Winter Newsletter 2010

Branch update
CIPD Gloucestershire branch e-newsletter
Winter 2010
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A happy New Year to you all!

 
2010 has started with challenges, both weather-wise and for businesses everywhere.

All New Year resolutions have been broken already for me - without exception - but luckily I have a cunning plan to keep my CIPD moving on and it's so simple even I can manage it... to take advantage of all the interesting and enjoyable local events we have scheduled this year in our local branch.

So if nothing else is easy this year, at least I will be one year wiser on the Personnel and Development front.

Of course, now that I've shared my secret plan with you all, we might be having to put out a few extra seats, so book early to avoid disappointment!

Best wishes for the year ahead to all Gloucestershire members,

Rebecca Henderson (Gloucestershire Branch Chair - although feeling more like a generously stuffed sofa at the moment!)

 
Upcoming events
 
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We're kicking the New Year off with a variety of events and hope to see as many of you there as possible.

Firstly, on 16 February, we explore the high-profile subject of wellness at work, helping you to keep your workforce ‘fit and healthy’ for work.  When done well, this is a win-win area for employers and employees alike, and impacts on so many things from absence rates, employee retention, motivation and engagement, being seen as an employer of choice, performance, productivity and, of course, the bottom line.

Appealing to the coaching professionals amongst us, the Gloucestershire Coaching Network (GCN) is running a workshop on using NLP in coaching on 25 February.  You don't have to be a GCN member or even an experienced coach - the sessions have something for coaches at all levels of development or even interested hangers-on!  NLP is a fascinating subject in itself and Reb Veale of Reveal Solutions is guaranteed to make it even more interesting and meaningful.

We will be running our next very popular employment law update on 9 March, just in time to brief you on upcoming legislation changes (you see, this stuff isn't just thrown together!)  The employment law team at Rickerbys Solicitors will be covering the Equality Bill, the Government's review of the default retirement age, and changes to maternity and paternity leave.  They also promise a cure for the perennial headache of holiday pay entitlement for sick employees.

In April, the GCN is discussing Transactional Analysis (TA) in Coaching/Mentoring, an interactive session which will give us the opportunity to learn about TA in general and as it applies to coaching, and also our own preferences and drivers.  Led by John Ashford, an experienced coach and TA practitioner, this promises to be an evening full of insights.

 
What do you call an igloo with an outside toilet?
 
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An Ig. Get it? It has no loo.

OK, it's not a great joke, but then the recent (and possibly continuing) weather conditions haven't been for all of us either. Yes, it's beautiful, but it also affects our employees' and our own ability to get to work and, with so many schools closed, our working parents have hard choices to make.

As 'survivors' of the floods of 2007, we learned (many of us the hard way) about the value of Business Continuity Planning. The latest weather, combined with the continuing threat of swine and 'normal' flu, raises such plans to even greater prominence. If you have a Continuity Plan already, don't forget to keep it updated and check it's still covering everything it should be, and if you don't have one, do think seriously about investing the time in developing one.

CIPD has a great guide to risk and business continuity management. Alternatively, Business Link's website has a very useful crisis management section.

 
Future legislation - have your say
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Did you know that your local branch has the opportunity to comment on issues which might affect our roles in the future?

Our branch Policy Adviser is a dedicated committee member who provides an interface between the branch and the CIPD on all issues relating to the public policy agenda. In response to national requests for feedback on a range of professional knowledge areas across issues as diverse as dispute resolution, H&S strategy and wellnotes, she co-ordinates the views of Gloucestershire practitioners and provides a written response to the CIPD.

Such requests might come from the Government in the form of legislation consultations, or from professional bodies such as the Health and Safety Executive or ACAS.

So, if you would like to;

• be involved in shaping HR policy decisions as they evolve,
• have an early opportunity to support your business or your clients in preparing for the impact of any new legislation, and
• enhance your CPD,

why not join our mailing list by contacting our Policy Adviser, Jenny Nixon, through the contact us page?

 
 
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Don't forget to keep looking at the local Gloucestershire site as information is updated regularly, especially for events.

For example, we are still in the planning stages for a great joint event with Business Link and Gloucestershire Enterprise on the evening of 24th February.  We don't have enough information to tell you all about it now, but by the time the next Branch Newsletter is published in the spring it will be too late!

Why not add our events page to your Favourites?

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Is there anything we're missing?

If there is a subject that you would be interested in us covering at a new event then why not let us know through the contact us page?

We exist only to serve you, our local membership, and we can do this best when we get suggestions and feedback that can help us to continue developing and expanding our service.

 
 
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