Six Month Unfair Dismissal Rights: the law is changing in January 2027 and you need to act NOW
I have written before about the Employment Rights Act 2025 and the significant changes this is bringing into the workplace. There is another major change from January next year, which employers need to start to plan for right now. Dismissing someone within two years of their start date As from 1st January 2027, the qualifying […]
Does using the Grievance Procedure resolve the issue?
My blog is a little late this month as I have been involved in some grievance investigations for more than one client. It seems that there are some very unhappy people in the workplace at the moment and, in some ways, it is not difficult to see why. The national economic situation is still in […]
Are Your HR Policies Ready for April 2026? A Guide for Small Employers & Charities
If you run a small business or charity, keeping your HR paperwork up to date can easily slip down the priority list. But with significant employment law changes coming into force from April 2026 and beyond, now is the time to check that your policies, procedures and documents are still compliant—and fit for purpose. Added […]
Motivating Your Workforce: What Really Works
Low productivity and poor motivation seem to be common employer laments at the moment. The Oxford Dictionary defines “motivation” as the drive, enthusiasm and willingness to do something. On the other hand, “demotivation” is defined as: the feeling of being less motivated, enthusiastic or keen Business costs are rising, causing high employment and a reluctance […]
Sickness Absence Management Is About To Get Much More Important For Employers
One of the major changes which will affect every employer, but may have a huge financial impact on smaller employers, is that Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) rules change from 1st April this year.
It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year: or is it?
Christmas should be a really happy time of year. It’s a time of goodwill, excitement, and a time to celebrate with family and friends. But not for everyone. For some people, Christmas is a nightmare. For others it can just be a time of chaos and confusion. Some think it is no different than any […]
Are Disengaged Employees Holding Back Your Business Growth?
Whatever the size of your business or charity, you want it to thrive and grow. And your employees are the most important factor in that growth. So it makes good business sense to keep your employees engaged with your business and keen to support your vision and goals. And yet most businesses have some disengaged […]
The Last Impression: Why Leavers Matter More Than You Think
When somebody leaves our employment, it is important to get it right. It is tempting to think that the ship has sailed and so it is just time to move on to another employee and forget about the person who is leaving/has left. How we treat people who are leaving our employment says a good […]
How much is absenteeism costing your small business?
A recent report from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) shows that for smaller businesses of 50 or fewer employees, absenteeism costs £547 per employee annually. And that is just in sick pay. It does not include other hidden costs. What are the hidden costs for employers when people are off sick? When an […]
Holidays and Time Off: What Employers Need to Know
I’ve had a number of queries recently about holiday entitlements, compassionate leave, and time off for caring for disabled relatives—essentially, all the various reasons people may need time away from work. Having just returned from a holiday myself, I thought now was a good time to write a blog that explores this topic in more […]