July news in brief

Talent management the most critical HR consideration in Europe

According to a recent survey of 1,350 executives from 27 countries in Europe, European companies will face five major human-resources challenges in the future, and managing talent will be the most critical. The survey, by The Boston Consulting Group and the European Association for Personnel Management, also found that executives are more likely to approve of the performance of their HR departments if they have mastered basic HR functions themselves.

HR departments lack skills needed for talent-management development

Although the HR function is changing rapidly, 70 per cent of HR departments’ time is still focussed on more traditional activities such as record keeping and compliance, according to a study by Mercer Human Resources Consulting. The research also suggests that a lack of required skills and competencies among HR staff is inhibiting the development of the HR function, although 43 per cent of those surveyed saw their top priority as acquiring key talent.

Shell develops female talent

Shell is on track to ensuring 20 per cent of its senior management roles are held by women by 2008. In 2004, the company identified that only five per cent of its senior management team were women. HR service provider Ceridian has been working with Shell to encourage the rapid development of the company’s female employees.

BBC contemplates salary freeze

The BBC is poised to freeze the salaries of its highest earning talent as an investigation into the company’s pay structure is scheduled to start in July. Many industry observers view the announcement as a reaction to Gordon Brown’s decision to turn down the broadcaster’s plea for an interest plus one per cent rise in the television license fee. 

Pilat announces alliance with Center for Talent Retention

HR consultancy Pilat has announced an alliance with the Center for Talent Retention in a bid to launch its HR products. Pilat is looking to provide its clients with an integrated system of talent engagement and retention solutions.

Majority of companies fail to develop talented staff

Eighty-four per cent of companies admit talent lies undiscovered in their organisations, according to a survey conducted by psychology consultancy OPP. Although 94 per cent of companies believe employing talented people improves profit, 79 per cent don’t actively identify and develop talented staff. More worryingly, 98 per cent of those surveyed admitted to hiring people that haven’t lived up to expectations.

Recruitment difficulties double ‘golden handshakes’

Slowing increases in salary rates and an increased awareness of personal marketability have forced employers to offer extra cash payments and side benefits in order to improve their recruitment strategies. A study by the Chartered Management Institute found that almost a third of companies used golden handshakes to attract new managers in the year leading up to January, double the 16.2 per cent from the previous 12 months.

Majority of dads say no to paternity leave

A study by Adecco USA has found that 59 per cent of working dads would turn down paternity leave if it were offered to them. The study, published in May, found that the main reasons for this included fears it might harm their career and that they are too depended upon by co-workers and clients. Respondents showed a preference for flexible working hours, which would allow them to develop an individual work-life balance.