Unemployment set to reach 2 million

The UK is on the brink of a technical recession according to the British Chambers of Commerce, which is predicting a hike in unemployment rising to over 2 million.   According to the BCC's quarterly economic forecast, the jobless count is likely to increase as the UK faces the very real possibility of a technical recession.
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Source HR Zone

Manufacturing recession

Britain's manufacturing sector will enter a technical recession in the next 3 months if output continues to fall, which could cost 36,000 jobs according to the CBI.
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Source The Recruiter

Daventry Metal source scarce skills

Daventry Metal Products in Northamptonshire, one of the largest privately owned 2nd tier automotive  manufacturers in the country, have struggled to source scarce skills from the local recruitment pool.
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Celebrity chef traits found in office

From the fiery Gordon Ramsay to the 'search for perfection' Heston Blumenthal, workers everywhere can be compared to chefs according to a new survey....
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Souce HR Zone

Handling redundancies when times get tough

As the credit crunch continues to take hold, organisations are inevitably considering the prospect of redundancy.  Martin Warren advises on the correct procedures to follow to ensure employers don't fall foul of the law.
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Source HR Zone

Woman win landmark equal pay battle

Thousands of female workers have won the right to challenge their employers if they are paid less than their male colleagues.    
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Source The Times

Guide to avoiding employment tribunal claims
The number of employment tribunal claims rose by one third last year, according to the Tribunal Services's Annual Report, up to 189,348 compared with 143,474 last year. Here's a few pointers to help you stay on the right side of the law and stay out of court.
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Source The FPB

Powernap calls shakes nine to five

The Sleep Council has suggested that businesses may get more out of their employees if they allow an afternoon 'power nap'. The comments arose following a survey which found a quarter of British workers admit to taking days off due to exhaustion. 
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Source HR Zone

This Month’s
Business Round-Up

GlaxoSmithKline is to shed 55 of the 300 jobs at its pharmaceuticals plant in Montrose.
GlaxoSmithKline, Stockley Park West, Uxbridge, UB11 1BT
Tel: 020 89909000
http://www.gsk.com
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Aker Solutions is to create about 70 new jobs at its Teesside-based engineering business over the next few months.
Aker Solutions, Howe Moss Ave, Kirkhill Ind Est, Aberdeen, AB21 0GP
Tel: n/a
http://www.akersolutions.com/
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Global EPP, the Leicester-based engineering plastics company, has been bought out of administration by Schwartz Technical Plastics of Germany, securing the future of 80 jobs.
Global EPP, 55 Forest Road, Leicester, LE5 0DW
Tel: 0116 2615400
http://www.globalepp.com/
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Waterford Wedgwood is considering plans to shed up to 250 jobs at its pottery operations across the country, which will affect the 1,500-strong workforce in Barlaston.
Waterford Wedgwood, Barlaston, Stoke-on-Trent, ST12 9ES
Tel: 01782 282686
http://www.waterfordwedgwood.com/
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TES (NI) is to invest £4.4m in the expansion of its electrical control panels manufacturing business in Cookstown, County Tyrone, with the creation of 45 jobs.
TES NI, 18 Derryloran Ind Est, Cookstown, Co Tyrone, BT80 9LU
Tel: 028 86761141
http://www.tes-ni.com/
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Fluor Corporation, the US engineering company, is in negotiations to set up a 200,000 sq ft distribution centre at Segro's IQ scheme in Farnborough by 2010.
Fluor Corporation, Portland Hse, Bressenden Place, London, SW1E 5BH
Tel: 020 79321700
http://www.fluor.com/
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Unifix is said to be planning to relocate its fixtures and fastenings manufacturing business and up to 65 staff from Smethwick to Leamington Spa.
Unifix, St Georges Hse, Grove Lane, Smethwick, West Midlands, B66 2QT
Tel: 0121 6090099
http://www.unifix.co.uk/
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Cains, the Liverpool-based brewery with 1,000 staff, has gone into administration through PricewaterhouseCoopers and a buyer is being sought.
Cains, Stanhope Street, Liverpool, L8 5XD
Tel: 0151 7098734
http://www.cains.co.uk/
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Long Clawson Dairy is considering plans to close the cheese factory in Hartington, Derbyshire, that was recently acquired from Dairy Crest, with the loss of up to 180 jobs.
Long Clawson Dairy, Long Clawson, Melton Mowbray, Leics, LE14 4PJ
Tel: 01664 822332
http://www.clawson.co.uk/
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Northern Foods is planning to invest £40m in the expansion of its biscuit manufacturing facilities in either Batley or Uttoxeter by 2011, but the other site will close.
Northern Foods, 2180 Century Way, Thorpe Park, Leeds, LS15 8ZB
Tel: 0113 3900110
http://www.northern-foods.co.uk/

For more business round up click here