HR News

The CIPD has updated its guide Work Experience Placements that Work. It includes a clearer ‘quality charter’ for work experience, setting out what employers should put in and what participants should get out. It features practical steps, information on government initiatives, best practice case studies and advice on how to support, supervise and mentor young people.

Work-life balance is a key concern of HR management and HR lawyers from more than 40 countries according to Strategic Trends in National Laws and Multinationals’ Policies on Work-Life Balance and the Implications for Human Resources from the International Bar Association’s Global Employment Institute Balancing Report.

A brief summary of the main employment law and HR-related changes happening in April 2012 (with links to more in-depth coverage) and other developments on the horizon:

Latest information from five pay research organisations shows average pay deals for the three-month period ending February 2012 relatively stable, despite some indications earlier this year that the level of settlements may be on the up.

UK Consumer Prices Index inflation fell in the year to February 2012 to 3.4%. The Retail Prices Index (typically used in wage negotiations) stood at 3.7%. The detailed figures are as follows:

• The headline rate of inflation in February 2012 was 3.7% (down from the previous month’s 3.9%)
• The RPI for February was 239.9
• The underlying rate of inflation in February was 3.8% (down from the previous month’s 4.0%)
• .The Consumer Prices Index for February 2012 is 121.8, giving a percentage increase over the last 12 months of 3.4% (down from the previous month’s 3.6%)

See also Rates and Tables and the ONS Statistical Bulletin.