HR Policy and Practice: Key Issues for 2007

Six key HR topics, 39 company case studies – all in one book

This new publication from IDS brings together six of the most popular titles that have appeared in the authoritative HR Studies series. It should prove invaluable as you prepare your HR agenda for the year ahead. Using detailed company case studies, all the titles focus on named examples of best practice and innovation.

Contents:

Absence management

Tackling absence is not always straightforward and much of it is unavoidable. Employers have to make sense of its many different forms, durations and causes to develop a range of proportionate responses. There is no single ‘right’ way of going about it. But the basic principle of treating employees fairly and consistently must underpin any initiatives that are taken … expanded summary

Employee recognition schemes – StudyPlus

Recognition schemes are often a key element of wider strategies for building corporate reputations and enhancing the ‘employer brand’. Formal recognition schemes give employers the opportunity to publicly acknowledge staff who have ‘gone the extra mile’. Employees who feel properly valued are likely to be more engaged, with consequent benefits for the business … expanded summary

Employer branding

In today’s highly competitive labour market, organisations are increasingly focusing on the concept of the ‘employer brand’ to underpin their efforts to recruit, engage and retain staff. Put simply, an employer brand captures the personality of an organisation, encapsulates what it has to offer as an employer and influences the way both potential and existing employees perceive it. A strong brand can bring coherence to an organisation’s values and people strategy, providing a platform for long-term business growth … expanded summary

Flexible benefits – StudyPlus

A flexible benefits package is more likely than a fixed package to meet the diverse needs and requirements of today’s workforce. The advent of salary sacrifice and easier administration means that more employers than ever are considering flex as a way of differentiating their reward offering from that of competitors … expanded summary

Job families

Companies seeking the flexibility to set pay levels according to the market while retaining a coherent grading structure are increasingly turning to a job family approach. A well-designed job family framework establishes clear career paths for employees, showing at a glance the potential for both promotion and lateral progression. This IDS HR Study examines how job families and career frameworks work in practice … expanded summary

Succession planning

In today’s fast-moving business world, there is always a need within organisations for a pool of talented leaders who can inspire others, tackle emerging challenges and find the best way forward. Succession planning and talent management programmes can help ensure that organisations have sufficient people of the right calibre and skills in place to take over the roles of senior colleagues as they retire or leave the business. This IDS HR Study reports on the different ways in which a range of employers organise and deliver succession plans … expanded summary