EXCLUSIVE A government crackdown on ill-health retirements means there are more than 9,000 police officers "in limbo" and unable to be deployed to the front line in a major incident, Personnel Today has learned.

HR news and views including: Poor mental health at work: are employers doing enough? Should they have to take responsibility for non work-related mental health issues? A new EAT ruling says that volunteers are not covered by the Disability Discrimination

DDA), as they are not covered by the specific term 'occupation'.

The postal workers union has climbed down over its decision to mount a legal challenge against Royal Mail's policy to employ 30,000 agency workers to clear the backlog of post.

A police chief who is leaving his force for a senior job at Scotland Yard is facing demands to repay part of the £70,000 resettlement package he received less than three years ago.

British Airways (BA) workers have "unwillingly" agreed to work new schedules with reduced staffing pending a full High Court hearing.

A judge's decision that eco-friendly views were philosophical beliefs and should be protected under equality law could leave the legislation wide open for abuse by employees, according to HR professionals and campaigners.

More than 1,700 staff at off-licence group First Quench are to lose their jobs after administrators announced they are to close 373 shops by 2 December.

Royal Mail's third round of postal strikes were called off last night after an interim peace deal was reached with the postal worker's union.

Cash is no longer king when it comes to reward at UK blue-chip companies.

Unite union members at Fujitsu have voted in favour of striking in protest at planned cuts to jobs, pay and pensions.

A Christian registrar who claimed she faced religious discrimination after she refused to conduct civil partnership ceremonies will have her case heard in the Court of Appeal today.

The first female Beefeater has complained of being subjected to a bullying campaign by some of her male colleagues.

Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) is considering applying to the county court for an injunction to stop an unemployed electrician protesting outside one of its sites.

British Airways cabin crew could strike over Christmas, their union has warned.

Refugees living in Wales are more highly qualified than people born there, according to a university study.

A hearing has begun into an equal pay claim which could cost Birmingham City Council millions of pounds.

Universities are to use potential earnings to advertise courses, in a bid to treat students more like paying customers.

More than 1,000 part-time soldiers have won a pensions and redundancy rights case against the Ministry of Defence.

A pilot scheme offering internships to those with learning difficulties to help them find employment has been launched by the government today.