How not to underestimate the cost of employee absence to your business
A new survey into sickness absence rates and costs highlights an upward trend in the number of sick days an employee typical takes, with many employers underestimating the cost of absenteeism, something Adrian Lewis from Activ Absence is urging employers to address. The research from XpertHR[i] shows that the UK’s median absence rate has risen slightly from 2.5% of working time in 2018, to 2.7% – translating to 6.4 days’...
Pandemic has reduced the stigma of unemployment
The global pandemic is helping to break the stigma of unemployment, according to new research from LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional network. While 82% of HR professionals believe there was stigma surrounding unemployment before COVID-19, nearly half (47%) say it has reduced since the pandemic. Just over a quarter (26%) believe it has stayed the same, and a fifth (21%) think it has increased. The study of 250+ HR...
Legal worries and mental health concerns mount as business leaders brace for redundancies
Despite the last-minute extension of the furlough scheme, new research conducted among UK business leaders has revealed that great concern remains around making redundancies and in particular the legal risk. Over a third (34%) say they worry about not following a fair and compliant process, potentially resulting in unfair dismissal or discrimination claims. This is greater than the 28% who said their biggest concern is breaking bad...
Carrier bags, nappies and socks: The weird things used instead of masks
Because wearing a regular face mask is just boring Some people are ignoring safety advice drummed into them since childhood and are wearing plastic bags over their heads as Covid-19 face masks. Since wearing one has become law in a bid to combat the virus, face masks have become just as essential as making sure you wear underwear when you leave the house, one health and safety company says. But some people ARE wearing underwear, just...
The employee engagement lessons we must all learn from the Covid pandemic
By Peakon Chief People Officer Rick Kershaw The COVID-19 pandemic has turned the modern workplace upside down. But there are positives to come out of this turbulent period. One big surprise for organisations is that, during this time, many employees started to feel more engaged at work. This was the primary finding of Peakon’s latest report: The impact of COVID-19 on employee engagement. We analysed more than 10 million Peakon...
How HR departments must adapt to the second lockdown
Shelley Frosdick, Managing Director and Director of Culture at The PHA Group The pandemic has had a seismic effect on the business world forcing large swathes of the working population to work remotely. After many businesses and workers had started to restore confidence in returning to offices, an order for many to work from home again and close physical stores or offices has been disheartening. So, what can businesses do to adapt to...
Employers must be prepared for ‘long Covid’ and the impact on their workforce
Towergate Health & Protection is seeing an increase in employers asking about how they can support employees with ‘long Covid’1 and this is set to continue. In the UK, 300,000 people have reported Covid symptoms lasting longer than a month2. The condition is only just beginning to be understood, and as cases of Covid-19 increase, this is likely to have a knock-on effect on the number of cases of ‘long Covid’. As such, all...
Three quarters of workers across the globe struggle as lockdown mental health pressures hinder work productivity
With lockdown restrictions being re-imposed across many countries, new insights from four major global markets, have revealed the significant impact they have had on office worker performance and productivity already. According to the new research over 4,000 office workers across UK, USA, Singapore and UAE, commissioned by Aetna International, a leading provider of health and wellness benefits and population health solutions...
4 things CEOs must consider to ‘COVID secure’ their organisation
With the UK lockdown scheduled to end in a matter of weeks, many businesses across the country are looking how to futureproof themselves in the lead up to Christmas. Many organisations have struggled and floundered during the initial peak of the virus. Yet business leaders continue to face unprecedented challenges. Even those who have weathered the storm so far have now discovered the critical importance of taking decisive, proactive...
Two-thirds of parents believe lockdown has helped their relationship with their children
The majority of parents believe the national COVID-19 lockdown has brought them closer to their children, a new survey has revealed.Carried out by Nannies Matter, the survey of more than 500 parents and individuals with childcare responsibilities has revealed that 82% of those polled feel they have been able to spend more quality time with their children as a result of the lockdown, while 63% believe their relationship with their...
New study reveals instant messaging services are key for SMES to thrive post Covid-19
Yell Business has today released new research into how small businesses have adapted to survive in light of Covid-19 and how the pandemic is changing the way businesses and consumers communicate. The new study reveals the scale of the challenge business owners have faced in recent months with three quarters (76%) of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) introducing a new service as a result of Covid-19. Of those SMEs introducing new...
The financial toll of Covid on employees and how employers can help
Talk Money Week 9-13 November Covid-19 is affecting employees’ financial health as well as their physical health. For Talk Money Week, Towergate Health & Protection is highlighting the wider and perhaps unexpected financial impacts of the pandemic and suggesting how employers are well placed to help. Brett Hill, distribution director at Towergate Health & Protection says, ‘We are outlining the financial concerns with which...
Nation suffering from more mental health issues ahead of second lockdown than during first wave of coronavirus pandemic
Forced to avert a rapid rise in coronavirus cases, Boris Johnson has announced a second national lockdown across England from Thursday. As the nation prepares to enter into this enforced month-long period of lockdown, symptoms of mental health issues are even higher now than they were during the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic. Research from 87%, a digital platform that provides mental health monitoring and support to...
Managing Remote Employees in the COVID Age
by Ofir Paldi, Founder & CEO of Shamaym The year 2020 brought with it many challenges on the international level – the world dealt with quarantines, social distancing and remote workers. In order to battle COVID-19, all of these measures were enacted to keep people physically safe and healthy. However, the challenge that it poses to businesses is how do they maintain a culture of positivity and cohesiveness when employees are...
Why managing stress must be a priority for employers during COVID-19
In International Stress Awareness Week (2nd – 6th Nov 2020)[i] Adrian Lewis from Activ Absence is urging employers to ensure they have effective systems in place to spot and manage stress in their workforce, especially as many are working remotely because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The latest October figures from the Office for National Statistics[ii] suggest that of the people who said their wellbeing had been affected by the...
