HR Blog

Nobody enjoys holding a difficult conversation in the workplace, but the reality is that they are an inevitable part of every leadership role. Whether it’s addressing poor performance or behaviours, turning down employee requests or tackling personality clashes, it can be tempting to bury your head in the sand. However, mastering the art of holding … Read more

Recent ACAS figures show a significant jump in disputes involving disability discrimination. Early conciliation cases have increased by more than 40% compared to the previous year, with notifications moving from roughly 15,000 to just over 20,000. Tribunal‑related cases have followed a similar trajectory, climbing by over 40% to close to 12,000 referrals. Mental health and … Read more

Rewarding employees is no longer just about bonuses or annual recognition schemes. In today’s workplace, emotional rewards, those thoughtful, personal gestures tied to meaningful life moments, can make a real difference. They build trust, boost loyalty and create a workplace culture where people feel genuinely valued. And the best part? These rewards don’t need to cost a … Read more

The summer holiday season is upon us. However, before we get there, there are a few things to think about and plan for. In this feature, I will walk you through some holiday-related issues that can arise during the summer months and the law that applies to them. Background The Working Time Regulations 1998 (WTR) … Read more

Business leaders have a key role to play in ensuring that their organisations do not discriminate against workers who are suffering from mental ill health. Introduction Mental health is important in the workplace. Many people in employment have a recognised mental illness. Still more suffer from mental ill health or stress-related issues. The majority perform … Read more

The latest CIPD Labour Market Outlook has revealed that employer confidence is at its lowest level since 2020 and that due to rising employment costs, many organisations are looking to scale back recruitment and limit training investment. With this being the case, managing employee absence, especially long-term absence, is as important as ever. Background The … Read more

Approximately one in 6 people in the UK suffer from some form of mental health issue. In 2023/24 (the latest available statistics from the Office of National Statistics), 16.4 million working days were lost to work-related mental health issues including stress, depression and anxiety, with sufferers taking on average 21.1 days off. Positive employer attitudes … Read more

Embracing neurodiversity in the workplace is essential for fostering an inclusive environment that leverages the unique strengths of all employees. Neurodivergent individuals—those with neurological differences such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and others—often possess exceptional skills in areas like pattern recognition, creativity, and attention to detail. By valuing these diverse perspectives, organisations can enhance innovation, problem-solving … Read more

Last week there were a lot of headlines around this huge piece of legislation that has the intention of strengthening employee rights for many employees.  The good news is that most of this will take a while to be approved, but some things employers need to start thinking about.   As always, I am here to … Read more

Clear HR policies and procedures are important when running a successful organisation, and for managing a diverse group of people. However, policies and procedures can become ineffective or inappropriate as organisations change and expand their systems. Therefore, it is important to ensure that they are reviewed on a regular basis to identify areas for improvement. … Read more