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Don't get caught out: Is my freelancer actually an employee?
Freelancers look like the perfect solution for small businesses.
But this seemingly simple arrangement can hide unexpected risks that could impact your business.
Sarah Cooper
Nov 292 min read


How to conduct lawful right to work checks
If you're hiring someone new, you must check that they have the legal right to work in the UK before they start. That applies to every role and every nationality. Skip it and you risk fines of up to £60,000, plus serious damage to your business and reputation. Get the complete step by step guide to lawful Right to Work checks Get in touch if you need some support with getting this process right internally.
Sarah Cooper
Nov 171 min read


HR Newsletter - November 2025
Stay informed with the Fluid HR & Coaching newsletter. Get expert HR advice, UK employment law updates and practical people management tips from trusted HR consultant Sarah Cooper. Designed for small and growing businesses, it helps you stay compliant, solve HR challenges and build a positive workplace culture with confidence and clarity.
Sarah Cooper
Nov 45 min read


Hidden legal risks when scaling
Growing your business feels amazing. More customers, more revenue, more people wanting to join your team. You're finally getting somewhere.
But growth brings some unexpected legal challenges along with it that weren't even on your radar when you started.
Those casual ways of doing things that worked perfectly with 3 people can cause real problems once you hit 10 or 15 employees.
Sarah Cooper
Oct 302 min read


The one step that invalidated this employer's right to work check
You can do everything you think is right and still get hit with a massive fine. That's exactly what happened to a fish and chip shop owner in Surrey.
They thought they'd covered all the bases. The person they hired had a National Insurance number, benefit paperwork and was already on PAYE with another employer. Everything looked legitimate.
But the Home Office disagreed and the business was fined £40,000.
Sarah Cooper
Oct 282 min read


Menopause in the Workplace - A Business Owners Guide
Menopause is a normal life change and a natural part of our ageing process.
Yet, for some individuals it can be a hugely challenging time; one that significantly impacts their health, wellbeing and professional life.
Many women feel blindsided by their menopausal symptoms at work; it can disrupt their work and overall performance, and shatter their confidence.
Failing to adequately support your employees with their menopausal symptoms by refusing to make reasonable
Sarah Cooper
Oct 171 min read


The UK employment law mistakes you may be making without knowing.
The truth is that staying legally compliant is often about managing the small details...
Outdated contracts, missing paperwork, unpaid training hours.
Easy to overlook, but costly if you get them wrong.
We see the same 7 areas catching business owners out time and time again.
Sarah Cooper
Oct 151 min read


Managing Underperformance
Underperformance costs your business more than you think.
It's not just about one person missing targets. It's the knock-on effect across your team, the projects that slip, the clients who notice, and the time you spend fixing problems instead of growing your business.
The key is acting early and looking at the whole picture.
This guide shows you how to spot underperformance before it escalates, understand what's really causing it and build systems that prevent it from hap
Sarah Cooper
Sep 161 min read


September 2025 - HR Newsletter
How to handle underperformance in your business Your best team member has started letting you down. They used to be reliable, but now...
Sarah Cooper
Sep 54 min read
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