Gender quotas ”will not ensure equality”
Introducing gender quotas into the workplace would not be a good way of ensuring equality, according to one industry expert.
Robert Blevin, head of external affairs at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, said the company does not believe in such a method.
He added: "It is only by winning hearts and minds [and] changing attitudes that progress will be made."
Those in public sector jobs who are affected by equality issues may have been reassured to hear business minister Edward Davey say earlier this month that the government is very committed to ensuring diversity.
He stated that ministers want to lead by example and are keen to encourage businesses to remove obstacles restricting companies from benefiting from the skills and experience of women.
Earlier this month, Lord Davies of Abersoch was appointed to review how the government could eliminate obstructions which prevent females becoming directors of listed company boards.
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Can working too hard lead a business to burn out?
Those in public sector jobs and any other role that requires a range of skill sets may need to slow down in order to be more productive, one industry expert has suggested.
Dr Jochen Menges, human resources lecturer at Cambridge Judge Business School, has warned that employees who constantly push themselves at work could experience burn out if they do not have enough breaks.
"If that effort continues, then that takes a toll on the organisation and what it essentially leads to is what we call organisational burnout," he added.
Due to the hectic pace, employees' motivation can then dip which could lead to a deterioration in overall performance.
He recommended that people take occasional breaks in order to recoup the energy required for high intense periods.
One profession that requires its workers to clock long shifts is the medical industry - but doctors' working hours may be about to change.
The Royal College of Surgeons revealed research that suggested patients in hospitals are not as safe since 48-hour working week restrictions were introduced.
Employers ‘’should be paid for putting NEET people in jobs”
The government should pay employers that help disadvantaged individuals who are not in employment, education or training (NEET).
This is according to recent research from Demos - an independent think tank - that stated significant savings could be made as it costs the government £120,000 a year to support each young person who is NEET.
Public sector jobs may also be attained by those who are not in work and the group called for the jobseeker's allowance to be amended, which it claimed might encourage people to gain work experience and internships.
Julia Margo, director of Demos, said at-risk youngsters should be thought of as a non-graduate talent pool.
She added: "Internships are about who you know and what you know – you need contacts and qualifications. But they should be seen primarily as a way to learn."
This news comes after Christine Hodgson, writing for Human Resources magazine, noted recently that employers should be helping youngsters to capitalise on their skills, talent and enthusiasm.
Flexible working ”can contribute to UK’’s economic growth”
To improve the economy in the UK, it could be worth looking towards flexible working.
This is the opinion of Max Taylor, director of corporate marketing at Orange, part of Everything Everywhere, who noted that this type of labour could make staff more productive and "dramatically contribute" to the finances of the nation.
Bosses in or looking to gain public sector jobs may take heed of his advice, which has been backed up by research.
A report by the company revealed that 72 per cent of UK businesses believe flexible working boosts company morale.
These findings could also have some relevance to the public sector and last month Stephen Overell, associate director for The Work Foundation, noted that there will be many more types of this sort of employment introduced in the future.
He stated: "Employers have changed quite quickly over the last few years and flexible working is really not that old."
Employers need to help youngsters ”to capitalise on skills”
Employers should be playing a part in helping youngsters to capitalise on their skills, enthusiasm and talent, according to one writer.
Christine Hodgson, writing for Human Resources magazine, said by showing the younger generation what type of jobs are out there it could ensure they become more inspired.
She added: "Young people understand the challenge of change far better than we often think."
Providing chances for youngsters to sample the skills that matter "such as teamwork, presenting, active listening and analysis" is what is required, Ms Hodgson noted.
This could be done by making work experience, which could be carried out in the public sector, more of an attractive proposition by packaging it into an inspirational project as this might engage an individual far better than previous techniques.
In addition, the Commission for Employment and Skills noted that the majority of 80,000 businesses questioned in a survey were pleased with the number of young recruits, while it also revealed the amount of skill-shortage vacancies had dropped from 2007 to 2009.
