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Ways to support LGBT staff in the workplace

Ways to support LGBT staff in the workplace

Stonewall, Britain’s leading charity for lesbian, gay, bi and trans equality, published a recent report revealing worrying trends in discrimination throughout the workplaces of Britain. The research, which was made public in April 2018, showed that “more than a third of LGBT staff (35 per cent) have hidden that they are LGBT at work for fear of discrimination.” Additionally, Stonewall found that “nearly two in five bi people (38 per cent) aren’t out to anyone at work. Inclusivity should be a priority in all workplaces. Ensuring that each and every member of the team feels valued, appreciated and understood is of paramount importance, and there’s so much that businesses can do to make improvements in this area. Click here to…
Dr Neil Thompson
December 6, 2018
James Clear – How to get motivated when you don’t feel like it

James Clear – How to get motivated when you don’t feel like it

You’ve probably noticed that it’s hard to be motivated all the time. No matter what you are working on, there are bound to be days when you don’t feel like showing up. There will be workouts that you don’t feel like starting. There will be reports that you don't feel like writing. There will be responsibilities that you don’t feel like handling. And there will be “off days” when your energy and emotions are in the gutter. These fluctuations are part of life, and I face these motivational challenges just as much as the next person. However, for the important things in my life, I’ve also developed a system for dealing with these “off days.” Click here to read more…
Dr Neil Thompson
December 6, 2018
Statement on Visit to the United Kingdom, by Professor Philip Alston, United Nations Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights

Statement on Visit to the United Kingdom, by Professor Philip Alston, United Nations Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights

The UK is the world’s fifth largest economy, it contains many areas of immense wealth, its capital is a leading centre of global finance, its entrepreneurs are innovative and agile, and despite the current political turmoil, it has a system of government that rightly remains the envy of much of the world.  It thus seems patently unjust and contrary to British values that so many people are living in poverty. This is obvious to anyone who opens their eyes to see the immense growth in foodbanks and the queues waiting outside them, the people sleeping rough in the streets, the growth of homelessness, the sense of deep despair that leads even the Government to appoint a Minister for suicide prevention…
Dr Neil Thompson
December 6, 2018
New performance management research

New performance management research

This report looks at employers' use of PM systems in different operational contexts. The purpose of different PM systems and the values underpinning them are explored, as are their various components and the design and implementation issues being encountered. An account of emerging trends in PM system design is also presented, with some of the important challenges that organisations currently face in this area being highlighted. Click here to view the report
Dr Neil Thompson
December 6, 2018
25% off Neil Thompson titles with code THOMPSON25

25% off Neil Thompson titles with code THOMPSON25

Neil Thompson is a highly respected writer and developer of online learning resources, with over 40 years’ experience in the people professions. His titles are firm favourites on the Red Globe Press Social Work list: from the popular guide to reflective practice (co-authored with Sue Thompson) The Critically Reflective Practitioner, to specific explorations of complex ethical issues within the field of Social Work, such as Promoting Equality, Social Problems and Social Justice, and Anti-Discriminatory Practice. To celebrate 25 years of Neil Thompson’s publishing on the Red Globe Press Social Work list, they are offering 25% off all his titles when you use code THOMPSON25 at the checkout. Click here to browse the range of titles and place an order
Dr Neil Thompson
November 22, 2018
Neil Thompson’s Lesson for Living – Don’t get trapped in a saying

Neil Thompson’s Lesson for Living – Don’t get trapped in a saying

Sayings can be very useful ways of briefly capturing important elements of wisdom. For example, the idea of ‘better safe than sorry’ has no doubt helped many people to avoid making rash decisions or launching into situations unprepared. So, they clearly have an important role to play as elements of whatever culture we are brought up in (different cultures will have different sayings, but there will, of course, be many common themes). But, it isn’t all good news. This is because, for one thing, sayings can be contradictory. Compare ‘Out of sight, out of mind’ with ‘Absence makes the heart grow fonder’. Sayings therefore have limitations, and so we need to be careful and critical in how we use them.…
Dr Neil Thompson
November 22, 2018
Mental health: Firms ask PM to deliver on pledge

Mental health: Firms ask PM to deliver on pledge

Some of Britain's biggest employers are pressing the government to honour a promise to give mental health the same status as physical health at work. Royal Mail and WH Smith are among the companies asking the PM to follow through on her manifesto pledge to update health and safety legislation. That would mean employers would have to provide appropriate training for staff to deal with mental ill-health. About one in six of people at work have symptoms of a mental health condition. A government-commissioned review put the cost of those conditions, such as depression, anxiety or stress, to the economy at between £74bn and £99bn a year. Click here to read more
Dr Neil Thompson
November 22, 2018
Standing ovation for Youth Parliament Commons speech

Standing ovation for Youth Parliament Commons speech

A Co Down student has caused a bit of a stir in the House of Commons with a rousing speech about homelessness. Cormac Savage, 15, was elected to the Youth Parliament in March and was selected to represent Northern Ireland in the House of Commons on Friday on the subject of homelessness. The topic was selected by more than one million young people when the Youth Parliament was drawing up its priorities for the year. The GCSE student from St Patrick's Grammar School, Downpatrick, received a standing ovation for his speech, in which he described himself as a feminist. Click here to read more
Dr Neil Thompson
November 22, 2018
Seth Godin’s Blog – If what you’re doing isn’t working

Seth Godin’s Blog – If what you’re doing isn’t working

Perhaps it’s time to do something else. Not a new job, or a new city, but perhaps a different story. A story about possibility and sufficiency. A story about connection and trust. A story about for and with, instead of at or to. Bootstrapping your way to a new story about the world around you is one of the most difficult things you’ll ever do. Our current story was built piecemeal, over time, the result of vivid interactions and hard-fought lessons. But if that story isn’t getting you where you need to go, then what’s it for? Click here to read more  
Dr Neil Thompson
November 22, 2018
What are human rights?

What are human rights?

Human rights are the fundamental rights and freedoms that belong to every single one of us, anywhere in the world. Human rights apply no matter where you are from, what you believe in, or how you choose to live your life. Human rights can never be taken away, but they can sometimes be restricted – for example if a person breaks the law, or in the interests of national security. These rights and freedoms are based on values like dignity, fairness, equality, respect and independence. But human rights are not just abstract concepts – they are defined and protected by law. Click here to read more
Dr Neil Thompson
November 22, 2018