…in brief

This week’s news in brief

Call for improved pay

Local government employees believe better management and an end to pay cuts
and deteriorating conditions will lead to improved services, according to a
Unison report. Almost three-quarters of the 4,500 people taking part in the
survey believe workloads have increased in the past year and over a third
report cuts in staff numbers. "Staff working for local councils are doing
a good job, and want to do even better. But cutting their pay and conditions is
not the answer," said Malcolm Wing, Unison’s head of local government.  www.unison.org.uk

Benefits boost morale

More than 70 per cent of staff think benefits and incentives are important
to job satisfaction, according to research by online retailer peoplevalue.net.
The survey of 100 HR professionals found that this figure rose to 80 per cent
for employees under the age of 34. But the research revealed that younger
employees are often discriminated against in terms of benefits, with more than
three-quarters of firms providing full benefits to senior level staff only.  www.peoplevalue.net

Mencap finds job gap

Nearly 90 per cent of people believe those with learning disabilities are
employable, research by Mencap has found. The survey of more than 1,000 adults
showed that 87 per cent thought people with learning disabilities should be
able to work. But the charity said only 7 per cent of people with learning
disabilities actually have jobs. Richard Kramer, Mencap’s head of
communications, said, "There is still a long way to go before people with
learning disabilities are fully included in our society. But at least people
are beginning to realise that they can hold down jobs, benefit from education
and live independently."   www.mencap.org.uk

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Security is still vital

Job security is still seen as the most important factor in an employment
package, according 83 per cent of respondents to the annual Eden Brown
Employment Attitudes Survey. A total of 82 per cent think likeable colleagues
are important, 80 per cent chose money, 76 per cent equal opportunities and 75
per cent comfortable conditions. Just over one in five workers say they have
faced discrimination at work – 35 per cent on grounds of age, 23 per cent
gender and 11 per cent race.  www.edenbrown.co.uk