(PR in) HR Pulse | HR News Round-up: 2nd – 8th January 2023
Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash
Anti Strike Law
In response to the number of strikes currently impacting the UK, the government is expected to introduce a new law allowing employers to take legal action against trade unions and fire staff. This would impact employees who don't provide a minimum level of service in the rail, health, education, fire, nuclear power, rescue sectors and the Border Force. The legislation will also make it more difficult for unions to strike by extending the notice period from 14 to 28 days. The government claims this is important to protect essential services and isn’t intended to penalise unions and strikers. However, the decision has been heavily criticised by union leaders’ claiming it is counterproductive when dealing with the cost of living crisis and goes against the right to strike. Source: Personnel Today and HR Magazine.
11% Pay Rise
Over a million Belgian workers will automatically gain a pay rise of 11% in January. This is an attempt to stay in line with inflation rates, coming after Belgium hit double-digits for four months, with the highest reaching 12.27% in October and landing at 10.35% in December. Source: Reuters.
Sainsbury Pay Raised To £11
Starting this February, Sainbury’s (and Argos) will be raising their hourly rate to £11 from £10.25 (£11.95 from £11.30 in London) for 127,000 workers in an aim to retain workers during the labour shortage and on-going strikes. The pay rise will cost the supermarket £185 million, but CEO Simon Roberts claims it is an essential investment to support workers during the cost of living crisis and has been praised by Usdaw’s national officer, Dave Gill for the grocer’s responsive attitude in helping workers. This pay raise is in addition to a previous £20 million invested in October, larger and longer December discounts and access to Salary Finance’s Pay Advance scheme. Source: Personnel Today and Employee Benefits.
Santander Drops 2:1 Requirement
Santander is planning to open up its Graduate Programme to an additional 64,000 people by dropping the 2:1 degree requirement. This is in response to official statistics that reveal 16% of graduates are leaving university without a degree higher than a 2:2. Ranked 40 of the Top 75 in the 2022 Social Mobility Employers Index, the bank claims to understand that although degrees are important, academic achievement is not the only factor to look at when searching for new talent, especially if committed to hiring from a wide range of class and socio-economic backgrounds. Source: Personnel Today and HR Magazine.
Career Scheme for Primary Schools
The government has announced a new £2.6 million primary school careers scheme for 55 disadvantaged areas in an aim to improve school outcomes and support more than 600,000 pupils in c2,200 schools. The Department for Education claims this programme will help children develop a stronger interest in the world of work, have aspirational career goals and allow young people from all backgrounds to engage with a wider range of career opportunities. The scheme requires schools to expose pupils aged 12 to 18 (Years 8 to 13) to a minimum of six opportunities to meet providers of technical education, including apprenticeships, T-levels and higher technical qualifications, along with a traditional academic route. Source: Personnel Today and HR Magazine.