October 2007

We are now in 'sicknote season' in the UK - defined as such because it is the longest stretch of work without a Bank Holiday. As such companies are being urged to recognise this fact, and be generous in allowing their workers more time off in the run up to Christmas. Of course companies could just stick to their holiday allowances, and they would be legally entitled to do so. But the fact is, the majority of the workforce will take some false time off during this time, so wouldn't it be better for morale to allow them a Christmas shopping day or a 'winter duvet day' - it could even be part of a retention strategy? This way it would be under control (to a certain extent), and would enable staff resource planning as opposed to getting the 'sickie' call early one morning causing a potentially damaging staff shortage.

Fish4Jobs have just completed a survey of workers, and 80% of the respondents admitted to feigning illness to take time off work leading up to Christmas. The top responses for missing work were:

1. Taking a sickie because of a hangover, and claiming it is a migraine
2. Taking a sickie to attend a job interview
3. Lying about the death of a relative to avoid work
4. Contracting a foreign disease on returning from holiday
5. Claiming a favoured family pet has died
6. Citing a DIY disaster, needed to have time off to repair or visit the hospital

But beware....38% of the respondents were caught out by a colleague!!

Martha Lane Fox, previously a co-founder at LastMinute.com,  and who is now a non-exec at Marks & Spencers, was recently waxing lyrical about branding and online social networking. She spoke at Retail Weeks 100 Club last week, and talked about making corporate sites more appealing and fun to use.

"Fundamental to the experience if the internet is how you build your brand within it and the internet is phenomenal at building networks. Social networking gives control back to the individual" , stated Martha.

So strong is the business community's belief in Martha with what she has achieved, the automatic assumption has already been made that Marks & Spencers will soon be adding to the world of social networking with a site of their very own!  (Although M&S deny this rumour - well they would wouldn't they?) And with the tremendous brand loyalty that M&S have, who can doubt it would be anything other than a success?

about Photo - Image When Peter Gold first made comment on an established recruitment advertising magazine - The Appointment, little did he know that he was soon to be taking part in a David and Goliath battle!

The owners of the Appointment took offence to Peter's blog, in which he dared to criticise them regarding recruitment advertising in the magazine. Then followed a solicitors letter from them, which Peter dealt with in the best way he knows how.........posting a reply on his blog!!!

Already looking forward to the next installment!!