The objectives of the report are to investigate how companies in three sectors: the automobile industry, the banking business and road haulage experience EMU with regard to the practicalities of the introduction of the EURO, industrial relations, pay, employment, working conditions, restructuring of
Industrial relations developments in Europe 2006 highlights the most significant industrial relations developments over the past year – both at national and EU level. It examines the key issues covered by collective bargaining – pay, working time, job security, training, and equal opportunities –
This comparative study examines the issue of gender and career development and explores the continuing barriers to achieving equality of opportunity in this area. Looking at the current European Union countries (with the exception of Sweden) and Norway, the study explores the extent to which career
The way to EMU has deeply changed the macroeconomic conditions of the British economy. This report looks at the main features of industrial relations in the United Kingdom. It analyses the impact on three sectors: banking and finance, automotive and road haulage, which have undergone or are
In the UK, debates about psychosocial risks in the workplace are led by the Health and Safety Executive [1] (HSE [2]), the national independent regulator for health and safety in the workplace. In consultation with the social partners, the HSE has developed an approach to psychosocial risks at work
During 2009, pension scheme deficits rose sharply largely due to reduced investment returns. According to estimates (21Kb PDF) [1] published by pensions advisers Pension Capital Strategies (PCS [2]), the deficit for all UK private sector defined benefit or final salary pension schemes (FSPSs) on 31
On 4 December 2009, the European steelmaker Corus [1] confirmed that it could no longer sustain the losses at its Teesside Cast Products (TCP [2]) business in northeast England. As a result, it announced that TCP’s Redcar blast furnace, Lackenby steelmaking plant and South Bank coke ovens would be
The system of general practitioners (GPs) issuing workers with a sick note if they are ill has not been changed since the National Health Service (NHS [1]) was established in 1948. However, in *a report entitled* Improving health and work: Changing lives (1.76Mb PDF) [2]*, published on 25 November
On 25 April 2007, the House of Lords issued a judgment (90Kb PDF) [1] in favour of 36 school-dinner ladies who were pursuing a claim for equal pay under the Equal Pay Act 1970 [2] against their employer, St Helens Borough Council. [1] http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200607/ldjudgmt
On 4 May 2007, managers at the Robbs retail store, in Hexham, set off a fire alarm to round up staff to announce their redundancy. The fire alarm at the Robbs store was deliberately set off to clear the multi-level building of shoppers, while staff made their way to the designated fire point. The
On 25 January 2007, a European Court of Justice (ECJ [1]) judgement [2] stipulated that UK pension rules offer inadequate protection for workers whose final salary pension schemes collapse. [1] http://curia.europa.eu/ [2] http://curia.europa.eu/jurisp/cgi-bin/gettext.pl?where=&lang=en&num
The leading fashion company Burberry had planned to move its production abroad and close its plant in Treorchy, south Wales, at the end of March 2007. Employees are angry at the move and argue that Burberry could afford to keep the factory open. Derek Walker, head of policy and campaigns at the
In recent times, trade union criticism concerning the power of private equity companies and their role in initiating redundancies has hit the headlines. In particular, Permira, Europe’s largest private equity firm, is one of several companies that have been targeted by the GMB general trade union.