New benchmarking data on employers' use of training evaluation methods has been added to the XpertHR benchmarking service.

A model policy and accompanying letters on the right to request time off for study or training have been added to the XpertHR policies and documents section, in advance of the legislation coming into effect on 6 April 2010. The accompanying letters include a letter that can be circulated to employees explaining the new right.

Line managers take lead or shared responsibility for people management in 90% of organisations, yet IRS research has shown that line manager training in areas such as absence management, appraisals and recruitment is often poorly attended and inadequate. IRS is conducting a survey on line manager training and, if you take part, you will get immediate access to a free copy of our previous survey on line managers’ role in people management and we will provide you with a free copy of the new survey as soon as it is ready. 

IRS research finds that a key way in which employers manage stress and mitigate its impact is by equipping line managers to spot the early warning signs of stress among employees.

IRS research finds that the most effective ways to evaluate training are appraisals and follow-up conversations with line managers.

IRS asked employers how they thought the impending legislation giving employees the right to request time off for training will affect their organisation and found that a majority believe it will have minimal impact, as they are already providing adequate training opportunities. 

A teacher development programme using coaching and active learning has helped Ealing, Hammersmith & West London College develop teacher creativity and improve student learning.

Additions to the FAQs section cover the right to time off for trade union duties and activities.

The Equality Bill is now completing its way through Parliament. It will have far-reaching consequences and will require all employers to review their personnel policies. Butterworths is offering XpertHR subscribers a £50 discount on its Equality Bill conference on 15 April. 

The Government has confirmed that employees in organisations with 250 or more employees will have a right to request time off to undertake study or training from 6 April 2010. 

With the London Olympics just two years away, British athletes are in serious training. What can the HR profession learn from their cutting-edge motivational methods? Personnel Today investigates. 

When times get tough, employee training can be one of the first areas cut. So how can organisations best make the business case for the continued importance of training at a time when budgets are suffering severe constraints? Find out by taking part in an IRS survey on training evaluation. 

With an estimated 15 million UK workers set to retire in the next 20 years, employers have realised that setting employees' minds at rest about their retirement will make them more productive, loyal and committed. Personnel Today looks at the growing interest in pre-retirement training.

Nurturing talent is a long-term, often resource-hungry exercise that may be difficult to justify during a recession. How will it be viewed once the economy revives?

Training in resilience to stress and a mental health first aid course are available to employers in the Worcestershire area, thanks to national lottery funding. Our case studies of both the providers and the end-users demonstrate the positive impact this training is having on employees.

Network Rail invested millions of pounds in a leadership development centre and runs an ongoing academic programme for talented leaders; its high level of commitment to manager training has helped it meet its challenging targets for Britain's railways.

Michael Berriman, partner, Weightmans, examines the risk of discrimination claims when carrying out tests or assessments.

The Government intends to introduce the right to time off to train for employees in organisations with more than 250 employees from April 2010, with the legislation being extended to cover all employees from April 2011 at the earliest. 

The XpertHR policies and documents section has been enhanced by the addition of a model order of proceedings for an investigatory meeting, a disciplinary investigation form and a training feedback form.