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Ask yourself: If a sexual harassment complaint landed on your desk tomorrow, could you evidence the steps your business had already taken to prevent it? If the answer is uncertain, now is the time to act. From 30 October 2026, the legal duty on employers to prevent sexual harassment at work is getting stronger. The Employment Rights Act 2025 raises the standard from taking reasonable steps to taking all reasonable steps. A new obligation is also being introduced: employers

In today’s fast-moving and highly competitive business environment, organisations increasingly recognise that their greatest asset is their people. While technical expertise is important, HR skills are becoming essential across all levels of a business. Investing in staff training focused on HR competencies improves performance, strengthens workplace culture, enhances compliance, and supports long-term organisational success. Building Stronger Workplace Relationships HR ski

The countdown has started. While many employers are focused on the day-to-day challenges of recruitment, retention and performance management, a significant change to unfair dismissal law is approaching that is likely to fundamentally change how probation periods are managed. Under the Employment Rights Act 2025, the qualifying period for ordinary unfair dismissal claims will reduce from two years to just six months from 1 January 2027. In addition, the current cap on com

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

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

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

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

It’s becoming increasingly common for employees to receive an ADHD diagnosis well into adulthood, sometimes after years of wondering why...

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

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

A Christmas party should leave you with happy memories, not HR investigations. By setting expectations in advance, keeping policies front of mind and making sure everyone feels included and looked after, you can protect your people and your business while still letting them enjoy a well-earned celebration. With a bit of thought before the first glass is poured, you can head into the New Year with stronger relationships, a positive reputation, and no festive fallout to untangl

Employee absence is an inevitable part of running a business. However, when absence levels rise significantly, they can create...

In the fast-paced world of business, organisations large and small need to adapt to stay competitive. Whether it’s through restructuring...

When a new employee joins an organisation, their first few days can set the tone for their entire experience. A well-structured and engaging new staff induction process is essential to ensure that new employees feel welcomed, informed, and ready to contribute to the team, whereas leaving new employees to their own devices early on in their journey with masses of information to read can have the opposite effect. Whether you're a small business or a large corporation, creatin

The Employment Rights (Amendment, Revocation and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2023 comes into effect on 1 July 2024. The Transfer...

The transition to remote work, accelerated by global events, has prompted a re-evaluation of traditional work structures and priorities....

Research from the CIPD revealed that 3 out of 5 working women between the ages of 45 and 55 who are experiencing menopause symptoms say...

In today’s fast-paced workplace, feedback is more than a courtesy, it’s a cornerstone of professional growth and organisational success....

According to a recent YouGov poll, just 17% of UK workers love their job, with more than 50% of workers saying that they are unhappy at...

The current business climate has forced many organisations to make difficult decisions regarding redundancies and restructures . It can be a challenging time for those involved, so it’s essential to approach the process with sensitivity and compassion. Understanding the Impact of Redundancies and Restructures Restructuring, redeployment, and potential redundancies will inevitably cause a great deal of stress, anxiety, and uncertainty among employees, which can negatively af