Winter e-newsletter 2012

Branch update
CIPD Hereford and Worcester branch e-newsletter
Winter 2012
 
 

Welcome to the Hereford and Worcester Winter E-Newsletter

Well another year has passed and what an eventful one it has been.  The Default Retirement Age has officially been abolished; Additional Paternity Leave has come into force and Government ministers have now announced the outcome of the BIS Consultion on Resolving Workplace Disputes, which will reform the Employment Tribunal system.  Who was it said that a career in HR would be boring?  I beg to differ!

Anyway, back to the matter in hand, this e-newsletter is a one stop shop for an overview of the 2012 events diary, the outcome of the recent H&W Bursary Committee meeting and your SIG group updates.  Our H&W Events Co-ordinator, Penny West, has noted your suggestions and developed a tailor made events programme for the 2012 year which strikes an even balance between legal and practical updates from an incredibly broad array of businesses who have agreed to work in partnership with your branch to host these events.

On behalf of the H&W branch, I would like to wish all of our members a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  We look forward to seeing you at branch events in 2012.  Happy reading.

Leona Beech
 

 
Bursary Awards
 

The CIPD H&W Bursary Committee has recently convened in order to review the huge number of bursary applications we had received this year.

The branch would like to specifically thank our Treasurer and Bursary Co-ordinator Kate McClure, who did an exceptional job of organising (to the highest possible standard - spreadsheets and all) and conducting an initial review of all of the applications - as well as the lead CIPD tutors in the county's two colleges for their feedback and support.

The Bursary Committee made six awards in total, four awards of £100 and two awards of £50, which we hope will go some way to assisting the successful student members on their quest to become fully qualified HR professionals. 

 
Events Update
 

By now all of you will have received the brand new January 2012-December 2012 H&W events programme and handy diary stickers (no excuse for forgetting the date!).  As usual, our events co-ordinator Penny West has been working hard, having listened to your requests and suggestions, to organise a varied and topical 2012 events programme.

The 2012 events year will kick off with 'Performance Management and the Default Retirement Age - Six Months On' event, hosted on 7th February by the reputable CIPD Diversity Advisor Dianah Worman.  The remainder of the events calendar will see a varied mix of legal and practical events being organised, with a whole host of law firms offering their support to the branch, including national firms Eversheds and Plexus Law as well as local firm Harrison Clark, who collectively will ensure that the branch and its members are well informed of recent and forthcoming legislative changes and how to avoid any legal pitfalls.

In addition we are hosting a rare Corporate Social Responsibility event in conjunction with CSR expert Jo Sandford of Creating Synergy as well as 'the cutting edge of HR' event with speaking duties being undertaken by renowned resourcing and talent management expert Stephen Taylor.  The branch will of course also be providing a student specific event in conjuction with CIPD Chief Examiner David Farnham who will aim to furnish our student members with his top tips for the exam season.

Further details, including a full synopsis of imminent events, specific dates and venues, can be found on the H&W branch team website.  Members can also book a place or enquire about any of othe events via our branch administrator Fiona Ritchie (Telephone 07882 002969) or via the events section of our website www.cipd.co.uk/branch/hereford/events

Contact Fiona Ritchie

Book here for branch events

 
Dianah Worman Event

The CIPD's Diversity Advisor Dianah Worman will lead a session on 'Performance Management and the Default Retirement Age: Six Months On' on 7th February 2012.

The end of forced retirement for competent employees following the removal of the DRA last October raised alarm bells among some employers about managing the performance of older workers.  Six months on, were these fears justified or just panic?

What does good performance management look like and how can this be done safely without breaking the law?  Why did Government consult early in 2012 about introducing the concept of 'protected conversations'?  What was proposed and what was the reaction?

You can take part in a focus group discussion about some of the emergent challenges to share workable solutions.  Dianah will draw on the official ACAS guidance published to address the removal of the DRA; joint CIPD/TUC good practice; a tool on managing an ageing workforce which should be published early next year and expected consultation on protected conversations.

    Dianah is a highly regarded speaker who talks regularly on this subject so it's an event not to miss.   Book early to avoid disappointment.
 
 

Mock Employment Tribunal

The CIPD Hereford Group recently arranged a mock employment tribunal with Kidwells, an innovative Hereford based firm of solictors, and Hereford College.  Hereford College students acted on behalf of the claimant and the company, supported by Kidwells solicitors.  It was an excellent event and everyone who attended learnt much about the tribunal process.  Hereford Group members are now invited to suggest topics for future sessions.

Contact Alan Austin with your ideas austin529@btinternet.com, Tel: 07791 775612

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You can now sign up to receive fortnightly updates from your local branch. Your Branch Events is a fortnightly email containing the latest news and updates. This will act as an event reminder and will provide information on any last minute changes or cancellations.

Your Policy Update is a less frequent email providing the latest policy-related information and alerts about consultations. Anyone can subscribe to either or both email updates, from as many branches as they wish. 

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