If you’re the skeptical type, it wouldn’t be too difficult to find a whole host of reasons right now to feel negative. The future of the country is up in the air, the summer so far has been a either too hot for some or a bit of a washout and the papers are full ...

Think that becoming a better leader involves attending intensive courses, gaining years and years of experience, or getting your head stuck into a textbook? Well, not necessarily. These things can all have their place, but it’s very possible to raise your game this week, by making just a few manageable changes.

If you’re ready to ...

We all know that bad habits in our personal lives can lead to serious problems. From trying to adopt a healthier diet through to quitting cigarettes, most of us have experienced a time when we recognised that changes had to be made.

But have you ever stopped to think about the HR habits that could ...

Any time of the year brings challenges for business owners when it comes to managing a team of people, and the summer is no different. Everyone might be in a slightly better mood when the sun starts to shine, but there are potential issues that you need to be aware of to ensure the smooth ...

According to research from Britain’s Healthiest Workplace (BHW), it is estimated that UK employers are losing 27.5 days of productive work per employee each year.

When an employee is absent, others can usually take on some of their workload, but productivity can still take a hit, and key things can get missed.

Based on findings ...

Brexit has certainly introduced uncertainty, especially in the last few weeks, but rather than watching and waiting, this is your opportunity to make workforce planning a priority and ensure that your business has the right resources they need for the changes ahead.

Many of our employment laws derive from EU directives, and at this moment ...

Everyone loves a good old bank holiday weekend. More time with the family and an opportunity to unwind. As a business owner though, long weekends bring some key challenges. With four bank holidays appearing in the springtime calendar in the UK, it makes sense to be prepared, so you can prevent the common issues from ...

Nearly all of the employers that I’ve worked with spend a significant amount of time and money to get their recruitment right. Along with the typical issues that the recruitment process can raise, a big question that I get asked over-and-over is this: Can we enquire about a candidate’s state of health?

The short answer ...

There are over 10 million over-50s in employment. The potential reasons could include the fact that the state pension age has increased and we’re also living longer than we were just a couple of decades ago. The fact of the matter is that we have more older people in the workplace and as employers, we ...

April is a fairly busy time for HR professionals and business owners alike. Not only are you required to tie up any loose ends from the previous financial year… You also need to make sure that you’re fully prepared for legislative changes that could impact your business. This is a time when new employment law ...

Software as a service is big business, and there are many HR solutions on the market that can help you to streamline your processes and save time and money. Plenty of vendors will be happy to come into your workplace and talk you through exactly how everything works, and how it could benefit your organisation....

We’re currently living through some very uncertain times here in the UK and there’s no denying that there’s a level of worry amongst some of our communities. We’re not just talking race here though, it could be as simple as differing political views that can cause a stir amongst your workforce. So, what exactly do ...

Now that we’re well and truly recovered from the New Year, we’re ready to kick off another brilliant year of helping small businesses to tackle their HR issues and get the most out of their workforce.

We’re expecting a call though. It’s one we get every month of every year, and though the finer details ...

January can be a thoroughly dull and dismal month, and if you’re feeling a bit down in the dumps, then you’re definitely not alone. The festivities are over, the weather is miserable and there’s pretty much a full six months to wait before your summer holidays will come round.

Right about now, you’re probably considering ...

Now that we’re close to the end of the year, it’s time for many bosses to get back to business and start creating their 2019 success story. You’ll hopefully be able to spend some time relaxing over the festive period, so you’re ready to face your new challenges with excitement.

Whether you were planning to ...

This year, more than 1 in 4 of British workers will spend 90 minutes or more of their time on their way to and from work. On average, UK workers spend 1 hour and 36 minutes a day commuting. Not only does this detract from actual working time, it can also place a strain on ...

If you’re an ambitious and savvy business owner, then you’ll already know that spending money on your HR function is absolutely essential. Your people have the power to drive your business forward and make sure that you’re bringing your big vision to life and when you get things right, your HR spending is an investment, ...

So we’re quickly approaching the festive season, and everything’s going well in your business. You’ve got robust plans in place so you’re in the best possible position for maximising your profits, and you’re feeling pretty organised and in control. All of a sudden though, you’ve got a big issue on your hands. Your staff want ...

Research from PwC has revealed that more than half of larger companies are thinking about revamping their appraisals processes and found that businesses are becoming increasingly eager to ditch the once-a-year approach, and instead concentrate on developing practices that create a continuous feedback culture.

It’s often suggested that it’s time for appraisals to be scrapped ...

When you’re an HR consultant, you often find yourself having in-depth conversations about how business owners can avoid legal action. Of course, we offer services that go way beyond this, but steering clear of expensive and potentially reputation-damaging legal action is something that business owners are very keen to do, for obvious reasons.

If you’re ...

At this time of the year, savvy business owners are starting to really knuckle down on the tactics that they’ll use to make the most of the opportunity that’s presented in the final quarter. Perhaps you’re rolling out special offers to entice festive spending, or maybe you have an exciting new line of products that ...

Do you ever stop for a second to consider the consequences of your staff deciding to leave your business?

You’ve no doubt put masses of time, effort, and money into finding and recruiting the very best people, so it makes good business sense to think about how you can continue to make a return on ...

We’re all pretty clued up these days when it comes to the importance of building teams that work together to drive a business forward. No one is questioning the benefits, but there is a great deal of confusion around what it actually means to develop a team that operates at its full potential.

There are ...

Even on a good day, few would ever describe commuting as a joy. But in the wake of ongoing issues across the rail network, or the increase in roadworks, these problems have become ever more acute.

Staff absences can have expensive consequences for businesses. So what steps can employers take if staff show up to ...

When it comes to HR mistakes, there are some classic blunders that most business owners are aware of and know they need to avoid. We all know, for example, the perils of not having policy documents in place to guide our processes and the steps we need to follow if an employee is underperforming.

Thanks ...

In the digital age, managing how your organisation is perceived by current and potential employees has never been more important. Whether you like it or not, conversations are already taking place about your values and exactly what you bring to the table, and savvy leaders know that it’s something that they must take complete ownership ...

According to a report published by the Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM), employers are missing out on hiring talented and qualified staff due to a lack of understanding around how the skills of ex-military personnel can be transferred.

86% of people surveyed felt that employers didn’t understand how skills acquired in the military could ...

A New Zealand business that trialed a four-day working week for its employees has concluded that the initiative was a massive success, with a 24% increase in a healthy work-life balance.

Perpetual Guardian, a firm which manages trusts, wills and estate planning for its clients, allowed its 240 staff to work four eight-hour days during ...

In 2018, there’s not a single small business owner out there who doesn’t know the benefits of leveraging the flexible freelance talent market. Whether you need a website designed, a blog post written, or an HR system created, there’s an independent contractor somewhere in the world who can give you exactly what you need.

It’s ...

A survey by employee benefits and insurance provider Personal Group, in collaboration with online doctor service videoDoc, recently found that the average employee worked for more than four days per year when they were genuinely ill. 52% delayed getting medical advice because they didn’t want to take time away from the office and interestingly, women ...

One in six people living with diabetes have experienced discrimination in the workplace, according to recent research carried out by Diabetes UK. 37% felt that they did not get the support they needed from their workmates, and shockingly, 7% said that they had not told their employers about their diabetes at all.

Statistically, it’s very ...

A royal wedding, summer sunshine, a big sporting event… There’s been plenty for the general public to get excited about recently and there’s no denying that everyone can benefit from the lifted spirits and the joviality in the air. According to WhatCulture, 3.5 billion people are expected to tune into the FIFA World Cup 2018. ...

If you’re running a business it’s pretty much impossible for you to ignore the conversations that have been growing louder and more frequent in recent months and years surrounding freelancing and the gig economy. There’s an increasing pool of flexible talent available to you and you already know the benefits.

But the conversation is one ...

Weddings are a hot topic of conversation right now. The dust is just settling on the royal celebrations and of course, thousands of couples are expected to say ‘I do’ over the coming months, as we head towards the peak season for exchanging vows. But as an employer, what do you need to know? And ...

Thinking about ways to attract and retain young and ambitious talent to your business? Pet food company Purina suggest that they may have the answer that you’ve been looking for… Let your staff bring their four-legged friends into work. According to their research, almost half of millennials would love to have the option to bring ...

Prince Harry joining in matrimony with Meghan Markle was an event that grabbed the eyes of the media and the hearts of the public on both sides of the pond. We bought the merchandise. We celebrated with garden parties. We eagerly awaited the moment when they first locked lips as newly weds on the steps ...

As a business owner, you’ll already be well aware of the importance of sharp communication skills. You’ve probably attended plenty of training sessions on face-to-face communications and extensively practiced your effectiveness when it comes to leading meetings and getting teams onboard with wider goals and objectives.

But what about email? These days, it’s likely to ...

The findings of a survey by independent charity Health@Work, released to coincide with Stress Awareness Month, has revealed that most employers fail to meet even the most basic of standards when it comes to supporting staff with mental health.

It’s well known that mental health issues are amongst the most common reasons for employees taking ...

Gender pay gap reporting has been grabbing a whole load of newspaper headlines in recent months, with larger businesses being forced to publically share exactly how they’re measuring up when it comes to ensuring that women have an equal opportunity to thrive in the workplace.

But is pay just one facet of a much wider ...

As we head into a new financial year, it makes sense to take stock of your progress to date and assess any changes that need to be made in your business. You’re no doubt reviewing your monetary goals and setting targets to get you to where you want to be in terms of profit and ...

Prince Harry is set to wed Meghan Markle on Saturday 19^th May and excitement is building amongst the general public. Everyone loves an excuse for a celebration, but as an employer, you’ve probably got a few questions about burning issues such as time off and allowing your workers to celebrate the occasion.

The good ...

Public Health England and Business in the Community have published a toolkit in an effort to encourage employers to promote healthier eating and exercise to their employees. Keen to stress the business benefits, the toolkit explains that such initiatives can boost productivity, slash absence rates and play a key role in facilitating a happy workforce....

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock over the past few months – or, if we dare suggest it, burying your head in the sand – then you’ll be well aware that we’re very quickly galloping towards the date when we all need to be compliant with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The legislation ...

The Beast from the East. The Pest from the West. The past few weeks have seen the UK battered by extreme weather conditions, the likes of which many of us had never witnessed before. Whilst the general public battled to find a fresh loaf of bread and the supermarket shelves were emptied by anxious shoppers, ...

Everyone loves a good old bank holiday weekend. More time with the family, an opportunity to unwind and weather permitting, maybe even a barbecue or two. As a business owner though, long weekends bring some key challenges. With four bank holidays appearing in the springtime calendar in the UK, it makes sense to be prepared, ...

Growing a business from the ground up can be one of the most challenging but rewarding experiences in the world, and we’ve worked with ambitious leaders at practically every stage. From recruiting your very first member of staff, to really stepping things up a level and recruiting entire teams and departments, we’ve helped business owners ...

Recently published research by the Resolution Foundation shows a boom in the use of agency workers by businesses looking to fill their skills gap, and the findings suggest that it’s a pattern that’s set to continue. Almost half (43%) of respondents said that they’d increased their reliance on agency staff during the past five years, ...

By now, we are all very aware that it’s against the law to decide not to appoint a woman to a role because she’s pregnant, or has plans to start a family. So it might come as a surprise to discover the findings from a recent survey by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)....

There are always key developments in the world of employment law that you need to be aware of to ensure that your business is prepared. The clock’s ticking when it comes to ensuring your compliance, and we’re keen to make sure that you’ve got the knowledge, understanding and support that you need to smoothly guide ...

The 2018 Modern Families Index, published by charity Working Families and childcare provider Bright Horizons has revealed that working parents are being pushed to ‘breaking point’ in the workplace, with many feeling pressurised to work more than their contracted hours. Because of the impact that their employment has on their home life, 10% had refused ...

An investigation by BBC Radio 4’s File on Four show has found that thousands of people in the UK had bought fake degree certificates from a so-called ‘diploma mill’ operating out of Pakistan. The universities named on the certificates don’t exist, and worryingly, it’s thought that around 3,000 bonus qualifications could be being used – ...

Dating apps might often be considered as the modern way to find a romantic partner, but plenty of people still find love at work. According to a study by Approved Index, 65% of office workers have been involved in at least one workplace relationship during the course of their career. And of course, it’s hardly ...

A new year brings new challenges when you’re running a business, and there are always key developments in the world of employment law that you need to be aware of, so you can ensure that your organisation is fulfilling its legal requirements. Not surprisingly, 2018 is set to be no different.

Though Brexit has offered ...

Businesses could be losing £100 million a year because of false and exaggerated expense claims, a recent survey by software company webexpenses has found. More than 4 in 10 respondents admitted that they had fiddled their expenses, with travel being an area in which many employees felt they could elaborate the truth. Almost 50% of ...

Rarely does a month go by without the likes of Uber and Deliveroo hitting the headlines for all the wrong reasons. The companies, which use labour on a self-employed basis, have repeatedly been accused of using loopholes in employment law to leave their team members worse off.

The Work and Pensions Committee and the Business ...

So, a management position becomes available in your company and you make the decision to promote an existing member of staff. They’re eager, they’re passionate, and they’re full of potential. They’re also human beings though, and however excited they might be to step up and demonstrate what they can achieve, there are a few bumps ...

As we hurdle into the New Year, the HR headaches that are typically associated with the Christmas period have become a distant memory. Hopefully, we won’t have to contend with snowy weather conditions or bad behaviour at the festive party for at least another eleven months.

Whilst many business owners are looking forward to a ...

There has been a two-thirds increase in the number of employment tribunal claims from July to September 2017 compared with the previous quarter, since fees were abolished, according to new Government data.

The Government’s statistics show that single claims rose by 66% – the highest in four years. More significantly, claims for unlawful deductions from ...

Despite the fact that Britain is set to leave the European Union, the General Data Protection Regulation will come into force here in the UK on 25^th May 2018. It’s been almost two years since the proposals were approved, but research from Blake Morgan LLP suggests that 23% of companies are still unaware of ...

The importance of a clear, concise staff handbook in any business, small or large, cannot be underestimated.

Handbooks should be designed to answer employees’ questions on their employer’s procedures and to avoid time-consuming case-by-case practice design. For example, if an employer has a redundancy policy in its handbook, it will not be under pressure to ...

Every year at around this time, we receive a ton of questions about workplace issues at Christmas. From parties to time off and everything in between, it can quickly turn into a minefield if you’re not suitably prepared. Is your business really ready for the festive period? Here, we’re going to outline some of the ...

We spend hours and hours each day scrolling through Facebook.
We arrange our personal and professional lives through social media.
We can hardly remember a time when answers weren’t right at our fingertips due to the magic of Google.

So, it may come as a bit of a surprise to learn that when it comes ...

The Parental Bereavement (Pay & Leave) Bill was published on 13^th October, and is expected to come into force in 2020. Introduced by Kevin Hollinrake MP, it will give employed parents with a minimum of 26 weeks of continuous service a day-one right to two weeks of paid parental bereavement leave if they lose ...

Business owners should have by now pencilled in May 25^th 2018 as the date when the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) comes into force. But what does GDPR mean for your HR practices?

The simple answer is that it means a lot. Any company, big or small, will have to comply with new ...

The Harvey Weinstein scandal has once again shone a light on the very serious issue of sexual harassment in the workplace. Though we’ve come a long way in recent years in terms of creating legislation to protect individuals against inappropriate behaviour and gender related discrimination, it’s crystal clear that there’s still a great deal of ...

Sports Direct recently introduced a staff surveying system to its Derbyshire warehouse operation, asking its 3,500 employees to press a touchpad with either a happy or sad emoji face, to indicate their satisfaction with working conditions.

It’s a similar system to the one that you often see in public service stations, and it might seem ...

If there’s one thing that we hear time and time again from business owners, it’s that they just don’t have enough hours in the day to take care of their HR processes and procedures. There are a million and one things on their list to take care of, and it can be all too easy ...

We’re quickly approaching the end of the calendar year, but that doesn’t mean that it’s time to rest on your laurels and accept that the writing is already on the wall for 2017.

There are still wins to be made, goals to be hit and of course, challenges to overcome. Before getting stuck into the ...

Ryanair hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons recently, and it’s fair to say that the debacle has had a serious impact on the public’s perception of the budget airline brand. Thousands of journeys were cancelled, leaving passengers disappointed and angry, due to the company messing up the planning of its pilots’ annual leave....

Which function would be the winner?
Who’d take the crown as the business owners’ can’t-live-without tool?
And perhaps more interestingly, could one exist without the other?

When business owners are looking to increase their bottom line, or attract more of the best customers and clients, then they often look for outside solutions. They look towards ...

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is on the rise, and it’s safe to say that it’s ruffled a fair few feathers. Many have speculated that its increasing popularity and sophistication will replace human workers, and many employees are concerned. In fact, recent research from Bersin by Deloitte found that 33% of workers expect their ...

The summer months aren’t best known for being the most productive of seasons in the workplace. With many staff members heading off on holiday, or dreaming of more exotic locations than your offices, output can often take a bit of a slide in the wrong direction. It’s not long though until we hit the final ...

HMRC has just published its latest list of employers who are failing to pay their staff the National Minimum Wage, and a whopping £1.9 million is due to be handed out in compensation for workers who didn’t receive what they were really owed.

It might come as a surprise to learn that household name Argos ...

According to the RSPCA, around a half of UK households own a pet. Though there’s no legal right for employers to give their staff time off to look after an ill animal, or to help a new puppy settle in at their new home, ‘pawternity’ leave is something that’s being discussed more and more.

Though ...

The results of the recent Pipeline’s Women Count survey have been published, and they raise some pretty interesting and important questions about female leadership, and the progress we’re making towards ensuring that women are given the opportunity to thrive in senior roles.

It was found that FTSE 350 companies with no women on the leadership ...

The Taylor Review was hotly anticipated, and the findings were finally published recently. Commission by the Prime Minister back in October, the intention of the report was to take a look at how employment practices need to change in order to keep up with modern business models. It intended to address, amongst other things, employment ...

The Repeal Bill, otherwise known as the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill was published earlier this month, and the 66-page document confirmed that EU-derived legislation including the Working Time Directive, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and TUPE will continue to apply once the UK leaves the EU.

Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, ...

We’re just past the middle of the year, and now’s a great time to take a step back from the day-to-day running of your business and consider the bigger picture. It’s easy to get caught up with the issues going on right now on your shop floor, but good business owners know that regular strategic ...

You don’t need us to tell you that the summer period is peak season for staff members wanting to take some time out of the office. The kids are off school, people are thinking about a few weeks in the sun, and the annual leave requests start to come rolling in.

All business owners know ...

Employment tribunal fees look set to be scrapped after a landmark court decision this week.

The Supreme Court has ruled that the fees, introduced in July 2013, are unlawful, and thousands of people who paid to take their employers to tribunals will need to be refunded.

Since the introduction of the fees, there has been ...

According to the forecasters, we should soon be in the middle of a heat wave and there’s no telling how long it’s likely to last. In fact, you often can’t even rely on the weathermen to give you an accurate outlook, so it’s just a case of enjoying it while you can, or if you’re ...

It’s that time of year again. All across the country, teachers are breathing a sigh of relief and getting ready to wind down for the summer holidays, whilst parents are forced to consider how they’ll balance childcare responsibilities with their working lives.

The bottom line here is clear. When the kids are off school, either ...

There are some pretty weighty issues kicking around in the world of employment at the moment. We’re still in the dark about what will happen as a result of Brexit. No one really knows just yet how the new government will be assembled. But the temperatures have been hitting some pretty lofty heights recently, so ...

Many of us are no strangers to a little tipple after work. A glass of wine with colleagues to put the world to rights, an informal brainstorming session over a few beers or some all-important bonding and team building away from the constraints and routine of being tied to a desk.

But as a leader, ...

Let’s be honest here… HR has something of a reputation for being a little bit boring. It’s a burden that we’ve carried for years, and it’s one that refuses to budge in a lot of circles.
But is there any substance behind it? Are we actually just a group of thundering bores who can bring ...

As an employer it’s your duty to make sure that men and women are treated equally in the workplace, and that a woman’s decision to start a family doesn’t have to mean game over for their career.

It’s 2017, so you might think that we’re past the stage where these kinds of things are still ...

There are a ton of challenges that come hand-in-hand with employing a team of staff….

Ensuring that productivity is high and that you’re getting a good return on your staffing investment.
Keeping up to date with performance reviews.
Staying on the right side of employment legislation.
And the tricky question of whether you should accept ...

Thursday 8^th June marks National Freelancers Day, and independent professionals up and down the country will celebrate the fact that they boldly work for themselves. It’s estimated that there are around 2 million freelancers operating in the UK and they’ve had their fair share of press recently.
With the gig economy being a key ...

Employment legislation is hot news right now, as the main political parties release their manifestos, hit the campaign trail, and aim to make sure that voters know exactly how their lives can be improved if they make the right choice at the polling station come June 8^th.
People care about how they’re treated ...

What will happen to the national living wage post-election? Right now, nothing is set in stone, but it’s a bargaining chip that the key parties are using to sway more support over to their side.
Theresa May has pledged to increase the rate to around £8.75 per hour by 2020, and the Labour Party have ...

With the government having announced an election for 8^th June, politics is something that is being discussed up and down the country. As a leader of a workforce, there are many potential problems that this could create. It can be a sensitive subject, fraught with emotion and strong opinions, so it makes sense to ...

These past few weeks, you might have noticed that the gig economy is something that’s being discussed more and more in the media. Essentially, it’s all about a labour market that’s characterised by lots of freelance work and short-term contracts, rather than permanent roles.
Some might say that it’s a win-win for employers and workers ...

You might not be surprised to hear that a high percentage of the enquiries that we get are from business owners who are experiencing what they consider to be ‘a bit of a disaster’, to say the least.

Sometimes, it’s that productivity levels have slumped to the extent that they can’t fulfill their agreements with ...

For the past couple of years, LinkedIn has well and truly had a monopoly when it comes to being the social network of choice for recruiters and small business owners on the lookout for top new talent. With the new changes recently announced from Facebook though, the more ‘professional network’ might have a fight on ...

April is a fairly busy time for HR professionals and business owners alike. Not only are you required to tie up any loose ends from the previous financial year… You also need to make sure that you’re fully prepared for legislative changes that could impact your business. This is a time when new rules come ...

If you’re like most employers, then the very first time that you realised that you were going to need some people policies to make sure that you’re compliant with the law and doing everything you can to drive performance and engagement, you probably carried out a quick Google search to grab what you needed.

It ...

When you dip into an article from an HR consultant about work-life balance, you probably have a few preconceptions about what we’re going to say to you.

You might imagine that we’re going tell you that time off is vital, and that no one can fire on all cylinders without getting some well-deserved time away ...

So things are ticking along nicely in your business…
Your staff are engaged, productive and they’re smashing their goals. Sales are on the rise and you’re feeling pretty pleased with the fact that you’ve managed to grow and nurture such an awesome team of employees.
But suddenly, there’s a spanner in the works……

Completely out ...

Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg recently announced that the company would double its standard bereavement leave allowance, giving employees a total of 20 days off work to grieve for immediate family members.

Sandberg herself has spoken publicly about the death of her husband back in 2015, and in a statement issued via the social media network, ...

Think that you can’t afford an HR consultant?
Know that you could do with a helping hand with some issues that are bubbling away under the surface, but wondering whether you can really spare the budget?
Considering whether you’d be better off just hoping for the best and carrying on as you are?

We get ...

According to recent research by ILM, more than half of workers feel trapped by the rigid structure of their workplace. A whopping 74% said that they wanted more freedom and flexibility, so it’s not really surprising that homeworking is a trend that a ton of savvy employers are considering.
Homeworking provisions vary between businesses, but ...

So, if you’re reading this you made it through the most depressing time of the year. Seems like ages ago now, but ‘Blue Monday’ is the time when the new year feeling is over, we’re back into monotonous routine and there feels like there’s not a great deal to look forward to. It’s also bang ...

Picture the scene……..
Your business is growing and it’s time to bring in an extra pair of hands to manage all the various different tasks that are clogging up your desk. Excellent! It’s a sign of growth and it could mark the start of an exciting new chapter for your business.

But you sit down ...

If you run your own business, then it goes without saying that you’ll want to be a better business owner. It might not sound as exciting as the tangible measures like bringing in more cash, or increasing your profits, or slashing unnecessary costs, but make no mistake…

ALL of these things can be a direct ...

Brexit might have created uncertainty for business owners, but the latest research shows that 2017 could be a wonderful year for jobseekers. According to research by Manpower, the UK has returned to business as usual and the net employment outlook has risen to 7%.

So, if you’re planning to recruit to grow your business, what ...

This time of year presents a fantastic opportunity to ensure that your staff are fully onboard with your big strategic goals. By now, you’ve no doubt considered what you need to do to tap into the general feeling of renewed motivation. But are there things going on beneath the surface that you need to consider? ...

There are a few things that you can guarantee in life. Death, taxes and employment law changes. As we make our way into a new year, it’s essential that as a business owner you know exactly what’s coming and how to prepare for it.

Do you think that you can just hope for the best ...

According to recent research from Canada Life Group Insurance, ‘presenteeism’ is still a very real issue for UK employers. In fact, 9 out of 10 staff said that they have gone into work whilst feeling ill. Though some might say that their dedication to the job is admirable, it’s something that can cause serious problems ...

If you’re thinking about working with an HR consultant in your business, then you probably want to find out more about what the working relationship is really going to look like. You’ve seen the websites, the adverts and the promotional materials, and you might be feeling pretty optimistic about the whole thing.

But what’s the ...

Over the festive period, spirits are often high in the workplace. Everyone’s working towards shared goals, pulling together to make big things happen, and looking forward to the opportunity to take a little time out with friends and loved ones.

By the time that the New Year comes though, the general mood and feel has ...

Would you call yourself a ‘reluctant leader’? It’s a title that many small business owners, if they’re being completely honest, might identify with.

You started your company because you had an exciting product or service to share and you believed in the impact that it could have on the world. As you grow though, there ...

It’s fair to say that the workplace Christmas party gets its fair share of bad press. From punch-ups and offensively drunk staff, through to extra-marital activities and unwanted advances, we’ve all heard the horror stories. Depending on just how cautious you like to be, you might think that you’d be better off cancelling the whole ...

So, we’re quickly approaching the festive season and everything’s going well in your business. You’ve got robust plans in place so you’re in the best possible position for maximising your profits, and you’re feeling pretty organised and in control. All of a sudden though, you’ve got a big issue on your hands. Your staff want ...

It’s fair to say that body art and the workplace are two things that haven’t traditionally gone hand in hand. In recent years though, things have started to shift.

Back in 2014, Starbucks famously lifted its tattoo ban for its staff in a move that was applauded and welcomed with open (and perhaps intricately adorned) ...

If you’re an ambitious and savvy business owner, then you’ll already know that spending money on your HR function is absolutely essential. Your people have the power to drive your business forward and make sure that you’re bringing your big vision to life and when you get things right, your HR spending is an investment, ...

When your business gets to the stage where you need to start bringing in extra help, it can be a really exciting time. You’re growing, you’re increasing your bottom line and it’s time to recruit your first employee so you can continue to make big things happen and make progress against your overall vision.

The ...

Recruiting a new member of staff for your growing business can be a really exciting time, but it’s something that you should definitely consider carefully before you rush into taking action. One of the key challenges that you’re going to face is ensuring that your new recruit is welcomed into your existing team without any ...

Corporate jargon is something that plenty of us use each and every day without giving it too much thought. Maybe you encourage a lot of ‘blue-sky thinking’. Perhaps you suggest to your team that you ‘take things offline’ when you’d rather have a more private conversation about an important issue.

Or, a little disturbingly, you ...

At this time of the year, savvy business owners are starting to really knuckle down on the tactics that they’ll use to make the most of the opportunity that’s presented in the final quarter. Perhaps you’re rolling out special offers in your shops to entice festive spending, or maybe you have an exciting new line ...

When many of us think about companies that have made big HR mistakes, we’re quick to jump to the assumption that it’s all the fault of greedy bosses who are more interested in lining their own pockets than doing the right thing by their loyal employees.

Mistakes with administrative processes that result in employees receiving ...

As a business owner, it can often feel like there’s constantly a new piece of legislation on the horizon that you need to make sure that you’re compliant with.

There’s no denying that it can sometimes be tricky and confusing, but the first step is to ensure that you know exactly what’s coming. This means ...

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past month, you’ll no doubt be familiar with the latest digital trend to be sweeping the world. Pokémon Go involves using your mobile device to locate and capture virtual creatures and it’s currently being used by more than 100 million users.

Some have praised the app ...

A recent report from the TUC, in association with the Everyday Sexism Project, found that 52% of women have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace. The statistics are shocking and they demonstrate that whilst we may have come a long way in recent years, there are still serious problems that are deeply engrained into workplace ...

Has the news around Brexit left you feeling fearful for the future? If so, you are not alone. A report from CIPD and Adecco has found that the number of employers planning to hire new recruits over the next three months has nosedived from 40% to 36%, with the fall being ‘significantly higher’ in the ...

According to research by PwC, the annual cost of sickness absence has rocketed to £29 billion for UK organisations. Simply put, your staff are calling in sick and it’s having a severe impact on your bottom line. If you want to mitigate the impact, it’s time to think about how you can nip the problem ...

Most of us are pretty familiar with so-called ‘cake culture’ in the workplace. Whether it’s to celebrate a birthday, a promotion, a retirement, or just the end of another week, there’s no shortage of baked goods to enjoy with a nice cup of tea in the office. It’s a tradition that plenty of us enjoy, ...

Are you at the stage in your business where you know you could use a little HR help, but you’re feeling unsure about the cost implications? You’re not alone.

It’s an issue that many business owners have to tackle and it can feel like an absolute minefield when you’re trying to hunt down all the ...

We’re currently living through some very uncertain times here in the UK and you’ve no doubt seen the news stories unfolding in recent weeks detailing terrible acts of racism and xenophobia on our streets since the country voted to leave the EU.

There’s no denying that there’s a level of fear amongst minority communities, and ...

Several weeks have passed now since the majority of UK voters chose to opt out of the European Union, but it’s still very much the topic of ongoing conversation. With 52% of voters backing the Leave campaign, it’s clear that big changes are ahead and we’re moving into completely unchartered territory.

Regardless of what you ...

If you’re the skeptical type, it wouldn’t be too difficult to find a whole host of reasons right now to feel negative. The future of the country is up in the air, the summer so far has been a bit of a washout and the papers are full of tales of unrest and uncertainty.

In ...

According to research carried out by TUC, the number of people regularly working through the night has rocketed to over 3 million since the start of the recession. Interesting, more and more females than ever before are becoming night workers.

Regardless of the industry that you operate in, it’s quite likely that there will come ...

New data from the Office for National Statistics has revealed that over 10 million over-50s are now in employment. The potential reasons could include the fact that the state pension age has increased and we’re also living longer than we were just a couple of decades ago. The fact of the matter is that we ...

Trust is a funny old issue. It’s hard to describe and it’s arguably not very measurable. Those who are skeptical of the HR profession might say that it’s exactly the type of thing that we’re known for dealing with. In other words, all fluff and no substance!

Jokes aside though, if there’s a lack of ...

Dress codes are often used in the workplace and there are many reasons why an employer may have one, for example workers may be asked to wear a uniform to communicate a corporate image and ensure that customers can easily identify them. Often an employer will introduce a dress code for health and safety reasons, ...

The Islamic holy month of Ramadan started on Monday 6^th June and will draw to a close on Tuesday 5^th July. The annual period sees prayer, fasting every day from sunrise to sunset and contributing to charity.

As 22% of the global population identifies as Muslim and all able-bodied followers of the faith ...

Whether you love it or hate it, there’s no escaping from football at the minute. We’re currently slap bang in the middle of Euro 2016 and as a business owner, it’s likely that you’ll have to handle some issues that go a little deeper than arguing with your partner over the remote control.

Between now ...

The idea of giving local young people the opportunity to get a taste of the world of employment can be an appealing one, for many reasons. Offering work experience roles can strengthen your reputation, give you an immense amount of satisfaction and ensure that you’re playing your part in creating a skilled workforce for the ...

Back when you first started your business you probably imagined that your fellow director was going to be a trusted partner, an indispensible asset, the Jay Z to your Beyoncé.

The honeymoon period rarely lasts long though. When you’re working together so closely, it’s inevitable that there are going to be times when you have ...

According to Citizens Advice, it’s time for employers and recruiters alike to pull their socks up and start creating job adverts that effectively communicate key information about vacant roles.

It was claimed that nine out of ten job ads on internet recruitment portals failed to meet requirements outlined by the Advertising Standards Agency and failed ...

If your customer service isn’t up to scratch, your profits are seriously going to suffer. Most business owners would probably be quick to say that it isn’t a problem in their operations, but can you honestly say that you couldn’t make some improvements? Working on upping your game in this area is the type of ...

The days are getting longer and the temperature is finally on the rise. Chat is the office has turned to bikini diets and discount airlines. The pavements are packed full with joggers and cyclists. There’s no denying that summer is very firmly on the horizon. But is your business ready?

As always, a little preparation ...

We all know that bad habits in our personal lives can lead to serious problems. From trying to adopt a healthier diet through to kicking cigarettes, most of us have experienced a time when we recognised that changes had to be made.

But have you ever stopped to think about the HR habits that could ...

According to a recent study by XpertHR, 92% of companies have created employee handbooks to share with their staff. But the finished document is about so much more than just listing your policies and sharing some mission statements that you’ve cobbled together over a cup of tea with your managers.

Based on the statistics, you’ve ...

If your business is growing and you’ve got more customers and clients coming through your doors, then you might be thinking about recruiting more staff during 2016. Of course, this can often be great news and a real indicator that you’re heading in the right direction.

But whether you’re completely new to the world of ...

According to research by PwC, the annual cost of sickness absence has rocketed to £29 billion for UK organisations. Simply put, your staff are calling in sick and it’s having a severe impact on your bottom line. If you want to mitigate the impact, it’s time to think about how you can nip the problem ...

In an ideal world, we’d never have to worry about firefighting people issues within our businesses. We’d have perfectly crafted policies, highly skilled line managers and an engaged workforce with individuals who are passionate about helping our operations to reach their full potential.

Of course though, things don’t always quite work out this way. Pretty ...

If you speak to most employers, they’ll probably tell you that they have a pretty good grasp on what’s going on in their workplace. There’s small talk over sandwiches in the canteen and important discussions in the meeting rooms. You probably feel like you have your finger on the pulse and know exactly what’s going ...

Being part of a family business can seem like a dream come true for many people. The opportunity to work alongside your nearest and dearest to pursue your goals and create financial independence is something that can have huge appeal, so it’s no surprise that Harvard Business School has reported that family firms account for ...

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll no doubt be more than aware that the new regulations regarding National Living Wage will soon be rolled out from 1^st April 2016. Workers in the UK aged over 25 earning the current minimum wage of £6.70 per hour will be entitled to a 50p increase....

When you’re an HR consultant, you often find yourself having in-depth conversations about how business owners can avoid legal action. Of course, we offer services that go way beyond this. We can help you to boost your profits, create a happier and more productive workforce and achieve your big strategic goals.

Still though, steering clear ...

An article published by the Financial Times recently suggested that those who work from home miss out on the important feeling that their lives and work have purpose. Unsurprisingly, the piece has caused a stir amongst the self-employed and business owners alike.

If you keep up to date with management trends and the latest strategies ...

If a member of your staff brought up a grievance, would you know how to handle it? Regardless of how good your people practices may be and how capable your line managers are, you might find yourself in a situation whereby you need to follow a formal grievance procedure.

This procedure should be included in ...

So your business has been moving in the right direction for quite some time and you’ve realised that your people really are your greatest asset. You know that effective HR practices and procedures can be the cornerstone of strategic growth, and you feel like you no longer have the time or energy to manage everything ...

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past six months, you’ll no doubt be more than aware that the new regulations regarding National Living Wage will soon be rolled out. From 1^st April 2016, workers in the UK aged over 25 earning the current minimum wage of £6.70 per hour will be ...

With many of us spending more and more time at the office, it’s no surprise that many working relationships blossom into something a little more intimate. In fact, research carried out by CareerBuilder.com found that 38% of workers have dated a colleague at some point in their working lives.

Those individuals are in pretty good ...

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled that employers can justify reading their workers’ online private messages.

An engineer in Romania asked the judges to rule that his employer had breached his right to confidential correspondence, but it was ultimately decided that the individual had broken the terms of his employment by sending ...

At this time of year, many of us are keen to get back on the right track after plenty of indulgence. The wine bottles have been drained and plenty of fruit and vegetables are back on the shopping list.

You’ve probably already considered your own health and fitness, but have you thought about your employees? ...

With the concept of a ‘job for life’ rapidly declining, many business owners are finding it increasingly tough to keep hold of their best people.

Even though the economic climate may be tough, talented employees always have other options, and if you aren’t doing all you can to keep them motivated and engaged, you’re running ...

At this time of the year, the weather is the topic of conversation in workplaces all over the country.
When will the cold snap end?
Are we wrapping up warm enough for the journey into work?

As a business owner though, your concerns may be a little more pressing. You might already know from experience ...

So when you take a look back at how your business performed in 2015, are you satisfied with what was achieved? A little reflection is always useful, but now’s the time to start thinking about the future. You no doubt have big plans for the next 12 months. You’ve got targets to meet and goals ...

Now that the dust has settled on the new year, it’s time for many bosses to get back to business and start creating their 2016 success story. You’ve hopefully been able to spend some time relaxing over the festive period, so you’re ready to face your new challenges with excitement.

Whether you were planning to ...

Growing a business without HR expertise is challenging at best, and a constant uphill struggle at worst. If you’ve ever had to tackle a people issue on your own, you’ll know just how stressful it can be.

Between trying to manage your legal obligations, and meeting your operational requirements, firefighting can become part of your ...

The UK government has announced that from April 2016, a mandatory national living wage for employees over the age of 25 will be introduced. For over 25’s the minimum wage currently stands at £6.70 but will be increased by 50p per hour from April to £7.20.

Conservative First Secretary of State George Osborne said, ‘Britain ...

As your business grows, you might decide that the time is right to start working with an HR consultant. It’s certainly true that having a people professional on your side can bring huge benefits, and it could be exactly what you need to create steady and manageable growth.

Before setting the wheels in motion, it ...

It’s inevitable that from time to time, your members of staff will get sick. It’s to be expected, and it’s something that you can’t really avoid as you grow your business and your workforce.

As an employer though, you need to be sure that you’re managing your sickness policies and procedures in the right way. ...

Have you started to think about how you’ll maximise your profits this festive season? Savvy business owners are starting to pull together their plans to ensure that they’ve built some strong foundations for success. Of course though, some expert guidance can really make all the difference, and that’s what we’re here to provide.

Perhaps you’re ...

As more and more people turn to e-cigarettes to curb their nicotine addiction, now is the time to review your company’s no smoking policy.

Points for action:

• The decision is a timely reminder to all employers that if they have not already done so, they should decide whether to allow employees to smoke e-cigarettes, personal ...

Getting the best from your people through good HR practices

Think that HR support is just about making sure that you don’t break the law, and having all the right paperwork in order?

You wouldn’t be alone in thinking that. It’s an approach that many business owners take, even in huge organisations that have the ...

New rights to allow parents to share leave following the birth or adoption of their child have now become law as of 1^st December 2014.

The new rules mean that couples with babies due, or children matched or placed for adoption, after 5 April 2015 will enable, after an initial two weeks, up to ...

If you’re hiring apprentices now, at the current minimum wage of £2.73 per hours, be aware that the coalition Government have announced that this rate will rise in October 2015 by a whopping 20% pushing apprenticeship salaries to a minimum £3.30 per hour. This increase is the largest ever seen for apprentices and is 50p ...

Having some HR support isn’t about being ‘pink and fluffy’, robust HR practices are critical not only for developing your business but for protecting you from financial risk.  Take note of the following common small business pitfalls and build in some structured processes and you could be protecting yourself against some of the biggest HR ...

Many employers that allow employees to have access to social media see it fraught with danger and choose to prohibit or tightly control access.  Others see it as an opportunity to use their employees to promote their brand and actively encourage them to become online advocates.

Whatever camp you fall into, if you don’t have ...

Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) rules that overtime should be taken into account when calculating holiday pay – what does it mean for businesses in practice?

The EAT ruled that people obliged to work overtime should have overtime pay and other bonuses and allowances included in their holiday pay.  This ruling could lead to pay-outs worth ...