Public policy perspectives are policy-focused reports, normally written by our Chief Economist John Philpott, drawing upon CIPD research. Written in an essay-style format, they aim to improve understanding of issues of public policy interest that are the subject of debate within and outside the HR profession. They provide objective, challenging and thought-provoking arguments to stimulate wider discussions by exploring the background to these topics.
List of issues in the series by date
Smart work: people, productivity and performance
This issue examines the productivity gap that exists between the UK and other countries and explains why effective people management is essential to productivity and performance. It calls for people management’s Cinderella status in policy debate to be addressed with some urgency.
Published: January 2006
The public policy agenda
This issue pulls together CIPD research and views on all aspects of employment policy. It addresses issues like the challenges of an aging workforce; a tight labour market; full employment balanced against record numbers of economically inactive.
Published: March 2005
Public services
Shows that many of the commonly expressed criticisms of the Government's 'spending plus reform' approach to improving the public services are unfounded. Offers suggestions for reform, in particular putting progressive people management at the heart of the reform process.
Published: Spring 2004
Europe
A timely piece looking at the pros and cons of the euro and Social Europe. It reviews the economic case for UK membership of the single European currency in the light of the recent Treasury assessment and offers a probing analysis of the European Social Model.
Published: Summer 2003
People management and the common good
Effective people management is important not only for the bottom-line performance of organisations but also the wider economy and society – the common good.
Published: Spring 2003
HRH – work audit
To tie in with the 50-year jubilee celebrations, it looks at how the world of work has changed since the 1950s. It covers how working patterns and the make-up of the workforce have changed. Also how work is organised, looking at areas including the psychological contract, job stability and work–life balance.
Published: Summer 2002
Productivity and people management
Addresses why raising productivity is important in people management, supported by evidence from different research projects.
Published: Spring 2002