This week’s new in brief
Anti-bullying training
Unions are to be consulted on how Consignia managers are trained in an
attempt to radically overhaul the company’s bullying culture. Partnership
Boards, based in London, the Midlands and Scotland, will for the first time
give union representatives a say on how managers are trained. www.cwu.org.uk
HR team sacked
Walsall Council has sacked its entire management team, including the head of
personnel. The council’s elected members backed an Audit Commission report and
removed the six-strong management team including Deb Clarke, head of personnel
and development. www.walsall.gov.uk
HP suspends 150 staff
Computer company Hewlett Packard has sacked two members of its UK staff and
suspended a further 150 for e-mail abuse. The staff were ‘viewing and sharing
unauthorised and inappropriate material.’ The suspended staff are made up of 60
permanent staff and 90 contract staff. A company investigation is ongoing. www.hewlett-packard.com
Strike action ‘patchy’
More than half of local government staff ignored strike action last week,
according to the Employers’ Organisation for Local Government. The organisation
said the spread of the strike was patchy and most councils were able to manage
without too much disruption. Nationally, more than 75 per cent of schools
stayed open and the picture was similar for other services. www.lg-employers.gov.uk
University pay rise
Thousands of support staff in universities are set to receive pay increases
of up to 5 per cent. Universities have promised to introduce a new pay scale
from 1 August and have committed to reducing the working week in future. The
offer equates to between £400 and £500 a year extra for university workers
including caterers, cleaners, porters, security staff, and gardeners. www.tgwu.org.uk
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