For more than twenty years, management expert Bruce Tulgan has been asking, “What are the most difficult challenges you face when it comes to managing people?”

Regardless of industry or job title, managers cite the same core issues—27 recurring challenges: the superstar whom the manager is afraid of losing, the slacker whom the manager cannot figure out how to motivate, the one with an attitude problem, and the two who cannot get along, to name just a few.

Read more on THE 27 CHALLENGES MANAGERS FACE…

The ‘What Works Centre for Wellbeing’ is the latest addition to the ‘What Works Network’, which was launched by the Government last year to improve public services through evidence-based policy and practice.

Read more on NEW CENTRE OPENS TO FIND OUT HOW TO IMPROVE WELLBEING…

Highly paid administrators from across the public sector who take a redundancy payment then return to the same part of the public sector within a year will need to repay the taxpayer under plans announced by HM Treasury.

Read more on REVOLVING DOOR CLOSES FOR HIGH EARNERS IN PUBLIC SECTOR…

The Home Office has launched an initiative to change the culture of police when dealing with people experiencing mental health problems. This will involve replacing handcuffs and cells with medical experts, a bed and proper healthcare.

Read more on MENTAL HEALTH SUFFERERS TO GET NEW DEAL FROM POLICE…

Phil Neal examines how local authorities can overcome some of the challenges they face as they prepare for phase two of the Troubled Families scheme.

The work already underway to improve outcomes for troubled families is set to move up a gear, with the family focused approach remaining firmly at the heart of the government’s flagship programme.

Read more on TROUBLED FAMILIES: PREPARING FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER…

The Department for Work & Pensions should have increased its focus on Housing Benefit fraud and error sooner, according to a report from the National Audit Office.

The total level of benefit overpayment due to fraud and error has increased to an estimated £1.4 billion in 2013-14 from £980 million in 2010-11. The overpayment is 5.8% of spending on this benefit.

Read more on WATCHDOG CRITICISES RESPONSE TO RISING BENEFIT FRAUD…

Eric Pickles recently announced there would be a new £5m recycling incentive fund for local councils. Many local authorities are now in touching distance of introducing a rewards for recycling programme, and will be considering bidding for the chance to change recycling behaviour in a progressive and positive way. This feature offers suggestions for selecting the right scheme to motivate the community.

Read more on WHAT CAN THE 2012 RECYCLING INCENTIVE SCHEME TEACH COUNCILS BIDDING FOR PICKLE’S LATEST FUNDING?…

Workplace authenticity should matter to everyone, but does the responsibility for it lie with managers or individuals? Robin Ryde and Lisa Sofianos set out their philosophy.

The management task, and the responsibility that sits with the organization as a whole to support authenticity, is important. Let’s be clear that full success depends on leaders, managers and workers alike playing their role. But our position on authenticity is that responsibility for claiming it must ultimately rest with the individual.

Read more on AUTHENTICITY AT WORK: WHOSE RESPONSIBILITY IS IT?…

Though women hold a majority of the managerial and professional jobs in the workforce, they occupy a mere 14% of C-suite positions at Fortune 500 firms.

To break through this stubborn glass ceiling, women must learn to take bold steps when career-defining moments arise. During her 33-year career at Southern Company, a Fortune 500 utility company, Becky Blalock rose to become CIO in a traditionally male industry. Now she offers her own hard-won advice, as well as that of 28 top female executives, to show all aspiring women how to dare to reach the highest tier of leadership and C-suite positions.

Read more on DARE: STRAIGHT TALK ON CONFIDENCE COURAGE AND CAREER…

The Ready For Ageing Alliance has called on the Government to act now to prevent a huge gap in care for the elderly over the next twenty years.

The Ready For Ageing Alliance is made up of representatives from specialist organisations including Age UK, Alzheimer’s Society, Anchor and Carers UK.

Read more on GETTING READY FOR AGEING…