A round-up in brief of HR related news stories collected from the main news sources on the web. Where possible links to the original stories have been included, but please note that maintenance of these sites is with the news source and links cannot be guaranteed. The weekly watch is updated frequently throughout the month.

Other important HR features can be found in the News section

28 February

Job losses at Bradford and Bingley inevitable, say city analysts

Bradford and Bingley’s wave of job cuts and branch closures was inevitable, city analysts have told Ananova.

For more, visit Ananova

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28 February 2001

Bookmaking jobs ‘threatened by racing ban’

Bookmakers fear betting Northern Ireland industry jobs could be at risk if the ban on horse racing over foot-and-mouth continues for weeks.

For more, visit Ananova

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28 February 2001

Around 300 jobs to go as Bradford & Bingley shuts branches

Bradford and Bingley is set to shed about 300 jobs and shut 68 branches – despite recording a 25% rise in full year profits.

For more, visit Ananova

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28 February 2001

Text messaging lures jobhunters

The mania for text messaging is providing a recruitment company with a discreet way of attracting new staff.

For more, visit Ananova

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27 February 2001

Meat processing workers laid off

More than 800 workers face uncertainty following the foot-and-mouth crisis.

For more, visit Ananova

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27 February 2001

Business set to re-boot the internet revolution

A study says British companies will catch a second wave of e-business in the next few years.

For more, visit Ananova

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27 February 2001

Online supermarkets deliver hassle

A study suggests that online supermarket shopping is not as hassle free as it seems.

For more, visit Ananova

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23 February 2001

Thousands strike at Vauxhall plants

Thousands of Vauxhall workers have walked out on strike as part of a campaign to save the Luton vehicle assembly operation.

For more, visit Ananova

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23 February 2001

Polaroid to cut 230 jobs in Scotland

Polaroid is to cut 235 jobs at its factory in Dumbarton.

For more, visit Ananova

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22 February 2001

Industrial action to start at Vauxhall’s factories

Vauxhall will start to be hit by industrial action today as part of a union campaign against the ending of vehicle production at one of the firm’s UK factories.

For more, visit Ananova

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20 February 2001

180 jobs to go in vegetable factory closure

Nearly 200 food industry workers are to lose their jobs after the Albert Fisher Group announced it is to close its Grimsby frozen vegetable processing factory.

For more, visit Ananova

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20 February 2001

Extra South Wales industry body blow as 304 jobs are axed

More than 300 south Wales manufacturing workers are to lose their jobs.

The announcement follows Monday’s announcement that 201 staff will be laid off at the KTH pressure die-casting plant in Llanidloes, Powys.

For more, visit Ananova

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20 February 2001

200 jobs lost as foundry shuts

Two hundred metal foundry workers have been their factory is to shut.

For more, visit Ananova

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18 February 2001

Government to pay paternity leave

Tony Blair said the Government intends to introduce paid paternity leave for new fathers.

For more, visit Ananova

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18 February 2001

Man crushed to death in factory

A 45-year-old man has been crushed to death when heavy machinery fell on him in Lancashire.

For more, visit Ananova

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18 February 2001

Employees may be allowed time-off to pray

The UK government is planning to introduce laws to protect people from religious discrimination.

For more, visit Ananova

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16 February 2001

Union produces ‘secret’ Rosyth document

The document union leaders claim proves the Rosyth dockyard is to be scaled down, putting more than 1,000 jobs at risk, has been revealed

For more, visit Ananova

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16 February 2001

Future names the titles to close

Bosses at the beleaguered magazines group Future Network have told staff which titles face the axe.

For more, visit Ananova

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16 February 2001

Rolls-Royce workers in ‘dress down’ protest

White-collar workers at a Rolls-Royce engineering factory are wearing jeans and T-shirts and refusing to answer phones as part of a dispute over jobs.

For more, visit Ananova

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16 February 2001

Future Network shares plunge again as it wields axe

Shares in Future Network, which publishes the official Play Station and Manchester United magazines, are on the slide again as it takes a knife to its operations around the world.

For more, visit Ananova

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16 February 2001

Union leaders demand answers on Rosyth

Union leaders are pressing armed forces minister John Spellar for answers over allegations that more than 1,000 jobs are to be cut at the Rosyth naval base.

For more, visit Ananova

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16 February 2001

Playstation magazine firm axes jobs

Future Network, which publishes the official PlayStation and Manchester United magazines, is to cut around 90 jobs in the UK.

For more, visit Ananova

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16 February 2001

Motorola workers facing uncertain future

Workers at telecom giant Motorola are facing an uncertain future after the company warned that jobs may be axed to cut costs.

For more, visit <a href=at http://www.ananova.com/business/story/sm_209750.html target=_blank>Ananova

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16 February 2001

Finance firm denies Indian names policy is racist

A finance firm has rebuffed claims by trades unions and anti-racism groups that asking Indian workers to change their names to English-sounding ones may amount to racism.

For more, visit Ananova

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15 February 2001

Jobs fear as Motorola seeks to cut costs

Workers at Motorola’s Swindon plant have been warned jobs may be axed as the firm seeks to cut costs.

For more, visit Ananova

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15 February 2001

Vauxhall workers in strike protest

Thousands of workers at Vauxhall are to strike next week in protest at the ending of car production at Luton.

For more, visit Ananova

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15 February 2001

Sun Life Canada to cut 1,700 UK jobs by 2003

Sun Life Financial Services of Canada says it intends to reduce its UK workforce from around 2000 to approximately 300 by the end of 2003.

For more, visit Ananova

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15 February 2001

Stop job cuts at Rosyth, say union chiefs

Unions are claiming that ‘secret’ plans to cut around 1,300 jobs at a Scottish dockyard would be devastating.

For more, visit Ananova

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15 February 2001

Indian call centre staff told to change names – claim

A finance company is being accused of telling its Indian call centre staff to use English names because their own are considered unsuitable for western customers.

For more, visit Ananova

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15 February 2001

Union claims massive Rosyth job cuts planned

Unions claim plans are being drawn up for massive job losses at the Rosyth naval dockyard in Fife.

For more, visit Ananova

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15 February 2001

Unions warn of defence jobs risk

Trade unions claim hundreds of jobs in the defence industry are at risk under secret Government plans to scale down the Rosyth naval dockyard.

For more, visit Ananova

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15 February 2001

Rosyth reduced to just one dock, say unions

Unions claim around 1,000 jobs will be lost at a Scottish dockyard under secret government plans.

For more, visit Ananova

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14 February 2001

BA staff in Glasgow to be balloted on industrial action

British Airways staff at Glasgow Airport are to be balloted over industrial action following the sacking of a union representative.

For more, visit Ananova

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14 February 2001

Steel firm to consider plan to avoid jobs axe

Corus has agreed to consider alternative proposals to the 6,000 job losses it is planning.

For more, visit Ananova

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14 February 2001

EXi Telecoms boss says he will help steelworkers

Bosses at EXi Telecoms have rejected claims by steel unions that their scheme has nothing to do with saving steelworkers’ jobs.

For more, visit Ananova

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14 February 2001

Corus says it welcomes EXi initiative

Welsh steelworkers and union officials have rubbished claims that a North-West telecoms company will be able to offer jobs to staff laid off by Corus.

For more, visit Ananova

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14 February 2001

Women’s minister accused of patronising females

The Minister for Women has been accused of spending £100,000 to give women highly patronising job-seeking advice.

For more, visit Ananova

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14 February 2001

Jobless numbers lowest in 25 years

Unemployment has fallen to its lowest rate for 25 years, according to one of the major measures.

For more, visit Ananova

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13 February 2001

Call for rate cut after inflation hits 25-year low

The Bank of England is facing demands for another cut in interest rates after the underlying rate of inflation hit a 25-year low.

For more, visit Ananova

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13 February 2001

Man from the Pru ‘alive’ despite 2,000 job cuts

Insurance giant Prudential is insisting the Man from the Pru is still alive – even though the firm has made 1,400 salespeople redundant.

For more, visit Ananova

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13 February 2001

CBI says more interest rate cuts likely

The Confederation of British Industry says the fall in inflation to a record low could herald a further cut in interest rates.

For more, visit Ananova

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13 February 2001

Inflation at lowest-ever recorded rate

The underlying rate of inflation fell in January from 2% to 1.8%.

For more, visit Ananova

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13 February 2001

BT cuts jobs at internet division

BT is reportedly cutting one in five jobs at its main internet business.

For more, visit Ananova

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13 February 2001

Figures set to show drop in inflation

Official figures being published later are expected to show that inflation edged down again last month.

For more, visit Ananova

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12 February 2001

ABN Amro refuses to comment on job cut claim

Dutch merchant bank ABN Amro is to announce a reduction in its staff numbers worldwide, City sources claim.

For more, visit Ananova

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12 February 2001

Daewoo to axe 187 jobs in UK

Daewoo is to axe another 187 jobs at its UK technical centre in a further move to cut costs.

For more, visit Ananova

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12 February 2001

Call centres staff urged to shop bad bosses

A new report shows standards in call centres are rising but workers still earn £9,000 less than the average wage and complain of health problems and poor working conditions.

For more, visit Ananova

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11 February 2001

Summerhouse sub-post office couple retire

A couple who have run a village sub-post office from a summerhouse in their back garden for 44 years has retired.

For more, visit Ananova

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11 February 2001

Unions to present steel jobs rescue package

Union leaders are set to present Corus with a rescue package aimed at saving most of the 6,000 jobs the company aims to cut over the next few years.

For more, visit Ananova

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10 February 2001

Shout case pilot dies after winning job back

A British Airways pilot sacked for shouting at a hysterical female passenger has died weeks after winning his job back.

For more, visit Ananova

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09 February 2001

MPs’ pay to rise to £49,822

MPs have been awarded a 3% pay rise, taking a backbencher’s salary to £49,822 from £48,371.

For more, visit Ananova

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09 February 2001

Council to cut 450 jobs

Hundreds of council workers in Barnsley are to lose their jobs because of budget cuts.

For more, visit Ananova

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09 February 2001

250 jobs to go at Land Rover

Land Rover is to cut up to 250 jobs at its Solihull plant in the West Midlands.

For more, visit Ananova

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08 February 2001

Use of ‘cheap’ Romanian labour angers union

Moves by a marine engineering firm to import “bargain basement” Romanian workers to an unemployment blackspot have angered union leaders.

For more, visit Ananova

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08 February 2001

Jobs threat as receivers called in to bookmakers

Administrative receivers have been called in to Bristol bookmaker Firststake putting jobs at stake

For more, visit Ananova

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08 February 2001

Business chiefs hope for more of the same

Business chiefs are hoping today’s cut in interest rates will be the first in a series over the next few months.

For more, visit Ananova

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08 February 2001

Bank’s caution will cost thousands of jobs

Union leaders have joined business chiefs in welcoming the cut in interest rates, but some say the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee should have gone further.

For more, visit Ananova

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08 February 2001

Rate cut boost for homeowners

Homeowners will cheer the Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee’s decision to cut interest rates as the drop is set to shave nearly £10 off the average monthly mortgage.

For more, visit Ananova

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08 February 2001

Bank of England cuts interest rates

The Bank of England has moved to protect Britain from the fall-out from the rapid economic slowdown in the United States, shaving a quarter-point off interest rates.

For more, visit Ananova

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08 February 2001

Cammell Laird seeking urgent backing for cruise ship deal

Cammell Laird has warned Trade and Industry Secretary Stephen Byers it must have a decision by next week on financial assistance to help it secure a £345 million cruise ship order.

For more, visit Ananova

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07 February 2001

Unions set to call off two tube strikes

The London Underground unions are preparing to call off their two remaining 24-hour strikes after receiving assurances on safety from Bob Kiley, the capital’s Commissioner for Transport

For more, visit The Times

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07 February 2001

Deadline set for deal over Tube row

Fresh talks aimed at resolving the London Underground dispute will be held tomorrow.

For more, visit Ananova

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07 February 2001

Corus chief denounced as ‘assassin’ of jobs

The chairman of steel manufacturer Corus has been dubbed The Silent Assassin as MPs protest about the redundancies announced in Wales.

For more, visit Ananova

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06 February 2001

£290m Euro funding to help western Scotland

A £290 million package for business and community development in Scotland has been provisionally approved by the European Commission.

For more, visit Ananova

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05 February 2001

Government ‘did nothing to stop steel job losses’

The Government has been accused of standing idly by in the run up to Corus’s decision last week to axe more than 6,000 jobs in the steel industry.

For more, visit Ananova

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05 February 2001

Ford to announce boost for engine plant

Ford is today set to announce a £240 million expansion plan at its south Wales engine plant, creating up to 600 jobs.

For more, visit Ananova

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04 February 2001

Bank of Scotland to create 100 jobs

The Bank of Scotland has announced the creation of 100 jobs across England in its business banking division.

For more, visit Ananova

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04 February 2001

Corus attacked for ‘hiring box at rugby international’

Corus has been accused of gross insensitivity after reportedly hiring an executive box for the Wales-England rugby international just days after announcing thousands of job cuts.

For more, visit Ananova

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02 February 2001

Shakespeare actors to be paid by the line

Actors appearing at London’s open-air Shakespeare’s Globe theatre this summer will be paid by the line.

For more, visit <a href=at http://www.ananova.com/entertainment/story/sm_195256.html target=_blank>Ananova

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02 February 2001

PM’s father-in-law launches pensions salvo

Tony Blair’s father-in-law Tony Booth has launched another salvo against the Government over pensions.

For more, visit Ananova

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02 February 2001

Unions plan action against Corus jobs axe

Union officials were meeting to decide how to campaign against the loss of more than 6,000 jobs as Tony Blair urges steel giant Corus to rethink its plans.

For more, visit Ananova

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02 February 2001

Economists predict inflation will fall below 1.5%

An economic think tank says inflation will fall below 1.5% later this year and leave the Bank of England’s governor with some explaining to do.

For more, visit Ananova

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01 February 2001

Think again, Blair tells Corus

Prime Minister Tony Blair has urged steel giant Corus to think again about the programme of job losses.

For more, visit Ananova

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01 February 2001

Long hours damaging managers’ morale

Managers are said to be suffering from lower morale and less motivation because of a slump in the quality of their working lives.

For more, visit Ananova

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01 February 2001

Computer games firm to shed 90 workers

Computer games publisher Codemasters is to make 90 members of staff redundant in the UK and overseas.

For more, visit Ananova

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01 February 2001

Tesco staff cash in on ‘record’ £123 million windfall

More than 33,000 Tesco staff will share in a £123 million share-option windfall believed to the biggest of its kind in British corporate history.

For more, visit Ananova

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