minister Malcolm Wicks, where he sets out his plan for keeping pensions centre-stage and spreading the word to young people about the importance of saving for retirement. As pensions came top of your priorities in our recent reader poll, this is a positive message of support for HR.
It’s also good news that people issues were such a priority in the government’s manifesto. But these are issues that face businesses – and the HR departments that implement these policies – on a day-to-day basis, not just on the road to the ballot box.
Let’s hope the Labour government remembers that, and delivers on its promises.
Money talks at Home Depot
The fact that the HR director of US DIY store Home Depot earns $3.4m a year will prompt a few discussions about how much HR is worth.
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What’s even more interesting about Dennis Donovan is that his company is not paying lip service to the ‘people are our greatest assets’ platitude. It is actually putting its money where its mouth is.
Why aren’t more HR directors valued like this? Now that’s an interesting conversation to have with your chief executive.
