This week’s news in brief
2003 highlights
What were the key moments of 2003 and what are your hopes or fears for next
year? We want to hear about the defining HR moments of 2003 and what they have
meant to you and your job. We’d also like to know your favourite Personnel
Today articles and what you’d like to see more of.Â
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UK buoyant
The UK has the most buoy-ant economic outlook since 1996, according to 68
per cent of senior decision-makers in the latest annual pan-European UPS Europe
Business Monitor. But they have also predicted that companies could face a
fat-cat cull if profits fall. Â www.personneltoday.com/news
Disability rights
Staff suffering from HIV, cancer and MS could soon have the same rights as
disabled workers under new legislation announced by ministers. The Draft
Disability Discrimination Bill will also extend the rights of disabled people
at work. Â www.dwp.gov.uk
Christmas post threat
The Communication Workers Union has authorised strike ballots in 120 key
postal offices across London, putting Christmas mail deliveries in doubt. Union
leaders are threatening industrial action on 20 December in a dispute over
overtime pay. There are already strikes planned for 19 and 22 December
regarding London Weighting allowances. Â www.cwu.org.uk
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High cost of Xmas
UK staff will cost employers £769m in lost working hours this Christmas as
they prepare themselves for the festive season. The survey of 4,346 people by
recruitment website reed.co.uk claims more than half of all employees will
spend time organising their seasonal festivities when they should be working. Â www.reed.co.uk
