2017 - Page 2 of 2 - Kay Heald HR

Is Shropshire looking after its Young Workers?
May 18^th, 2017 in Blog
Are organisations in Shropshire either turning a blind eye or simply unaware of their responsibilities, particularly with regard to casual hour contracts and young workers? New ways of working, different categories of worker and the ongoing negative press and confusion about zero hour contracts has created a complicated array of employment options. Although the government has promised to offer some clarity when its commissioned study of modern…
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Sleep Smarter and Save your Business a Fortune
May 3^rd, 2017 in Blog
According to recent research from the University of Warwick, a good night’s sleep is as beneficial to health and happiness as winning the lottery. The research suggests that if you sleep smarter by increasing the quality and quantity of sleep, our health and wellbeing can be significantly improved at very low cost. It’s well documented that people reporting sleep issues are at greater risk from developing depression, obesity, diabetes and…
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Small Business Employment Law Update April 2017
April 3^rd, 2017 in Blog
Statutory Rate Increases, National Living Wage, Apprenticeship Levy and Gender Pay Reporting Welcome to my latest Small Business Employment Law Update for an easy-to-read overview of the main employment law changes affecting the smaller business. In future issues I will keep you posted on HR implications of the EU exit negotiations (including possible changes to the working time directive, TUPE and immigration). NATIONAL LIVING WAGE AND NATIONAL…
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How to Make Learning Stick
March 20^th, 2017 in Blog
We’ve all had experiences of attending training sessions and events, only to find those action plans and good intentions made on the day are quickly sidelined, shelved or forgotten within hours of returning to work. Organisation development professor, Art Kohn has described this as the ‘forgetting curve’ and suggests that on average 50% of new information is forgotten within one hour, 70% is lost in 24 hours and a staggering 90% within a…
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Why is there still a Gender Pay Gap ?
March 1^st, 2017 in Blog
The Office of National Statistics shows a gender pay gap for full-time employees of 9.4% in 2016 and 18.1% when part time employees are included. According to the annual Women in Work Index compiled by PwC, the West Midlands has the furthest to go in eliminating pay inequality and it will take at least another 24 years to eliminate the gender pay gap within the UK. Why is there still a Gender Pay Gap in the UK? Many of the pay differences we…
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Can Small Businesses Embrace Hygge?
February 7^th, 2017 in Blog
February might traditionally be associated with red roses and hearts, but maybe this year workplaces can give their employees the gift of Hygge (a Danish concept, pronounced hoo-gah) to help create more harmony and wellbeing! So what is ‘Hygge’? Hygge caught the imagination of the UK papers and magazines last year, appearing in articles from The Guardian to Elle. If you look on Amazon, you will see a dizzying array of ‘hygge’ inspired…
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Statutory Rates, Salary Sacrifice, Apprenticeship Levy and Modern Slavery
January 9^th, 2017 in Blog
Welcome to my first employment news update of 2017. Over the coming months, please be reassured that I’ll be interpreting and translating employment law changes and finding out what is most relevant to you and your business! National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage Increases (April 2017) The National Living Wage will increase to £7.50 per hour. The National Minimum Wage for 21-24 year olds will increase to £7.05 per hour; for 18 to 20…
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SMEs and the Modern Slavery Act
January 5^th, 2017 in Blog
What is the Modern Slavery Act? The Modern Slavery Act requires organisations supplying goods or services in the UK with a turnover of £36m or more to publish an annual Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement. The turnover threshold includes the turnover of any subsidiaries. Statements must set out the steps organisations have taken to ensure that slavery and human trafficking is not taking place in their business or in any of their supply…
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