Three new research publications are now available from IDS HR Studies:
Bonus schemes
Bonuses and other financial incentives have been a permanent fixture in the news over recent months. In particular, the large sums paid out under many executive bonus plans - particularly in the financial sector - have come in for a great deal of criticism in the press. At the same time, many all-employee schemes have failed to pay out in the past 18 months. However, the basic premise behind bonus schemes that explicity align monetary reward with performance remains valid. We look at the design and implementation of bonus schemes and provide details of schemes in place at 23 named organisations.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships provide employers with an opportunity to bring young people into the business who are eager to learn and develop. They can also help alleviate skills shortages - supported by public funding, employers can grow their own workforce attuned to the needs of their businesses. Successful apprenticeship schemes can raise the level of skills, knowledge and competence of the workforce - and in so doing increase competitiveness and profitability. We consider the design and management of apprenticeship schemes, and provide detailed case studies on schemes at five named UK employers.
Flexible working
The number of employers offering their staff some flexibility over where and when they work has been rising steadily in recent years. And far from reversing this trend, it seems that the recent economic downturn has generated renewed interest in flexible working as a means of cutting costs while preserving as many jobs as possible. We discuss the case for flexibility, the different options offered by employers, the application process and managing flexible workers. The Study features case studies on flexible working at six named organisations.