29 April 2020
The global insurance group conducted its worldwide ‘Checking’ survey between 20 and 24 April in an attempt to gauge the state of mind and morale of its staff during this unprecedented period of history that has seen a large proportion of the workforce teleworking. ‘Checking’ is a short survey (4 questions) and replaces the first survey of the year which was due to take place in March but which was cancelled. The questions asked try to ‘take the pulse’ of its staff and assess whether employees feel well...
22 April 2020
Volkswagen Group’s Spanish car producing subsidiary Seat, has announced it will carry out mass screening of its assembly line staff. Testing will be carried out gradually at a rate of 3,000 per week in line with the rate of business resumption, which has been shut down since 16 March following the declaration of a state of emergency and the nationwide lockdown of the country. The company plans to recommence production from 27 April, starting with a third of its usual activity. The 3,000 employees initially...
21 April 2020
In the wake of the sudden rise in Covid-19 cases, and PM Shinzo Abe’s announcement on 07 April that Japan was entering a state of emergency, twice as many businesses as before have been putting telework arrangements in place. Notwithstanding the increase, hesitancy remains in undertaking what is still an uncommon form of working arrangement in Japan.
20 April 2020
As is the case in most parts of the world, companies in Poland are experiencing an accelerated digital transformation. The presence of new technology has reached a whole new level, serving not only as a tool for optimisation and development but also proving to be a critical resource for keeping business going during the health crisis.
6 April 2020
Taiwan is one of the countries that has been least impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. The island off the coast of China has recorded only 339 infections (as of 2 April), the vast majority of which are imported cases, and the Taiwanese population has not gone into lockdown. So far, no company located in the state has been requested to close its doors. However, in line with the government’s efforts to stem the epidemic before it spreads across the country, companies are being encouraged to review their management...
20 March 2020
The US HR software company Workday announced on its blog on 16 March that its some 10,000 workers would receive a one-off payment, equivalent to two weeks’ wages, to help them deal with the repercussions of the coronavirus outbreak. This measure, which will cost the company around $80 million (€73.3m), concerns all employees, except for executives. Payment is expected to be made by 30 April. A special fund to help those employees most in difficulty will also be created. Also as part of efforts to limit the...
13 March 2020
Since 09 March more than 500 staff at the Japanese carmaker Nissan’s plant in the UK’s north-east region of Sunderland will have access to free sanitary protection in the company’s toilets. The car giant has just joined a local UK trade union (Unite) campaign. Called the ‘Period Dignity Campaign, it was launched during the summer of 2019 and aims to encourage all employers to make sanitary protection freely available in toilet facilities, just like toilet paper. Another key point of the campaign, is to...
16 December 2019
With the festive season fast approaching, a digital marketing start-up in the north-west of England has attracted attention for offering its employees “hangover days”. The idea behind the policy at Bolton-based The Audit Lab is to allow employees who have perhaps had one too many the night before to work from home, multiple times throughout the year. Claire Crompton, co-founder and director of The Audit Lab, explains: “We wanted to offer something to younger millennials who typically go out mid-week. My team...
22 November 2019
From banking group HSBC to supermarket chain Sainsbury’s and professional services group PwC, more and more UK companies are now talking about the sensitive topic of menopause and the need to put in measures to support those employees affected. Their aim? To prevent any kind of stigmatisation of women, as well as to avoid mass departures and potential legal action. Planet Labor has spoken to two experts on this issue, which has now become unavoidable for HR departments in the UK.
6 November 2019
HR divisions able to pilot transformation processes: it is with this ambition in mind that Xavier Chéreau has positioned the French automaker’s HR function as a strategic partner in driving transformation change. In an interview with Planet Labor, the HR head explains how and where the division should position itself as a strategic business partner and become entrusted with the...
