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t's frustrating when an employee stops following instructions. You're trying to keep things moving and suddenly someone isn't doing what you've asked. Before you take any action, you need to understand why the behaviour is happening. Refusal is one thing. A misunderstanding, lack of training or someone genuinely struggling is something completely different. Getting clear on the reason is what protects the business and gives you the right next step.

A formal grievance is not something that you can afford to ignore or handle casually. You are busy running the business and may not be sure how serious a grievance really is. But once an employee puts something in writing, how you handle it matters as much as the issue they are raising. If you do not follow Acas guidance and your own procedure, you increase the chance of a tribunal claim and the cost that comes with it. A structured response protects you and keeps the situ

You probably haven't heard of the Fair Work Agency yet. That's because it's been slipped in as part of the Employment Rights Act that came into force in April. There is not much information available, but from what we do know, it is going to have a significant impact on your compliance requirements in the future. What we are looking at is not another advisory body. It is an enforcement agency that will expect you to evidence how you comply with employment law

This month’s newsletter is about what’s changing, what’s quietly shifting under the surface, and where it’s worth paying attention before small issues become harder work later on. From the first wave of Employment Rights Act changes now in force, to everyday habits that carry more weight than we realise, there’s plenty here to dip into. If anything prompts a question or a “we should probably look at that”, you’re very welcome to get in touch for a chat.

According to the Office for National Statistics, an estimated 2.3 million adults (aged 16 and over) experienced domestic abuse in 2024. Domestic abuse is sadly common and your employees could be victims. If someone on your team discloses domestic abuse, you might not know how to react and what you should / shouldn't do. And that's why we've created this short guide to offer you some support. Domestic abuse is sensitive and emotionally complex, but you do not need to naviga

Inclusion, put simply, is the term HR consultants use to describe how people feel and are respected in the workplace. If someone feels pushed out, talked over or treated differently to others, it shows up quickly, especially in small businesses.When people feel valued and part of things, they contribute more. They learn faster. They take more ownership. The overall standard lifts and becomes more reliable.Inclusion is not a nice to have. It’s a practical way to improve ou

When an employee gets injured at work, your first responsibility is their health, wellbeing and safety. But it's not always obvious what else you're meant to do. In this blog post, we talk you through the steps you should take to stay compliant and protect your business from any negligence claims.Workplace injuries are stressful and every situation is different. If you want to make sure you’re handling an incident correctly, or you’d like help with tightening up your

Holiday pay is one of those areas that sounds simple in theory but quickly becomes fiddly in practice, especially once you move beyond straightforward, full-time hours. For many business owners, the real challenge isn’t knowing what the rules are. It’s applying them consistently, fairly and confidently across different working patterns, without it becoming a time drain or a source of mistakes. Why holiday pay causes so much confusion Holiday pay isn’t just about paying someon

Poor performance is one of the hardest issues to deal with as a business owner. You rely on your team to keep things running and when someone Before you think about ending someone’s employment, it is important to understand the problem properly. Ask yourself: Is it a skills issue, a workload issue or a motivation issue? Have they had proper training and a fair chance to learn the role? Are your expectations clear and realistic? Honest reflection can often uncover what is ge

Spring has sprung As the days begin to stretch a little longer and the first signs of spring start to appear, March often brings a natural sense of renewal. It’s a time when many businesses begin to look ahead with fresh perspective. Reviewing what’s working well, identifying where things could run more smoothly, and thinking about how to support their teams for the months ahead. Just as spring encourages growth in the natural world, it can also be a great moment to nurture

If you are trying to grow but recruitment feels expensive, slow or frustrating, an apprentice can be one of the safest ways to build capacity in your business. Here is where apprenticeships genuinely help: 1️⃣ You want to grow but cannot justify another full salary Apprentices join at a lower cost and funding support is often available, which makes expansion feel far less risky. 2️⃣ You are struggling to find people with the right skills The talent you want is not a

Your questions answered When's the right time to suspend an employee? In our latest guide, we tell you everything you need to know about suspensions and how to safely suspend an employee to protect your business. Read it here 👇

When things get tricky: suspension, absence, and the people issues you can’t ignore Good HR is not about having all the answers. It’s about taking the next right step. Running a business means making people decisions that are not always straightforward. When something goes wrong at work, it can be tempting to act quickly just to regain control. But the best outcomes usually come from a steadier approach, one that is fair, consistent, and properly thought through. This month w

Many of us are feeling the squeeze right now and it's no surprise that more people are bringing money worries to work with them. Research shows that one in five younger workers say that financial stress affects their performance. But it’s not just younger employees feeling the pressure. As an employer, you’re probably feeling it too. So how can you help your team without stretching the budget even further?

Employee contracts aren’t something most business owners think about until there’s a problem. But outdated contracts can cause real headaches when things go wrong. Maybe a role has changed over time, a clause no longer fits how the business operates or the law has moved on. When contracts fall behind, it leaves everyone uncertain about what applies and what doesn’t.

We had a case recently where a client was concerned that their employee had gone AWOL. Despite multiple attempts to contact the employee, they didn't hear back and were getting worried. Here's what we told them to do...

When someone leaves your business, it is easy to think the risk ends there. But if their exit is not handled properly, you could still face a claim after they have gone. Former employees can take legal action for unfair dismissal, breach of contract or even discrimination if they believe they were treated unfairly during or after their exit. A case in 2024 showed just how costly that can be. The Leeds United case In 2024, former technical director, Nigel Gibbs, won ov

When something serious happens at work, it can be hard to know what to do next. You want to protect your team and your business, but you also want to be fair. Suspending someone might feel like the simplest option, but it should only be used when there’s no other way to keep things safe and impartial. Think about alternatives first Before jumping to suspension, look for practical ways to keep things running: Could they work different hours or in another area? Could

Here's your employment law and HR checklist for 2026 👇 There's a lot happening in the world of employment law and HR this year which is why we've created our 2026 HR checklist to give you some guidance on what you'll need to focus on.

Most managers get promoted because they're good at their job, not because they've been trained to lead. That's rarely a problem at first. But as teams grow, the cracks can begin to show. Great managers can be built. With the right training, they can lead confidently, support their teams effectively and save you time and stress in the process. In this article we explore the five types of training that make the biggest difference when it comes to building leaders