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Don’t let the winter blues dampen work productivity

Employee health and wellbeing is of paramount importance throughout the year. However, employers should pay particular attention to the gloomy winter months when the days are colder and shorter, we have less energy, and our vitamin D levels dip. The general feeling of the workforce can sometimes appear melancholy after over-indulging during the festive break, and with some also feeling the pinch of Christmas, it’s understandably a challenging time and easy for the January blues kick in. This can leave

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11th January 2024
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5 Employment Law changes to prepare for in 2024

It is often difficult for employers and HR professionals to keep abreast with ever-evolving Employment Law. So with 2024 on the horizon, we have summarised 5 key Employment Law changes that organisations should be preparing for. Changes to Flexible Working As it currently stands, any employee who has worked in an organisation for 26 weeks or longer is entitled to make one formal flexible working request during any 12-month period.  The main headline in this regard is the introduction of

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11th December 2023
Funny accountant bookkeeper working in the office

Changes to legislation regarding Holiday Leave and Pay – what do they mean for employers?

In the UK the right to paid annual leave is governed by the Working Time Regulations 1998 (WTR), which were themselves derived from the EU Working Time Directive. Since these regulations were drafted, the labour market has significantly evolved, particularly in terms of the growth of atypical and flexible working and the emergence of the gig economy, working arrangements which the WTR’s do not easily accommodate. In addition, there has been a large body of case law emanating from the

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21st November 2023
Employee Wellbeing strategy

Employers without a Wellbeing strategy now in the minority!

According to new research from Mintago, the number of employees voicing wellbeing concerns is on the rise. However, a significant number of UK organisations are failing to provide sufficient wellbeing support. As part of the research, 503 senior managers within UK-based organisations, both in the public and private sector, were surveyed. The results revealed that in the past 12 months, an overwhelming majority (87%) had been approached by an employee to discuss wellbeing concerns. Mental health (48%), job satisfaction (43%)

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9th November 2023
Retailer to pay £25k for failing to make reasonable adjustments

Retailer to pay £25k for failing to make reasonable adjustments

High Street Retailer ordered to pay £25k to a disabled worker after failing to make reasonable adjustments. An Employment Tribunal has ruled that motoring retailer, Halfords Autocentres Ltd, discriminated against an employee with cerebral palsy on the basis of his disability. The employee began working at Halfords Autocentre in Milton Keynes in October 2019. He disclosed his condition during the interview and explained that he struggled with some tasks, such as changing tyres. His condition affected his left side, producing

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2nd November 2023
ING 19060 81769

New fire safety legislation – what you need to know!

We have seen a substantial overhaul of UK fire safety over the last two years with a myriad of changes designed to tighten up and improve fire safety legislation. The latest update came into force on 1 October 2023, and implemented phase 3 of the Home Office’s fire safety reform programme. This requires enhanced collaboration and coordination between responsible persons (RPs) and, imposes stricter requirements on recording and sharing of fire safety information. It also simplifies the process for enforcement

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30th October 2023
disciplinary process

5 critical steps to a fair disciplinary process

Managing disciplinary issues in the workplace is something few managers relish. However, employers could be exposed to potentially valid unfair dismissal claims if the fundamental basics are not followed. Most organisations will have their own policies and procedures which must be adhered to when managing disciplinary issues. However, those procedures must also comply with the relevant ACAS Code of Practice. Handling a disciplinary issue can be a daunting prospect. In this article we look at 5 steps which are critical

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23rd October 2023
Resolving Workplace Conflict

Mediation: An effective and efficient way of resolving workplace conflict

Conflict in the workplace is unavoidable. Everyone has experienced it to some degree. Some conflict can be positive and constructive, if handled appropriately, but without the right process and structure in place it often ends up being damaging and destructive to an organisation. Mediation can be used at any stage in the conflict situation to try and get the working relationship back on track. When disputes occur, it will almost always result in a stressful and unpleasant working environment for

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9th October 2023
ai in hr

How AI is reshaping the HR landscape

Artificial Intelligence (AI) could revolutionise the way HR professionals work. This article explores the key potential benefits which could be harnessed, but also the significant challenges involved. Recruitment & Retention No more filtering through mountains of CV’s, AI can do this for you. It can also conduct video interviews to assess candidate suitability and ensure a cultural fit, providing time and cost saving benefits during the recruitment process. AI could also help predict employee turnover by analysing job satisfaction and

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2nd October 2023
Managing Safely

Why ‘Managing Safely’ is important

It is a legal requirement for employers to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of their employees. It is also good business practice. Failure to manage health and safety in the workplace can have serious consequences for both employers and employees including accidents and incidents causing serious injury and even death, leading to sanctions such as heavy fines, imprisonment, and reputational damage to the business. There are 3 fundamental reasons why it is essential for employers to implement appropriate measures

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13th September 2023
employees cannot afford to be sick

Research indicates that many employees cannot afford to be sick

New data suggests that UK workers are being pushed to the brink of burnout, anxiety and depression due to financial worries as they fear they can’t afford to take time off when they are ill. Statutory sick pay (SSP) is currently £109.40 a week (around a third of the minimum wage). It is paid from the fourth consecutive day of illness for up to 28 weeks to eligible employees whose average weekly earnings are more than £123 a week, meaning

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12th September 2023
Sexual harassment concept with man and woman in office

New duty on employers to proactively prevent sexual harassment in the workplace

Earlier this year, the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Bill passed through the House of Commons. This private member’s bill initially proposed amendments to the Equality Act 2010 to make employers liable for third-party harassment and to introduce a duty requiring employers to take ‘all reasonable steps’ to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. However, following a debate in the House of Lords in July, the new employer liability for third-party harassment has been dropped from the draft

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4th September 2023
Overjoyed happy ginger woman in spectacles drinking coffee and holding laptop while walking outdoors

Is The Great Resignation now ‘over’?

Last year an unprecedented number of people quit their jobs, feeling the need to move organisations to progress their career, or achieve other personal goals following an extended period of working from home during the pandemic. As the job market improved at the fastest pace seen for many years, there were more opportunities for those wanting to move for better pay, benefits and job fulfilment. However, according to economists and labour market analysts, the phenomenon is now over, with the

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21st August 2023
work accident

Latest fatality figures published by HSE

According to recent data published by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), 135 workers were killed in work-related incidents in Great Britain in the last year. The data covers the period from April 2022 to March 2023 and highlights an increase on last year’s figures, with the construction sector reporting most deaths. Other industries reporting high numbers of worker deaths include agriculture, forestry and fishing, manufacturing, and transportation and storage. Agriculture and forestry and fishing had the highest rate of

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17th August 2023
Cartoon businessman gymnastic working at office with graph and diagram vector flat illustration. Business male having flexible work time schedule at workplace isolated. Balance and planning concept

How is the right to request Flexible Working changing?

The Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act 2023 now awaits Royal Assent after passing its third reading in the House of Lords. The Flexible Working bill introduces some significant changes to current UK employment law. In this article, we will outline what this means for employers and how they can prepare for flexible working requests within their organisation in readiness for when the bill becomes law. As it currently stands Any employee who has worked in an organisation for 26 weeks

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24th July 2023