Our Blog
We provide insight tips and updates to employers looking to learn more about various topics relating to HR
September HR Health Check – Is Your Business Ready for the Final Quarter?
As the summer holidays come to an end and September begins, many businesses find themselves entering one of the busiest periods of the year. Employees return from annual leave, recruitment activity increases, business priorities shift towards achieving year-end…
How to Manage Underperformance Without Avoiding It
How to Manage Underperformance Without Avoiding It Every manager will encounter underperformance at some point. Whether it’s missed deadlines, declining quality of work, reduced productivity or a lack of engagement, performance concerns can have a significant…
Managing Annual Leave Without Disrupting Your Business
Managing Annual Leave Without Disrupting Your Business Summer can be one of the busiest times of year for annual leave requests. Employees want time off to spend with family, take holidays, and recharge, while businesses still need to maintain service levels, meet…
Why Avoiding HR Issues Costs More Than Dealing With Them
Why Avoiding HR Issues Costs More Than Dealing With Them Nobody enjoys difficult conversations. Whether it’s addressing poor performance, tackling inappropriate behaviour, managing absence concerns, or dealing with conflict within a team, most managers would…
Disciplinary Procedures for SMEs: A Practical Step-by-Step Guide
Disciplinary Procedures for SMEs: A Practical Step-by-Step Guide Handling disciplinary issues is one of the most challenging parts of managing people. It’s not something most managers do often—and when it does arise, there’s usually uncertainty around what to do, what…
What Does “People-First” Actually Look Like in an SME?
What Does “People-First” Actually Look Like in an SME? “People-first” is a phrase used widely in business. It appears on websites, in job adverts, and across company values. But in reality, it’s often unclear what it actually means, particularly in small and…
How to Manage Long-Term Sickness Absence (Without Getting It Wrong)
H ow to manage long-term sickness absence (without getting it wrong) Long-term sickness absence is one of the most challenging situations employers face. It’s rarely straightforward. You’re balancing: Supporting an employee who may be unwell Managing the impact on…
How to Manage Long-Term Sickness Absence (Without Getting It Wrong)
How to Manage Long-Term Sickness Absence (Without Getting It Wrong) Long-term sickness absence is one of the most challenging situations employers face. It’s rarely straightforward. You’re balancing: Supporting an employee who may be unwell Managing the impact on the…
5 Difficult Conversations Managers Avoid and How to Handle Them
5 Difficult Conversations Managers Avoid and How to Handle Them Most managers don’t struggle because they lack knowledge. They struggle because some conversations are simply uncomfortable. Whether it’s addressing poor performance, managing absence, or dealing with…
HR Health Check: 7 Signs Your Business Might Be At Risk
HR Health Check: 7 Signs Your Business Might Be At Risk Most HR issues don’t start with a major problem. They build quietly over time through small gaps, informal decisions, or processes that haven’t quite kept pace with the business. For many SMEs, everything feels…
The Hidden Risk of “We’ve Always Done It This Way” in HR
The Hidden Risk of “We’ve Always Done It This Way” in HR In many small and medium-sized businesses, HR practices don’t start with a formal plan. They evolve. A process works once, so it’s repeated. A decision feels fair, so it becomes the norm. Over time, ways of…
Starting again: My journey as an older learner balancing a CIPD Level 5 apprenticeship
Starting Again: My Journey as an Older Learner Balancing a CIPD Level 5 Apprenticeship In January, I did something that felt both exciting and, if I’m honest, a little daunting – I started my CIPD Level 5 apprenticeship. Going back into structured learning later…