Staff Management
To follow on from our detailed newsletter article on the nature of how sexual harassment occurs in the workplace, HR:4UK are now producing a series of top tips to help employers who are worried about instances of sexual harassment in their place of work What can Employers do to Prevent Sexual Harassment at Work? ACAS advisor Gary Wedderburn made it very clear in his discussion with Glamour Magazine1: “Employers should take steps such as explain what sexual harassment is, what types…
Starting a new job can be a daunting undertaking. As an extension of our ‘Employee Onboarding: What to do – and what not to do’, we’re creating a series of guides on how to keep talented employees and avoid that dreaded staff turnover. For this issue, we’re taking a look at mentorship programs, what they are and how they can help new staff feel part of the team and, above all, improve that all-important ‘time to competency’. According to Forbes,…
Over 12.8 million working adults in the UK suffer from chronic disease1. That’s over 30% of the working population. Persistent ill health represents a significant economic burden for society due to the heightened pressure on the healthcare system, the increased sickness absence and the amount of productivity lost. Current research suggests that those with chronic health conditions are better served at work, yet the demands of modern employment can often contribute to the continued development of chronic diseases. As a…
Only the luckiest of us have never experienced them, but those who have tend to say one thing: avoid toxic workplace cultures like the proverbial plague. For others still, they may not even realise that their workplace is toxic at all. At HR:4UK, we’re on hand to help you spot the signs, and what employers and employees can do to combat the onset of toxicity. What is a ‘Toxic Workplace Culture’? Company’s cultures can be their greatest strength or, when…
We’ve all had those moments that might push you over the edge, when a word or two said in anger or frustration slips out. However, sometimes swear words are not used just used in a state of annoyance, but are aimed towards colleagues or others with the intention to offend and hurt. Every instance is context-dependant. Therefore, it can be tricky to know exactly when swearing at work becomes gross misconduct, and when it doesn’t. This article aims to give…
The extraordinary level of sudden heat this June is causing concern for many businesses; so much so that the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has encouraged employers to take action to ensure that their staff our protected during the periods of extreme hot weather that we are now facing. Much like in July 2022, this June we are experiencing quite the rise in temperature. The UK is ill-equipped for it: unlike other places where we might venture on holiday, Britain’s…
Workplace fertility challenges affect millions of people in the UK, and yet this issue is largely overlooked within working environments. With as many as one in seven couples suffering fertility difficulties, it’s important to ensure that business owners are aware of what their employees may be going through and that they provide appropriate support when needed1. Currently, there is no statutory time off for fertility treatment. This article outlines the proposals in The Fertility Treatment (Employment Rights) Bill 2022-2023, a…
Did you know that around 80% of women with menopause will experience symptoms such as hot flushes, sleeping problems and mood changes! This has a drastic effect on their day to day lives and can last four years on average (although many women say they have had symptoms for a lot longer). The way in which a lot of women cope with the menopause is with HRT – Hormone Replacement Therapy. HRT helps around one million people in the UK…
With the month of May seeming to have more 4-day weeks than 5-day weeks we thought it would be a good time to update you on the 4-day working week trial. Long-awaited data from this pilot arrived in February – and results were overwhelmingly positive. Between June and December 2022, workers at more than 60 UK companies with more than 3,300 employees tested a four-day working week. As a result of this trial, more than 90% of participating businesses have…
In recent weeks we have seen an increase in call volumes from clients who have employees on long-term sick leave. Long-term sickness is classed as a period of continuous absence from work lasting four weeks or more. We understand that dealing with employees on long-term sick leave can be stressful and difficult for employers, but our advice would always be to deal with it sensitively and proactively, not allowing the situation to get out of control. Your sickness policy will…
The cost of living crisis has left many people struggling financially, leading to an increase in the number of employees working multiple jobs or roles. Recent research shows that one in six employees claimed they were working two jobs to help pay their bills, while one in three said they were considering a second job if costs continued to rise. While working two jobs can help employees to ease the financial burden, it also poses a range of challenges for…
As the cost of living crisis continues to bite, the strike action that started last year is set to continue for the foreseeable future. With the proposed teacher’s strikes in the UK planned for February and March this year, there is ever-increasing pressure on businesses and employees alike. The teacher strike action could also have different impacts on the same school on multiple days, as different teacher trade unions are striking on different days. Whilst schools ought to be giving…
How to Keep Top Talent A company’s ability to attract and retain talented workers is vital to its success, as it provides stability and helps maintain a productive workforce. Happy employees are essential to a successful business. When employees feel valued, respected and rewarded, they are more likely to stay with the company long-term and be positive members of the team. Investing and improving employee retention…
Miscarriage Support – Why is it Needed? Losing a baby during pregnancy is an incredibly heart-breaking experience. It can take an emotional and physical toll on the woman who has experienced it, as well as her family, friends and employers. In this article, we will explore the common causes of miscarriage before 24 weeks gestation, how employers can implement miscarriage support for their employees through such a difficult time, and strategies for moving forward after losing a baby. We hope…
Why is it Important to Support Those Dealing With Menopause in the Workplace? Research suggests that 1 in 10 women leave their job due to the symptoms of perimenopause or menopause in the workplace. Whether this is due to a lack of support or fears of not being able to cope with the symptoms, it’s a figure that needs to change. Whilst the subject used to be taboo, we have made great progress in raising awareness. But, the time has…
The energy crisis is at the forefront of all of our minds, but how will this affect our power supply and power cuts in the UK? In these changing times, it can be hard to stay informed about what it all means for the UK, and for you as an employer. HR:4UK is here to keep you informed on those changes, and how they will likely impact business owners and employers. Today, we wanted to cover all there is to…
Annual leave is something most of us look forward to, it’s the time throughout the year where we can take a break from work whether it is used to relax at home, go on holiday or celebrate a special occasional or seasonal holiday. However, as employers, it may be filling you with less excitement if your employees have yet to book their annual leave as we approach the end of the year. Effectively managing annual leave can bring an array…
Employee Benefits and Engagement: Did you know that 98% of employers recognise the importance of raising awareness of employee engagement with benefits and/or wellbeing? As a business, if you appreciate the positive elements of employee engagement in your workforce, especially after the last couple of years, employee engagement is a crucial part of the success of your business. Making sure you not only appreciate and support your employees but provide them with the best quality benefits package is bound to improve…