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The start of a new year is a perfect opportunity for business owners to re-energise their teams, set clear goals, and create a workplace culture that drives engagement and productivity. As we step into 2025, for many businesses it is the start of their new financial year too, so a great opportunity to push the re-set button to boost employee engagement and align your workforce with your company’s mission and values. Before setting goals for the year, it is important…
Compliance with employment laws and regulations is a critical aspect of running a business, but it can often feel like navigating a minefield. For business owners, the stakes are high: non-compliance can result in significant financial penalties, damage to reputation, and a demoralised workforce. As we step into 2025, staying ahead of regulatory changes and adopting proactive compliance strategies is more important than ever. Non-compliance isn’t just about fines and legal costs—it can have a ripple effect on your business.…
This month in our Ask The Expert feature, we’re delighted to be joined by Julie, one of our experienced HR advisors, to discuss best practices for improving communication with employees. As workplace dynamics evolve, creating open and effective communication has never been more critical for maintaining a productive and engaged workforce. Julie offers invaluable insights for employers aiming to build trust and engagement with their teams The Importance of Openness and Transparency Julie emphasises that being open and honest with…
This month, we speak with Paula, our expert HR consultant, as we explore the important topic of how to support employee mental health and well-being during the festive season. Christmas, often celebrated as a time of joy and togetherness, can be challenging for some employees. Stress, loneliness, and financial pressures may heighten during this time, impacting mental health and overall wellbeing. As business owners, it’s essential to create a supportive environment that addresses these challenges and ensures your employees feel…
As the year draws to a close, it becomes more than just a time to wrap up tasks; it is an opportunity to reflect on achievements, learn from challenges, and prepare for a successful future. Taking a structured approach to year-end reviews and goal-setting can create momentum, boost morale, and align your team for the year ahead. Here’s how to make the most of this critical period. Celebrating successes—big and small—sets the tone for the end of the year. Highlighting…
The festive season is a special highlight in the workplace calendar—a time to celebrate successes, and show appreciation to your team. A well-planned celebration can leave lasting memories, enhance morale, and strengthen your organisation’s culture. However, hosting an event that is both safe and inclusive requires thoughtful planning. A successful celebration begins with inclusivity. Acknowledging and respecting the diverse cultural and religious backgrounds of your team ensures everyone feels welcome. Opting for themes like “Winter Wonderland” or “Season of Gratitude”…
The Chancellor’s recent budget announcement has introduced a suite of changes that will notably impact the financial landscape for small businesses in the coming year. Central to this update are increases in both National Insurance contributions and the National Minimum Wage, which employers across sectors will need to account for when planning their financial strategy and workforce management in 2025. National Insurance Contributions: Managing Increased Costs One of the primary changes that will affect small businesses is the increase in…
This month, we continue our conversation with Nita, our expert HR consultant, as we explore the sensitive topic of bereavement in the workplace. Whilst it is not a topic that often arises, more recently we have seen an increase in calls from employers who want to support grieving employees but are unsure of the best approach. Whether it is a loss of a child, parent or someone near and dear such as husband or wife, a common question we hear…
This month, we continue our conversation with Julie, our expert HR consultant, as we dig a little deeper into managing employees on long-term sick leave who may not be engaging with their employer. Our team often receives enquiries from employers struggling with unresponsive employees on sickness absence. The typical question we hear is, “My employee has been off sick, hasn’t provided a Fit Note, and won’t respond to any calls or emails. What should I do?” In this edition…
As World Mental Health Day 2024 approaches (10th October 2024) this year’s theme, “It’s Time to Prioritise Mental Health in the Workplace”, carries a particularly important message for small and medium-sized business. In today’s fast-paced business environment, workplace mental health and wellbeing are no longer just a “nice-to-have” but a strategic imperative that can directly impact productivity, employee engagement, and overall business success. The conversation around mental health in the workplace is evolving rapidly. In the UK alone, mental health…
HR:4UK’s 40 years of quality advice has helped businesses thrive. Throughout our time, we’ve supported and guided SME’s through a wide range of HR challenges, both routine and complex. Recently, we’ve noticed a growing number of inquiries to our payroll team from employers about issues related to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), particularly when it comes to paying their employees the correct amount. In this edition of ‘Ask the Expert,’ we’re addressing some of the most common questions surrounding SSP to…
As a small business owner, you may often find yourself wearing many hats, one of which may involve managing your own recruitment process without the benefit of a dedicated HR department. In the current environment, where the Labour government’s proposals aim to grant workers day-one rights not to be unfairly dismissed, the significance of getting your recruitment process right from the outset has never been more important. A well-structured recruitment process is no longer just about filling a vacancy; it’s…
For 40 years, HR:4UK has been a trusted partner, offering expert advice on a wide range of HR issues, both big and small. Lately, we have received numerous inquiries about managing sporadic absences in the workplace. Many employers encounter issues with poor attendance and/or sporadic absences from time to time, the best way to encourage regular attendance is to promote communication. So, how can employers tackle this issue effectively? To ensure effective management of employee attendance, it is essential…
Are you a business owner who has historically taken a relaxed approach to managing probation periods? Will it surprise you that you are not alone! Like many employers, you have found them to be too burdensome and have taken comfort in the two-year qualifying service requirement for unfair dismissal claims, which, let’s face it, provided a buffer to address performance issues without immediate legal repercussions. However, with the new Labour government’s proposed introduction of day one rights for employees, this…
Are you a business owner experiencing a surge in workload as the summer season approaches? Do you find yourself considering the idea of bringing in fresh talent to inject new energy into your team? Perhaps you are excited about the possibility of mentoring a young professional while gaining some much-needed support for your growing projects. You might be aware that hiring an intern involves more than just filling a position and you want to understand the legal landscape, ensuring compliance,…
Quality advice has helped HR:4UK thrive for 40 years now. Throughout our time, we’ve helped and advised you on a whole variety of HR issues, big and small. Recently, we’ve received quite a few questions regarding the impact on holiday entitlement when an employee is required or requests to work less days each week. Typical Question: When an employee requests to reduce the number of working days from 5 to 4, is their holiday entitlement affected? We have spoken to…
Imagine walking into your office on a typical Monday morning. The air feels thick with tension, but you can’t quite put your finger on why. The team, usually bustling with energy, seems subdued. There are whispers and uneasy glances exchanged across the room. As a manager, you are confident in your leadership and believe you’ve cultivated a positive work environment. Yet, something feels off. Later in the day, an email notification pops up on your screen with the subject line:…
We asked our advisor Julie Spence and here’s what she had to say: “Although the answer may seem simple Employers can often overlook salaried staff and only consider those that are paid hourly”. Over 524 employers were named and shamed by HMRC in March 2024 for underpaying employees—this left over 172,000 workers out of pocket and a sum of £16 million to be paid. There’s a lot to consider, but as a general rule, you need to track every hour your employees…