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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…
Does this sound familiar? You’re the owner of a small business that has grown from a team of five to twenty in the last two years. You’ve been so focused on growth that performance reviews have fallen by the wayside. Now, you’re noticing problems cropping up: deadlines are being missed, the quality of work is slipping, and team morale is at an all-time low. Consider Jane, a talented marketing specialist who was once one of your star performers. Lately, she…
An Overview of Employment Legislation and Future Plans Are you feeling overwhelmed by the impending wave of employment law changes set for 2024? Whether you find yourself feeling swamped by the new developments, tempted to put your head in the sand, or driven to stay ahead and be prepared, this article is here to help you understand these changes with confidence. With the recent dissolution of Parliament, many of us are left questioning which legislative changes will stand, which will…
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…
From 6 April 2024, there is a new statutory right to carer’s leave, as outlined in the Carer’s Leave Act 2023 and further detailed in the Carer’s Leave Regulations 2024. This progressive change signals a new era of support for employees shouldering caring responsibilities, ensuring they receive the leave they need from day one of their employment. What This Means for You and Your Team: Immediate Eligibility: From their first day, employees can avail themselves of carer’s leave, ensuring support…
National Apprenticeship Week runs from 5th to 11th February across England marking the perfect time for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) to explore how apprenticeships can help their business. This week not only marks a celebration of apprenticeship success stories but is also a reminder for businesses to understand and leverage the benefits of apprenticeships. In this article, we’ll explore apprenticeships, their advantages for companies, and the key things SMEs should consider when taking apprentices on. Understanding Apprenticeships Apprenticeships are…
The workplace is often a hub of high pressure and intense interactions, where conflicts among staff can escalate quickly. In such a tense atmosphere, how should an employer react when an employee, caught in a contentious exchange with their manager, impulsively resigns, only to withdraw their resignation shortly after? ‘Heat of the moment’ resignations is a hot topic in our Employment Appeal Tribunals, so let’s delve a little deeper to see what lessons can be learned. What is a Heat…
January is often dubbed as the “Divorce Month,” whether this is a myth or reality, we simply don’t know but January usually marks a traditional spike in the number of couples deciding to part ways, with the pressures of the Christmas season being the last straw. Alongside moving home, death of a loved one, divorce is one of the most stressful life events that a person can ever go through. But what does this mean for an employer, I hear…
In the dynamic world of small businesses, the health and well-being of employees are paramount. Engaging with occupational health services early can yield substantial benefits, enhancing employee well-being and productivity, reducing absenteeism, and fostering a positive work environment. Occupational health services traditionally focus on assisting employees in returning to work after long-term sickness absence or injury. However, it’s increasingly recognised that occupational health can play a crucial role in supporting employees who, despite health challenges, wish to remain at work.…
2023 was a bit of whirlwind with all the Private Members Bills making their way through parliament. It has been a landmark year for many reasons, and in it we have witnessed significant developments in the realm of employment law, shaping the landscape for both employers and employees for years to come. So, what better time to carry out a comprehensive review of the key changes and updates that we can expect to come into force in 2024 and what…
Continuing on from our discussion of the year’s changes, which you can find here, do enjoy this, our second part. Family-Friendly Measures Protection from Redundancy (Pregnancy and Family Leave) Act 2023 Although employers must already allow their staff to return to the same or similar role following a period of maternity, and indeed offer alternatives to redundancy, 2023’s new changes provide extra protection for pregnant employees or those already on maternity leave against redundancy. The Changes This level of protection…
As the festive season rolls in, Christmas Jumper Day is here to give us its warm embrace to match! This year’s Christmas Jumper day is tomorrow, Thursday the 7th of December, and we at HR:4UK are looking forward to much fun, laughter and merriment. Originally conceived as a light-hearted way to raise funds for charity, this day has become a staple in the festive calendar for many and a great way to come together for a good cause. However, in today’s…
For years, employers in the UK have grappled with the complexities of calculating and administering holiday pay. The landscape of employment law, especially regarding holiday entitlements, has been continually evolving, often leaving businesses in a state of uncertainty. The turning point in this saga was the landmark 2022 Harpur Trust v Brazel case, which marked a significant deviation from the established norms, especially for atypical workers. This article aims to demystify the upcoming Employment Rights (Amendment, Revocation and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2023.…
In the dawning age of workplace digitalisation, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a revolutionary force. From automating mundane tasks to providing predictive analytics, AI promises to reshape the UK workplace. However, with great technology comes great responsibility, particularly in the realm of legal compliance and ethical considerations. As employers in the UK explore the frontiers of AI, understanding the legal landscape is crucial. AI and Recruitment: Fairness in Algorithms One of the primary applications of AI in the workplace…
The advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has called forth a new era of technological disruption that is reshaping industries and economies – even the very nature of human life itself – like a tidal wave, unstoppable and unyielding. In much of the developed world, AI is playing an increasingly prominent role in the workforce, offering unparalleled opportunities but also dangers hitherto unknown. As such, there’s no better time to discuss the impact that it has already had on the world…
The country is currently in the depths of a cost-of-living crisis that has left many individuals and families struggling to make ends meet. As prices continue to soar and wages struggle to keep pace, the burden of maintaining a decent standard of living is becoming increasingly strenuous. This situation is further exacerbated as we approach the Christmas period, when additional expenses, such as gifts and holiday celebrations, put extra pressure on households. In such trying times, incentivising and rewarding employees…
A factor, which is really important to us here at HR: 4UK, is helping our community. We have developed a fantastic relationship with the local charity Menphys over the years: a relationship we are really proud of, and one we look forward to developing further. Who are Menphys? Menphys is a Leicestershire charity for disabled children, young people and their families. Their ambition? A future full of equal choices and opportunities for disabled children, young people and their families, empowering…
Following the launch of our new Resource Centre, there have been some common issues which clients have encountered. To continue to support you, we have shared 9 of these questions to help you take advantage of your new eConnect Resource Centre, allowing you to save valuable time and money. If you’re currently not a client then you can find out more about our eConnect HR Software and some of the frequently asked questions about our eConnect tool. Q1: I’m trying to login to the…