Blog Archives - Page 3 of 16

HR News: Flexible Furloughing to Anti-racism
July 6^th, 2020 in Blog
There are big challenges for small businesses in the months ahead, as they confront the obstacles of the coronavirus pandemic alongside the uncomfortable realities of systemic racism and the need to implement anti-racism measures. Important Coronavirus Information for Employers Flexible Furloughing (1st July 2020) Furloughed staff are now permitted to return to work for some of the time, if paid at their normal rate. No new employees or…
» Read more
Doughnut Shaped Businesses
June 29^th, 2020 in Blog
Can and should businesses remain the same in the aftermath of Covid-19 lockdown and the recent highlighting of systemic prejudices prevalent in our society and organisations? The challenges of recent months have created great uncertainty and fear over the likely depths of recession as well as how best to respond and tackle uncomfortable truths about racism. Against this rather ominous backdrop, thankfully, there is a growing number of economists…
» Read more
Mental Health Awareness Week
May 15^th, 2020 in Blog
Awareness weeks may seem less relevant at the moment, while we battle with the challenges of Covid-19. However, Mental Health Awareness Week, running from 18th – 24th May 2020, may just be the exception! Everyone is facing increased pressures and stresses, along with different degrees of uncertainty and threat. The psychological and social impacts are not only huge now, but will be with us for a long time to come. There has never been a…
» Read more
Coronavirus Information and Employment Update
April 6^th, 2020 in Blog
I hope the following information will be helpful, for both immediate and longer-term reference. Take care Important Coronavirus Information for Employers The gov.uk guidance pages remain the best source of up-to-date information for employers: General Employer Advice (6th April 2020) Job Retention Scheme (furloughing) (4th April 2020) Kay’s comment: Please note that the link on furloughing was updated on 4th April 2020 and includes important…
» Read more
10 Don’ts of Homeworking
April 6^th, 2020 in Blog
The unprecedented changes being experienced in our communities and workplaces as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic will have profound and far reaching impacts on many aspects of our lives. The global response has been to isolate, reduce interpersonal contact and adopt homeworking methods wherever possible. Businesses are not running as usual, but there are many organisations that are rising to the challenge of remote working – some are scaling…
» Read more
Resilience at Work
January 16^th, 2020 in Blog
There’s more to resilience than meets the eye – it’s not simply another word for ‘coping’ and it is a little more complicated than the famous World War II slogan “Keep Calm and Carry On”. Resilience was first studied back in the 1950’s and 60’s and was centred around children that appeared to grow-up relatively unscathed despite coming from severely disadvantaged backgrounds. Early resilience research suggested personality…
» Read more
Latest HR News January 2020: Parental Bereavement Leave to Veganism
January 8^th, 2020 in Blog
Latest HR News – January 2020 Changes to National Living Wage, National Minimum Wages and Statutory Rates (April 2020) The national living wage for workers aged 25 and over will be £8.72 p/hr, the NMW for 21-24 year olds will be £8.20; for 18 to 20 year olds £6.45; for 16-17 year olds to £4.55 and the apprenticeship rate £4.15. In comparison, the Living Wage Foundation have set the real living wage at £9.30. Statutory maternity,…
» Read more
Occupational Burnout
November 29^th, 2019 in Blog
In today’s hectic world there is immense social pressure to always be ‘busy’. The value placed on achievement and productivity forces us to constantly be achieving things. In contrast, resting, taking time off, day-dreaming or relaxing are often seen as lazy pursuits, not to be openly discussed or encouraged. Perhaps, then, it is not surprising that BURNOUT is on the rise. It is a growing problem for the modern workplace, having an impact…
» Read more
HR News: Brexit, Holiday Pay and Mental Health
October 29^th, 2019 in Blog
Brexit and UK Employment Law Brexit uncertainties are now set to continue beyond October, but government ministers have denied that UK employment rights will be eroded or diluted after Brexit, despite recent rumours suggesting the UK is planning to reduce its regulatory standards. In the meantime, employers are being encouraged to support their EU employees and check they have up-to-date information regarding settled status. It is still expected…
» Read more
Corporate Courage
October 25^th, 2019 in Blog
It’s not easy out there for those managing small businesses. Never before have businesses had to navigate such a complex and rapidly changing world. Indeed, the current Brexit debacle is now being described as a challenging ‘VUCA’ scenario. VUCA being the US military acronym coined during the cold war, which stands for: Volatility; Uncertainty; Complexity and Ambiguity! How can small businesses steer their people through such unchartered…
» Read more