Publications

Social and demographic changes are involving an increasing number of families in caring responsibilities: for children, sick, disabled or elderly family members. Is this keeping skilled people out of the labour market? And what is the cost to employers in terms of productivity, sickness absence and staff turnover? This report examines the effects on employers of adopting carer-friendly employment practices, and concludes that there are clearly demonstrable business and competitive benefits to be had.

The National Record of Achievement was a document, in a nationally recognised format, issued to school leavers to set out their skills, experience and achievements. It could provide employers with a convenient and comprehensible record of what a job had applicant done and could do. This study, commissioned by the Department for Education and Employment, examined how employers were using the NRA, the ways they felt it could be improved, as well as the factors which inhibited wider use amongst employers.

Commissioned by Eurostat (the European Commission’s statistical body) the study represents a feasibility study into the ways in which high technology employment can be measured at the regional level across the European Union. The study examines a definition of high technology employment and then uses the UK Labour Force Survey to test the reliability of estimates based on this definition. This publication is no longer available.

This publication is no longer available. Commissioned by the ESRC, the focus of this study was on women’s careers in social science research. It assessed the situation of women researchers in social sciences, by sector and discipline. It examined issues of career prospects and barriers, as raised during interviews with women researchers at different stages in their careers.

As part of a review of the Noise at Work Regulations (1989) IES was commissioned to assess the costs and benefits to employers directly and indirectly arising from the regulations. The assessment was based on a postal survey of an achieved a sample of 1,889 organisations with five or more employees, supplemented by a literature review, follow-up telephone and face to face interviews with 51 respondents and more detailed case studies.

This study for the Health and Safety Executive aimed to evaluate the aspects of the Display Screen Equipment (DSE) legislation which were specific to the Regulations. The objectives of the study were to provide background information on the use of DSE; assess employers' understanding of the Regulations; review the nature and extent of the actions taken in order to comply with the Regulations; gather views of DSE users and explore the costs and benefits of the actions taken.

This qualitative study of sales assistants in the retail industry looks at the culture and competitive strengths in retailing, and the nature and impact of change in the industry. From this background the report explores employers' skills requirements and how they are changing. The study also addresses recruitment, and the assessment of whether individuals have the skills and abilities needed.

This report was published at a time of continuing employer appetite for flexible work arrangements, set against a background of legal and political uncertainty. It sets out arguments for and against outsourcing, and emphasises the need for careful evaluation of the benefits to be found, and the risks involved. This publication is no longer available.

Multi-source feedback, often called 360 degree review, is the process by which an individual manager receives personal feedback from more than one source (eg subordinates, peers, line manager and customers). This study examines the practical application of various forms of multi-source feedback in eight case study organisations including: the Post Office, BAA, Mercury Communications, Yorkshire Water, BT, and BP.

This publication is no longer available.