At this time of year our thoughts often look to the future and what 2024 might hold! The four-day week is still a relatively new concept. We know that some of you are already doing it and others may be thinking of it for next year or beyond. It has also recently been...
Can employees form romantic relationships at work? Well, that very much depends on the business. The recent departure of Philip Schofield from ITV (after a workplace relationship with a younger colleague) has highlighted the reputational damage that can occur when...
We recently talked about understanding anxiety and how it impacts people. In the workplace it’s important to understand that someone struggling with anxiety may not be displaying any clear signs. What could happen, is they may be experiencing symptoms that result in...
The last few years have been tough, we’ve just emerged from the pandemic only to come face to face with the new cost of living crisis. We’re sure that you will have felt some of this impact yourself, as well as witnessing the effect it has had on the wellbeing of your...
People are at the heart of business. It is important to have a diverse workforce and strive to build and maintain an inclusive culture no matter the size of your business. As a small business you might not have the employee...
The office Christmas party – what you need to know as an employer We’ve all got our own work Christmas party stories, but how many would you rather forget? As an employer, you might be feeling uneasy about what you can be held liable for when it comes to staff...
Since the pandemic more and more small businesses have been re-evaluating the way that they work. Employee expectations have also increased in relation to work-life balance and personal wellbeing, so many small businesses have started trialling a four-day work week....
Are you buying or selling a business? Then you’ll need to think about what will happen to the employees of the company being transferred. The first step is to get to know the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (as amended by the 2014...
Holidays should be relaxing. Unless, of course, you're the person managing all the annual leave requests from employees! Calculating entitlements for different workers and ensuring everyone receives the statutory minimum paid leave can feel like an administrative...
With December fast approaching you may be wondering how to host the perfect work Christmas party under the Coronavirus current restrictions or whether just to cancel altogether. Cancelling might seem to be the easiest option with the least risk but hosting a Christmas...
The Coronavirus has caused unprecedented disruption to businesses, from recruitment and how we conduct interviews to keeping our teams engaged, across the globe, which has led to many companies, big and small, working remotely to keep their staff safe. Whilst this...
As many countries across Europe start to ease restrictions, it looks as though the UK, after two months of working from home, will soon be following suit. Whilst some businesses who were forced to close now have the green light to re-open, it is really important that...
With Brexit looming large, candidates are becoming more cautious about putting all their job eggs in one basket. They don’t want to take a risk on a company that looks only half-decent, or that doesn’t offer them everything they’re looking for. Businesses are now...
Annual leave should be something to look forward to. It’s a chance for your employees to take a well-earned rest, spend time with family, go travelling and come back energised and full of fresh ideas. However, if you’re the person responsible for managing your...
When an employee has been off work with long-term sickness it's sometimes beneficial for them to make a gradual, phased return to work instead of jumping straight back in with their full contractual hours and duties. A phased return to work might involve: a shorter...
Are you a small business owner struggling over whether to outsource your HR? We've put together this guide to explain what outsourcing HR involves, how to do it and what the benefits are for employers. In the guide we'll cover: What is HR outsourcing Why outsource HR...
Time off in lieu, or TOIL, is when an employee works pre-approved overtime and receives compensatory time off for the same amount. For example, if an individual works an extra two hours one day with their manager’s approval, they can then “bank” those two hours to...
Need to make a new hire? Where should you start looking for candidates? Start-ups obviously have no other option but to hire from the outside. However, when a company gets to about 20 employees or so, the best place to start looking might be internally. In this post...
Looking to recruit but are unsure what you should be considering? Do not worry, a lot of people we speak to everyday ask similar questions. There are a number of steps employers must take to stay on the right side of the law when it comes to recruiting employees. Much...
When checking someone’s right to work in the UK, you’ll need to view valid documentation and make and save a copy of these. Failing to do so for everyone you employ is breaking the law, so you need to ensure it’s a routine part of your recruitment process. Why is...
There are four different terms to be aware of when it comes to employment contracts: express terms, statutory terms, implied terms and incorporated terms. While only express terms, such as pay and working hours, must be documented in writing via a written statement,...
Adapting to life after losing a loved one can be extremely challenging. Bereaved employees are prone to increased stress, difficulty concentrating and reduced productivity. Calm and compassionate communication, a sensitivity to the impact a bereavement can have, and a...
With Brexit negotiations coming increasingly close to the wire, you’re possibly feeling left in the lurch over what actions you should be taking to best prepare your business. Is there anything you can start doing now? If there is good news in all this, it’s that it’s...
How to identify and manage gross misconduct in the workforce.