Opinion
7 tips for a successful end of year career conversation
Appraisals shouldn’t be a yearly nasty surprise. Dr Helmut Schuster and Dr David Oxley share how to make this a much improved situation Be honest, have you ever had a completely transparent, meaningful career conversation as part of a corporate appraisal process? Career or ‘development’ conversations have historically been attached to appraisal processes. How do you have a genuine conversation about careers when the subtext is that you are being measured and compared? Even for those businesses that separate development…
Stress management doesn’t have to be stressful
Understanding people’s stress can help managers and companies to support their staff, says Luke Smith In the 2023 State of the Global Workplace report, Gallup found that 52% of U.S. and Canadian employees reported feeling a lot of stress during the previous day at work. The poll found that the U.S. and Canada are tied with East Asia in having the highest percentage of workers reporting significant stress levels. High levels of stress lead to health problems, which can result…
How ambition around your DE&I plans drives employee engagement
Challenging the organisation to focus on purpose and consider everyone involved can bring all sorts of benefits and Yetunde Hofmann shares how As many consultancy reports and research pieces have shown over the years, DE&I is integral to organisational success. It drives innovation, creativity, commercial gains, and is also key to winning – and retaining – talent. But sustaining an organisation’s focus and drive around Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) plans can sometimes be difficult. Strategies lack direction, progress isn’t…
Adapting to change: making learning work in hybrid settings
Having an overview of different hybrid learning approaches is essential, and Ravinder Tulsiani helps us out In today’s corporate landscape the emergence of hybrid workforces has revolutionized how organisations operate. For Learning and Development (L&D) teams this shift brings unique challenges and opportunities. This article looks at the dynamics of hybrid workforces and shares ideas to elevate corporate learning in this new era. Going digital: the heart of hybrid learning In adapting L&D for hybrid work, embracing digital learning platforms…
Addressing gender disparity in engineering
Kerrie Doherty looks at the work being done to progress women’s careers in engineering It is well known in the engineering industry that there is a significant gender gap and a growing skills gap. These dual problems highlight the need for clearer opportunities for women in engineering and the vital role that employers have in supporting women’s careers. The following outlines some ways engineering employers can successfully carry out this crucial task. Each year in June, International Women in Engineering…
Professional apprenticeships – the way to improve social mobility
Young people face an uncertain future due to inequality, Nichola Hay suggests that professional apprenticeship offer real opportunities for the next generation to thrive At first glance, the latest annual State of the Nation 2023 report from the Social and Mobility Commission (SMC) could make for bleak reading for the UK’s younger generations. Pointing to stagnating wages and broader geographic inequality across the UK, Alun Francis, chair of the Commission, warned that Britain’s younger generation was at risk of being…
Joining the dots . . . on buying learning technology
This month Martin Couzins asks is there a better way for corporate learning buyers and vendors to do business? What does an L&D leader looking to invest in new learning technology do when faced with more than 400 brands to choose from? RedThread Research recently published a graphic of the learning technology landscape, featuring more than 400 vendors across 35 areas of functionality. The learning technology market is broad and growing – so lots of choice, but the reality is…
L&D’s role in sustainability in L&D – a well-being angle
The link between sustainability and well-being is clear, and here Jo Cook examines the evidence and urges L&D professionals to champion these vital areas into their strategy. Work-related stress, depression or anxiety accounted for 55% of all days lost due to work-related ill health The global pandemic has increased the need for well-being support for working age adults. The UK Health and Safety Executive reported that in 2021/22 work-related stress, depression or anxiety accounted for 51% of all work-related ill health and…
Unlock your organisation’s growth potential
Steve Macaulay offers some ways to ensure your organisation stays ahead of the game by investing in the people factors As businesses gear up for the future, HR and L&D have the expertise to play an important part in realising significant opportunities for growth. Low productivity has been a persistent issue, especially in the UK, so a renewed focus on HR and L&D holds a valuable key to unlocking the organisation’s untapped potential. “There is an untapped potential to boost…
The benefits of attracting disabled consumers
The culture of excluding the disabled is changing, Katy Talikowska looks at the barriers and how to break them down The representation of disabled consumers is no longer a mere suggestion for businesses. In addition to being a moral imperative, failing to account for the disabled population is a strategic business risk. With $8 trillion a year in disposable income, people with disabilities represent a largely untapped market opportunity. The disability community still faces major challenges that must be addressed.…
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