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If you run a small business, you’ll know that every single person counts. You don’t have the luxury of multiple departments or a spare hand to step in when someone is off. When an employee calls in sick, it’s more than just an inconvenience — it can throw the whole week off balance. But when that sickness turns into a long-term absence, the pressure multiplies. You are trying to keep the business running, keep the rest of the team motivated,…
Uncovering the Hidden Factors Behind Performance Concerns Over the past year, we have seen an increasing number of situations where what begins as a performance concern turns out to be something very different. A manager calls because an employee is missing deadlines, losing focus, or struggling to follow through on tasks. Conversations are held — sometimes informally over a coffee, sometimes formally during a disciplinary meeting — and at some point, the employee explains that they have ADHD, usually as…
As business owners, we all understand the importance of hiring the right people. A strong hire can drive your business forward, contribute positively to your culture, and even spark innovation. But what happens when recruitment goes wrong? Speaking from experience, we’ve got it wrong many times and learned some tough lessons along the way. However, as our business has grown, we’ve refined our approach and, more recently, absolutely nailed it with the right people coming on board. It makes all…
Why They’re Increasing and How Employers Should Respond At HR:4UK, we’ve recently seen a noticeable rise in the number of Subject Access Requests (SARs) submitted by employees—often closely followed by grievances or appeals after disciplinary action has been taken. While SARs are a legitimate legal tool under the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018, it’s important that employers understand both their obligations and the wider context in which these requests are being used. It’s worth acknowledging that this increase…
When the Grievance Sounds Too Polished Artificial intelligence is becoming part of everyday working life. More and more businesses are integrating tools like ChatGPT and other generative AI platforms into their operations—from automating customer service and analysing data, to drafting content and streamlining administrative tasks. Much of the discussion so far has rightly focused on how employers should manage the responsible use of AI within their business: what policies to implement, how to safeguard data, and what guardrails to put…
As HR consultants, we often talk about protected characteristics. It’s a phrase we’re used to using – but how often do we stop to check whether our clients know exactly what it means? Let’s face it, when you’re running a small business, your plate is already full. Between managing cash flow, supporting your team, and keeping customers happy, employment law can feel like just one more thing to keep track of. If you’re a small or medium-sized business owner or…
When one of your employees goes on maternity leave, it can raise a number of questions—not least around what happens to their pension contributions. This is an area where many employers are unsure of their legal obligations and best practice, especially when dealing with statutory maternity pay (SMP), enhanced schemes, or unpaid leave. To clear things up, I sat down with one of our HR consultants, Ella Crooks, to discuss how pension contributions are affected during maternity leave, what employers…
Banter. It’s something most small teams rely on to build rapport, lift morale, and keep things light. In many workplaces, it’s a sign of close-knit culture. But what happens when the jokes go too far? When does “just having a laugh” cross the line – and what responsibility do you, as an employer, have to step in? As an HR consultant who’s worked with SMEs for over 30 years, I can tell you this: the biggest risk with banter isn’t…
Imagine it’s 2027 and you’re called to an employment tribunal about a staff disciplinary meeting that happened back in 2024. Can you remember exactly what was said in that hearing? Who promised what, or how an employee responded to a critical question? For many businesses, this scenario isn’t far-fetched – the backlog of employment tribunal cases has swollen to nearly 50,000, and some hearings are now being scheduled as far ahead as 2027 or even 2028. With such delays, memories…
I recently met a potential client who confidently told me they didn’t need HR support because they could “just use ChatGPT to write contracts.” And I get it – we’re all trying to work smarter, not harder. The rise of artificial intelligence (AI), especially tools like ChatGPT, has been nothing short of incredible. You can ask it to draft a disciplinary letter or even help write a job advert – and voilà, it produces something in seconds. But let me…
We’ve had quite a few employers reach out recently feeling a little blindsided when an employee suddenly asks for a pay rise. It’s one of those moments that can make business owners feel cornered – especially when it’s not budgeted for, or the way it’s raised feels more like a threat than a discussion. One recent caller told us that they dismissed an employee because asking for a pay rise didn’t align with their company values. That might sound extreme,…
Words like strategy, strategic thinking, and strategic leadership are often thrown around in boardrooms and management meetings. They sound impressive—evoking visions of forward-thinking, proactive leadership—but far too often, they lack substance when it comes to practical application. Now, more than ever, it’s time to bridge the gap between buzzword and behaviour. With the new Employment Law Bill making its way through Parliament, businesses across the UK are approaching a tipping point—especially in relation to the anticipated restrictions on fire and…
Headlines were recently buzzing—not about match points or Grand Slam glory, but about an awkward moment courtside at the Rouen Open in France. During a changeover in the second set, a professional tennis player was overheard asking the umpire to request that her opponent put on deodorant, stating she “smells really bad.” The comment sparked a media storm, social media debates, and more than a few uncomfortable laughs over breakfast. The professional tennis player has since apologised for the remark,…
Introduction With the growing use of online platforms and flexible learning, many employers are offering workplace training that can be completed remotely or outside of normal hours. But what happens when that training is mandatory? Should employees be paid for time spent learning in their own time? This month, we spoke with Paula, our expert HR consultant to clarify the legal position, explore best practice, and help employers stay on the right side of the law. We recently received a…
Internal investigations are becoming increasingly common in the workplace, particularly as employee awareness and regulatory expectations continue to grow. In this edition of Ask the Expert, we look at what employers need to know when conducting workplace investigations—from first steps to final outcomes—and how to approach this sensitive process with professionalism, fairness, and care. Angela sat down with Ella and this is what she had to say: Internal investigations seem to be on the rise. What’s driving this increase? Ella:…
For many business owners, having a retained HR service can feel like insuring your house. It might seem like an ongoing expense that you rarely use, leading you to question whether it’s truly necessary. But much like home insurance, the real value becomes clear when a crisis arises. When you need expert HR support, the cost of not having it far outweighs the subscription fee. The Value of Retained HR Support Running a business comes with a host of people…
As employers, we’d all like to believe our teams are full of honest, well-intentioned people — and for the most part, they are. But every so often, something doesn’t quite add up. A complaint that feels off. A CV that seems a bit too polished. A staff member caught in a cover-up. And when that happens, it can shake your confidence, your culture, and your sense of who to trust. Dishonesty in the workplace comes in many forms — some…
As you may be aware, if your holiday year starts on 1st April, there have only been 7 bank holidays between 1st April 2024 and 31st March 2025, as Good Friday fell on 29th March 2024, and Easter Monday fell on 1 April. This reduction in bank holidays could affect your employees’ holiday entitlements, particularly where workers are entitled to the statutory minimum under the Working Time Regulations which is 28 days per annum including bank holidays. Before the end of…