Source: theHRDIRECTOR
Date: December 2006 

To promote best practice and minimise risk, employees need to know the legal implications of their actions, what their organisation expects of them, and how to handle in practice a range of potentially troublesome situations. “Failure to do so can increase the significant risk to employers from legal liabilities, such as the risk of successful discrimination claims entailing substantial compensation awards,” warns Rachel Dineley, employment partner and head of the discrimination unit at commercial law firm, Beachcroft LLP. Working in conjunction with an e-solution provider, Absolutely Training Limited, Beachcroft LLP has developed a product called In-sight, which consists of a suite ofemployment law-related courses that are delivered via the  Internet. “The courses are designed to give managers and staff a working knowledge of those aspects of employment law that affect their working lives, and most frequently give rise to uncertainty and potential legal liability,” Dineley explains.

Global IT Solutions provider, LogicaCMG, has incorporated this e-learning into their training programmes. The international and varied nature of LogicaCMG’s business puts a premium on its ability to successfully manage complex deliverables from multiple locations and from a highly diverse workforce. By introducing Insight, the company is able to train its employees on those areas of employment law which are having a direct impact on its business, ensuring consistency for all employees.

In the UK, 800 staff at LogicaCMG are responsible for all aspects of people management, ranging from recruitment and career development through to training, coaching, mentoring and performance management. At this stage, the training is taking place in the UK only.

A sample menu of topics covered includes:  managing equal opportunities in the workplace, both from an employer perspective and with regard to what they mean for employees; age discrimination, particularly in light of the introduction of new regulations in October this year; recruitment for managers; data protection and employment records; managing stress at work; disciplinary investigations and hearings; and how to effectively manage whistle blowing at work. Keith Smith, the UK HR programmes director, explains: “The need to recognise and adapt to cultural and individual differences across and within all our teams is a pre-requisite for our success. To address this requirement, we launched a programme aimed at raising awareness of this across the business. We planned to develop our collective capability to manage both cultural and individual differences in diversity as a key component of effective leadership. The initial programme, aimed at staff managers, incorporated the Beachcroft In-sight e-learning module, and was designed to raise awareness of the UK legislative framework associated with equal opportunities and discrimination.

“The flexibility of the e-learning module has been an invaluable mechanism for enabling access to the large mobile proportion of our workforce which is site based. It also has real potential to raise levels of understanding in the crucial area of cross-cultural working – which is an increasing part of our global service organisation.”

The success of the broader diversity programme will be measured in the medium to longer term. LogicaCMG is keen to further enhance its profile as an employer of choice, attracting and retaining a rich mix of talent at all levels of the business, irrespective of gender, race, disability, religion, sexual orientation or age. Keith Smith comments: “We are looking at a range of ways in which e-learning can help us raise awareness amongst our wider non-managerial workforce. Mechanisms such as the self assessment/testing capability within the programme help us in terms of tracking our progress of such awareness.”

The feedback from participants has been very positive. Simon Hogan, head of UK recruitment at LogicaCMG, says: “E–learning has proved to be a very helpful introduction to a complex area of law that we all need to know about. It has raised our awareness and given us confidence in ensuring that our recruitment methods are fair and assure equality of opportunity for all.” LogicaCMG’s e-learning product has been specifically tailored to reflect the approach and ethos of the organisation. Producing bespoke course materials ensures it can manage the particular needs of its business, thereby safeguarding the organisation against potentially harmful, disruptive and expensive discrimination claims.