Briefing

• When it comes to employment practice, the NHS is rather apt to believe it's a special case with little to learn from other sectors of the economy. This makes it refreshing to turn to the Institute of Personnel and Development's slim volumes on good practice in employment. Mainly directed at a business audience—and therefore concentrating on the business case for implementation, the series includes treatises on induction, creating a staff handbook, and part time working, as well as workplace tobacco and alcohol policies. The books take a practical approach with a brief discussion followed by a checklist for action. For example, the volume on induction points out that employees who leave organisations shortly after recruitment incur multiple costs: those of re-recruiting, as well as the loss of any training and experience they have acquired. Even if they do not leave, without induction employees learn slowly and piecemeal the things that they need to know to be effective.

Allan A, Daniels L. Part-time workers. London: IPD, 1999. Hogg C. Creating a staff handbook. London: IPD, 1999.

Fowler A. Induction. London: IPD, 1999.

IPD books can be ordered by email:orders{at}plymbridge.com