HR
Seeing is believing
Jessica Mullinger says that despite having more access to information in front of us than ever before, the art of hiring the correct person to an interim role still requires a lot of discernment and a little bit of intelligence.
Bringing beauty back to life
How do you attract people to live and work in one of the loveliest places in Britain? That has been the big challenge facing the Isle of Wight Council and our partners in their drive to regenerate the economy of the South East’s smallest county. Dave Stewart explains.
Millennials – love them or hate them?
The term millennials is being used and adopted more frequently around talent attraction and development strategies. This is hugely positive and encouraging to hear, however, far too often it is being used in a negative and derogatory way.
Building a future
Women working in the construction industry are very much in the minority, but they could be a valuable source of much-needed skills especially post-Brexit. Mark Whitehead reports on a round table discussion attended by executives from industry and Waltham Forest LBC to provide some answers
Appointment panels hold unconscious bias
Ian Thomas demands proportionate positive action to increase diversity in leadership positions.
Council withdraws from partnership to concentrate on transformation
Surrey CC’s human resources (HR) and organisational development (OD) departments have withdrawn for at least a year from a three-council partnership as the authority concentrates on transformation.
Are council chiefs much different from football managers?
Blair McPherson looks at the delicate relationship between council leaders and chief executives and compares it with that of the manager and chairman of a top flight football club.
A whole new world
The world of ‘people management’ is full of outdated ideas, terms and operational models and the profession needs to prepare for a brave new future says Colin Williams, who is looking for people to ‘lead the charge’ when it comes to helping shape the next stage of HR.
Birmingham faces grievance complaint amid senior staff restructure
Birmingham City Council has launched a senior management restructure as part of the new chief executive’s efforts to improve the authority.
Challenges for London HR heads
Staff turnover, retention, skill shortages and culture change were among the issues discussed by a recent meeting of London HR heads chaired by The MJ’s Michael Burton who reports on the key conclusions.
The rewards of new approaches to training
Kath O’Dwyer reflects on how a dedicated approach to training and staff welfare is reaping dividends for the organisation in relation to both the recruitment and retention of staff.
Procurement leaders: from steward to taskmaster
Today’s procurement officers must now be able to understand how to wield data, create and lead talented teams and focus on adding strategic business benefit, writes Richard Guest.
Why the sector can benefit from the millennial touch
Toni Hall comments on key research carried out at the recent Local Government Association conference, and the call to action around the ageing workforce.
Building in inclusivity
We are starting to see some green shoots on the diversity agenda, but Karen Grave believes initiatives alone are not enough to build inclusive cultures.
The diversity challenge
How can council workforces become more diverse, especially at the top? A group of senior local government directors and chief executives debated the challenges at a round table debate hosted by The MJ and Green Park. Michael Burton reports.
Diversity – reform starts here
Mark Greenburgh examines the results of a recent national LGBT survey and muses on how this may impact the local government sector.
Can you be a top director?
There is a huge gulf between being a manager and being a director. Blair McPherson discusses how best to approach the delicate balancing act of being a senior officer.
Lonely at the top
Alan Goodrum gives his thoughts on how to survive – and even thrive – in the often tricky role of chief executive.
Understanding children’s social care
The post of director of children’s services is arguably the most highly-scrutinised in local government and is invariably among the most challenging to recruit to, says Tim Hills and Philip Emms.
A contact sport
The BASW is taking the lead in highlighting the relationship issues social workers are encountering, in particular the struggle to make regular face to face contact with children. Maris Stratulis explains.