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Welcome to our Blog
Read the Robinson Grace HR Consultancy blog for interesting HR news, updates, legislation and tips to help your business.


The Fair Work Agency: What Small Businesses Need to Know for April 2026
Launching on 7 April 2026, the new Fair Work Agency will consolidate enforcement of employee rights including National Minimum Wage and agency worker protections. Over time, the Fair Work Agency will take on enforcement of additional rights such as holiday pay. The agency will have powers to investigate breaches, issues civil penalties and take action against labour exploitation. If you are an employer in the UK, this blog explains what this means for you and what you shoul

Robinson Grace HR
Mar 26


Redundancy Explained: Voluntary vs Compulsory
What is ‘ redundancy ’? Redundancy is a form of dismissal that can occur when employers need to reduce their workforce, when a role or position is no longer required, or when there is a closure of business. Redundancy affects job roles or posts, not specific people. When considering making redundancies, employers will engage in consultation with affected employees to communicate the business rationale and to share the criteria that will be used in selecting those for redund

Robinson Grace HR
Mar 23


Does Your Holiday Year Run 1 Apr – 31 Mar? This Blog is for You!
Most holiday years, regardless of when they start and end, include 8 Bank Holidays. However, due to the way Easter falls in 2026 and 2027, holiday years that run from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 will include 10 Bank Holidays in England and Wales ! What does this mean for you? Check Your Contract Wording Refer to the holiday or annual leave section in your contracts . If the wording says workers are entitled to “x days total to include bank holidays”, then you do not ne

Robinson Grace HR
Feb 11


HR in 2026: What Small Business Owners Need to Know About the Employment Rights Act 2025
The Employment Rights Act 2025 will bring major changes for UK employers. Here’s what small business owners need to do to stay compliant and support their teams. What is the Employment Rights Act 2025? The Employment Rights Act 2025 is the latest update to UK employment law. It introduces stronger protections for employees with 6 months of service, new rules on statutory sick pay , eligibility for parental and paternity leave from day one, and a greater focus on preventing

Robinson Grace HR
Feb 9


Health and Safety Obligations for SMEs in 2026: Key Risks and Practical Steps
As we move into 2026, the landscape for UK employers is evolving fast – not just in employment law, but in health and safety too. In this blog, our Health and Safety Lead, Andrew , breaks down what businesses should be doing now to meet their health and safety obligations in 2026, highlighting key risks and practical steps that can be taken by businesses to demonstrate commitment to the safety of employees and members of the public. 1. Fire Risk Assessments Landlo

Robinson Grace HR
Jan 22


Statutory Sick Pay Changes in 2026: What Small Businesses Must Do Now
From April 2026, the UK’s Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) rules are changing, and small businesses must act fast to stay compliant and protect their people. What’s Changing? Day-one entitlement : Statutory Sick Pay will be paid from the first day of sickness (no more three-day waiting period). All workers eligible : The lower earnings limit is gone. Everyone qualifies, no matter their income. Support for lower earners : Employees earning below the standard SSP rate will receive 80

Robinson Grace HR
Jan 7


Creating Neuro-Affirming Festive Celebrations
With thanks to The Missing Link for this guest blog A Guide for Organisations Supporting Neurodivergent Employees and Those with Mental Health Challenges Introduction The festive season is often portrayed as a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness. However, for neurodivergent individuals and those experiencing mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, and panic attacks, the weeks leading up to the holidays can be a period of significant stress and overwhe

Robinson Grace HR
Dec 4, 2025


7 Top Tips for Writing Job Adverts
Recruiting the right person for your organisation starts with a great job advert. A well-written job advert not only reflects the culture of your organisation, and your brand, but it’s your chance to attract the right people to really enhance your team from the start. Here are seven tried-and-tested tips to help your job adverts stand out and attract the people that are right for you. 1. Start with a strong, clear job title No one searches for a “Customer Happiness Hero”

Robinson Grace HR
Oct 8, 2025


What Do Employers Need to Do When an Employee Wants to Retire?
Retirement is one of those big life milestones that carries weight for everyone involved, and the process isn’t always clear-cut. Employees often feel unsure about what they need to do or when to formally start the conversation. Employers, too, can find themselves uncertain about the right steps, the legal obligations, and the best way to balance professionalism with empathy. This lack of clarity can lead to hesitation on both sides, making a naturally significant transition

Robinson Grace HR
Sep 17, 2025


Why You Should Consider Offering Work Experience to Young People
Creating work experience opportunities for young people is a win-win situation for both your organisation and the individual. It’s a...

Robinson Grace HR
Aug 1, 2025


“I’ve Been Diagnosed with ADHD” — What Should Employers Do Next?
It’s becoming increasingly common for employees to receive an ADHD diagnosis well into adulthood, sometimes after years of wondering why...

Robinson Grace HR
Aug 1, 2025


Swindon-based HR Firm Wins 2025 Wiltshire Business Consultancy of the Year Award
Robinson Grace HR Consultancy has been awarded Wiltshire Business Consultancy of the Year 2025! Since 2011, Robinson Grace HR...

Robinson Grace HR
Jul 25, 2025


8 Recruitment Trends for 2025
With changes in technology, employment law and what is important to employees, it’s no surprise that organisations are having to rethink...

Robinson Grace HR
Jul 10, 2025


What UK Small Businesses Need to Know to Stay Legally Compliant as They Grow
Running a small business in the UK comes with a lot of moving parts, and staying on top of employment legislation is one of the more...

Robinson Grace HR
Jun 27, 2025


Volunteers’ Week: Giving Back Through the Army Cadet Force
Volunteers’ Week was launched in 1984 to celebrate and recognise the contributions of volunteers and to highlight the diversity and unity...

Robinson Grace HR
May 27, 2025


AI in the Workplace: A Real Opportunity for Small Businesses
At Robinson Grace HR Consultancy, we work with businesses of all shapes and sizes, but we know that for small businesses in particular,...

Robinson Grace HR
Apr 23, 2025


2025 Employment Law Changes: Are You Up To Date?
The last 12 months has seen many discussions around a wide range of changes to employment legislation including Sexual Harassment , the...

Robinson Grace HR
Apr 10, 2025


Stress Management Benefits for Health
Everyone experiences stress in their lifetime, but how they manage it is vital to their quality of life. Left unaddressed, and...

Robinson Grace HR
Apr 10, 2025


How to Manage Mental Health Related Absences in the Workplace
Any unplanned absence can be challenging for small businesses and having a clear process to manage absence and enable employees to return to work once they are well enough to do so, is vital. Mental-health-related absences can be challenging for organisations, with conditions like anxiety, depression, stress, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, eating disorders, self-harm, and bi-polar contributing to lost working days for one in six employees. Therefore, prioritising mental

Robinson Grace HR
Mar 19, 2025


An Employer’s Responsibility to Consult on Change
As an employer, you should consult employees and their representatives when a change or issue is identified, and before any final decision is made. This may include a change to role or job content, a policy amendment that affects terms and conditions, or a restructure that may lead to redundancy. In the UK, the consultation period is a legally mandated process designed to ensure that employees are informed about significant changes in their workplace or their terms and cond

Robinson Grace HR
Mar 18, 2025
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