What’s going on in the world is always going to be a talking point at work – but with so much conflict in the news, and such sharply-divided opinions, it’s important those “water-cooler” conversations don’t turn into anything more serious. So how should employers...
Spooky season is upon us and Halloween is just around the corner, so to keep with the theme we thought we’d share some scary HR nightmares that took place over the last month. We’ve picked three HR nightmares and given you some advice on how you can avoid making these...
Our values shape us. Not only do they shape how we live our day to day lives but they are the bedrock of a business, shaping its culture and vision. That’s why it’s so important to get your values right for your small business. Why are values so important for a small...
As so many small businesses continue to feel the challenges of the changing economy, we are seeing more and more people use the services of consultants. Choosing to use a consultant for your small business can bring many benefits. Consultants can provide excellent...
As a legal specialist working at citrus HR, my role is to keep all our materials and templates up-to-date and to give our customers regular updates on developments in employment law and how they affect their business. Employment law is constantly evolving, and it can...
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...
In most instances, issues of employee misconduct can be dealt with informally. A quiet word and a reminder of your standards may well be enough. However, if you have an employee presenting repeated or serious misconduct issues, you should follow the disciplinary...
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...
In situations where you’re investigating an employee for gross misconduct, you may find it appropriate to suspend them. Suspension can be a useful measure to take but, as with all people matters, there’s a process that you need to follow carefully. If you suspend one...
As if employing people and worrying about employment law wasn’t challenging enough, as an employer, you’re expected to understand the intricacies of discrimination at work. Added to this is the rapid development of social attitudes, which makes it even more confusing...
Protecting your customer and employee data might seem easy, but with different hacking techniques coming into play on a daily basis, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to know if you are emailing Helen the HR Assistant or Sam the Scammer. But never fear. There are...
The notorious April Fools' Day is upon us, which means it’s the time of year when an office prank or two are most likely to pop up, even with a lot of us hybrid working. Whether everyone is back in the workplace or not, there are lots of opportunities for your...
With the latest changes to immigration, it’s now more important than ever to stay on top of the latest employment law news and understand what to do to check new employees’ right to work. It is really important to check that every person you employ has the legal right...
IR35 is a tricky piece of legislation to get to grips with. And while compliance has previously been the responsibility of individuals working through a personal service company (PSC) or an intermediary, recent reforms are shifting responsibility onto the businesses...
As an employer, it’s always difficult when an employee raises a grievance. It’s hard to hear that a member of the team isn’t happy at your company, especially in a small business, where staff can be more tight-knit. The main way to prevent grievances is to try and...
Due to the current political landscape in the UK, people's views on politics will inevitably surface in the workplace. With so many differing opinions, beliefs and political affiliations flying about, there’s a possibility that discussion could turn into an argument...
Now that 99% of people have a smartphone in their pocket, it’s a real worry for employers that they’ll find themselves being secretly recorded by an employee. This can throw up all sorts of problems, from creating mistrust between colleagues to leaving you on the...
Can employees form romantic relationships at work? Well, that very much depends on the business. And as the news scandal concerning former McDonald’s CEO Steve Easterbrook has brought to light, if you work at McDonald’s, you can’t. Easterbrook was dismissed from his...
There are many awkward situations you can find yourself in as an employer, but few are more awkward than approaching an employee who has body odour. While an employee’s body odour may be due to issues with personal hygiene, it’s important not to jump to this...
Gross misconduct is when an employee commits a serious act that immediately destroys your working relationship with them. If this happens, you can consider summarily dismissing the employee without notice, but you must also make sure you follow a proper disciplinary...
Managing an employee with an alcohol problem is one of the most difficult issues you can face as an employer. Not only are their attendance records likely to take a hit, but their alcohol dependence can also have a negative effect on the volume and quality of work the...
If you've accidentally overpaid an employee, don't worry, it happens, and in most circumstances, you’ll be able to get the money back. But can an employer take back overpaid salary from an individual's wages, and what does the law say about employee rights when this...
To dismiss an employee legally in the UK, you must ensure you have a valid reason for doing so. You must also take care to follow a fair procedure. No employer wants to find themselves needing to dismiss someone, and if it's your first time doing so, the process can...
How to identify and manage gross misconduct in the workforce.