by Kate Underwood | Dec 6, 2024 | General
5 Creative Employee Benefits to Attract and Retain Top Talent in 2024 Attracting and retaining the right people has become one of the biggest challenges for small businesses. With larger companies offering attractive salaries and perks, it’s easy to feel like you’re...
by Kate Underwood | Dec 5, 2024 | General
How Can You Improve Your Employees Mental Health? Let’s be honest—employees mental health in the workplace can be a tough topic to tackle. It’s not as visible as a broken arm or a cold, and it doesn’t always come with a clear-cut solution. But here’s the thing:...
by Kate Underwood | Dec 4, 2024 | Employee Exit
Why Exit Interviews Matter: Useful Information Or Too Little, Too Late? Let’s face it—Exit Interviews can be a divisive topic. Some HR professionals swear by them, while others see them as a waste of time. A quick online search pulls up a mix of opinions: some...
by Kate Underwood | Dec 3, 2024 | Workplace Wellbeing
Employee Burnout: The Hidden Threat to Small Businesses and How to Address It Employee burnout is a growing challenge for businesses of all sizes, but for small businesses, the impact can be especially severe. With fewer people to share the workload, every role...
by Kate Underwood | Dec 2, 2024 | News
KUHR Charity of the Year 2025: Meet the Shortlisted Charities At KUHR, we believe in making a difference where it matters most. As part of our annual commitment to giving back, we are proud to unveil the shortlist for our Charity of the Year 2025. Each year, we...
by Kate Underwood | Dec 1, 2024 | Workplace Wellbeing
Workplace Kindness Advent Calendar: 8 Ways to Transform Your Workplace This December The festive season is often a whirlwind of activity. Deadlines loom, shopping lists grow, and calendars fill up with social events. Amid this hustle, it’s easy to lose sight of the...
by Kate Underwood | Nov 28, 2024 | News
Get Britain Working: What It Means for Small Businesses The Get Britain Working white paper is all about tackling unemployment and boosting jobs in the UK. It’s an ambitious plan that includes upskilling workers, offering hiring incentives, and closing the skills gap...
by Kate Underwood | Nov 26, 2024 | Payroll, Benefits and Wellbeing
Avoid Payroll Errors: Simple Steps for Small Businesses Payroll errors can be expensive and time-consuming for small businesses. Whether it’s a missed tax payment or an overpayment to an employee, even minor mistakes can create major consequences. Small business...
by Kate Underwood | Nov 21, 2024 | Policies
Why the Right to Disconnect Matters in Today’s Workplace In an always-connected world, the line between work and personal life is becoming increasingly blurred. The right to disconnect—employees’ ability to step away from work communications outside of their...
by Kate Underwood | Nov 13, 2024 | HR Tech
SME HR Solutions As you know, the geek inside Kate is very excited about the latest developments at Breathe HR! If you’re already using it, you’ll know how much it transforms SME HR solutions. These new updates take it even further, making admin lighter, processes...
by Kate Underwood | Nov 12, 2024 | Compliance, Employee Relations
Employment Rights Bill : A Guide for Small Businesses UPDATED 29th November 2024 The Employment Rights Bill is set to bring significant changes to UK workplaces, especially for small businesses. While it’s not law yet, and debates about its feasibility are ongoing,...
by Kate Underwood | Nov 5, 2024 | Compliance
2025 National Living Wage Increase The UK’s 2025 National Living Wage (NLW) will increase to £12.21 per hour, as announced in the October 2024 Autumn budget. This change affects not only minimum-wage employees but also those earning just above this threshold. For...
by Kate Underwood | Nov 1, 2024 | Employee Relations
Navigating Christmas annual leave as a small business can be challenging, but it’s essential to address it now. As the festive season approaches, many businesses are planning their annual leave policies for the Christmas period. Due to where the bank holidays...
by Kate Underwood | Oct 30, 2024 | News
Autumn Budget 2024: Key Takeaways for Small Business Owners The Autumn Budget 2024 has arrived, and if you’re running a small business, there’s a lot to digest. With adjustments to taxes, wages, and support measures, these updates will affect daily operations,...
by Kate Underwood | Oct 25, 2024 | Policies
New UK Workplace Sexual Harassment Legislation Explained New workplace sexual harassment legislation will come into effect on October 26th, 2024. This legislation will entail a new set of rules that will reshape how employers across the UK are expected to handle...
by Kate Underwood | Oct 10, 2024 | General
World Mental Health Day, celebrated annually on the 10th of October, is a global initiative to raise awareness of mental health issues and inspire positive action. At Kate Underwood HR and Training, we understand that employee mental health is vital for creating a...
by Kate Underwood | Sep 27, 2024 | News
As a charity, ensuring that your employees feel supported is essential to achieving your mission. That’s why Kate Underwood HR & Training is proud to announce our Charity of the Year 2025 initiative, offering eligible charities the chance to receive bespoke...
by Kate Underwood | Nov 1, 2023 | Recruitment and Selection
So, you’re thinking about expanding your team, huh? Well, before you rush to hire a full-time employee, let’s talk about why that might not always be the best move. We’re diving into the world of employment options, so buckle up and get ready to...
by Kate Underwood | Oct 31, 2023 | Employee Relations
In the dynamic world of business, companies often find themselves managing a wide spectrum of work environments. From the busy hum of the office to the bustling activity of the warehouse, managing these different working cultures is no small task. But how do you...
by Kate Underwood | Oct 26, 2023 | Workplace Wellbeing
Introduction: A New Era in the Modern Workplace Today’s workplaces are bustling with diversity, and it’s not just about gender, ethnicity, or age. We’re talking about the diversity of minds, especially those with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity...
by Kate Underwood | Oct 20, 2023 | Workplace Wellbeing
Alright folks, as Halloween decorations make their way into homes and shops, we’ve got another, slightly less fun, seasonal visitor to prepare for: the combined threat of Covid and flu. So, while you’re considering whether you want to dress up as a...
by Kate Underwood | Oct 10, 2023 | Workplace Wellbeing
In the digital age, the way we work is continually evolving. More employees are working remotely, especially those in professions like driving or those who operate during night shifts. While there are numerous advantages to such roles, they come with their own set of...
by Kate Underwood | Oct 5, 2023 | Employee Relations
Workplaces buzz with diversity. From the giggles of new parents sharing their toddler’s antics to those embarking on world adventures, each narrative contributes to the tapestry of a business. Amidst this, it’s essential to ask: do non-parents feel they’re...
by Kate Underwood | Sep 28, 2023 | Policies
For small businesses in the UK, having solid employment policies isn’t just about compliance; it’s a strategic necessity. Well-crafted policies lay the groundwork for smooth business operations and foster a positive work environment. This article explores...
by Kate Underwood | Sep 26, 2023 | Onboarding, Recruitment and Selection
The first 100 days of a new employee’s journey can be critical for both the employee and the employer. During this time, UK small businesses have the unique opportunity to engage, motivate, and retain new hires. The “100-Day Challenge” refers to the...
by Kate Underwood | Sep 21, 2023 | Recruitment and Selection
Salary transparency in job listings has been a contentious issue in the UK’s employment landscape. The government’s push for openly disclosing salaries in job advertisements aims to promote equality and transparency, but it also has sparked debates and...
by Kate Underwood | Sep 19, 2023 | Recruitment and Selection
The shift from in-person to online interviews is redefining the recruitment landscape. The convenience and adaptability of virtual interviews come with their unique set of etiquette and expectations. This article explores how the interview process is evolving and...
by Kate Underwood | Sep 14, 2023 | Payroll, Benefits and Wellbeing
Cancer is a life-altering diagnosis that impacts not only individuals but also those around them, including colleagues and employers. In the UK, small businesses face unique challenges when an employee is affected by this disease. This article highlights five key...
by Kate Underwood | Sep 12, 2023 | Employee Relations
The dawn of hybrid working has changed the landscape of modern business, but with this shift comes a myriad of new cybersecurity challenges. Small business owners in the UK must navigate complex legal obligations and ensure their team’s details are secure. This...
by Kate Underwood | Sep 7, 2023 | Recruitment and Selection
Psychometric testing: a term that seems to echo through the corridors of large corporations, but what about small businesses? Is this tool only for the big players in the business world, or can small businesses also reap its benefits? Let’s dive in and explore....
by Kate Underwood | Sep 1, 2023 | Flexible Working, Workplace Wellbeing
The shift from classroom to home office has marked a significant change in the working lives of many young people in the UK. As businesses adapt to hybrid working, those aged 20 or under are facing unique challenges. This article delves into these challenges and...
by Kate Underwood | Aug 31, 2023 | Payroll, Benefits and Wellbeing
What employee perks do you offer? The modern workplace is evolving, and so are the expectations of employees. In the competitive landscape of 2023, small businesses in the UK are seeking creative ways to attract and retain top talent. But what exactly do employees...
by Kate Underwood | Aug 29, 2023 | Recruitment and Selection
In the ever-competitive world of small businesses in the UK, finding unique ways to stand out and grow is a constant pursuit. Mentoring, a personalised, guidance-based relationship between experienced professionals and less experienced employees, has emerged as an...
by Kate Underwood | Aug 24, 2023 | Learning and Development, Recruitment and Selection
In an era where skills and knowledge are paramount, investing in employee training is a strategic move for UK businesses. But how do you balance the company’s investment with fair and effective training agreements? This article will explore the ROI of learning...
by Kate Underwood | Aug 22, 2023 | Flexible Working, Recruitment and Selection
The work-life balance is an ongoing challenge, particularly for working parents. Small business owners in the UK have a unique opportunity to make a positive impact in this area. By nurturing a supportive environment for working parents, businesses can not only...
by Kate Underwood | Aug 17, 2023 | Flexible Working, Recruitment and Selection
The advent of remote work has revolutionised the way small businesses operate, especially in the aftermath of global events like the COVID-19 pandemic. While this shift has many advantages, it also presents unique challenges, particularly when it comes to...
by Kate Underwood | Aug 15, 2023 | Recruitment and Selection
In the bustling small business landscape of the United Kingdom, the health and well-being of employees are often the backbone of success. Alcohol misuse can be a hidden but corrosive factor that undermines the strength of a business. Small businesses, in particular,...
by Kate Underwood | Aug 10, 2023 | Recruitment and Selection
In the diverse and competitive UK business landscape, small businesses are often on the lookout for opportunities to innovate, grow, and stand out. One avenue that holds significant promise is the development of a structured work experience plan. Offering work...
by Kate Underwood | Aug 8, 2023 | Recruitment and Selection
Imagine if your workplace was like a classroom, where learning never stopped, and the pursuit of excellence was a daily routine. That’s what apprenticeships offer. With new funding rules for the 2023/2024 apprenticeships in England, both employers and...
by Kate Underwood | Jul 18, 2023 | Employee Relations
Workplace conflict happens all the time, regardless of the company’s size or industry. While it’s normal for people to have disagreements and different opinions, the true cost of unresolved conflicts often goes unnoticed. Besides affecting employee morale...
by Kate Underwood | Jul 13, 2023 | Onboarding
Break free from misconceptions. Discover how neurological disorders such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, and dyspraxia can be leveraged as assets in the workplace. We live in an era that embraces diversity in all its forms, including neurodiversity. This term is...
by Kate Underwood | Jul 11, 2023 | work experience
In today’s dynamic work environment, small businesses play a significant role in shaping careers and offering unique work experiences. Yet, the perspective on what it’s like to work in a small business varies widely. In this blog post, we are unravelling...
by Kate Underwood | Jul 6, 2023 | HR Tech
AI in Small Businesses: Good or Bad? Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a game-changer for businesses, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). As SMEs adapt to compete in a fast-paced digital world, many face the question: “Is AI in small...
by Kate Underwood | Jul 4, 2023 | Recruitment and Selection
With over 25 years of experience in HR, I’ve seen firsthand the benefits and challenges of promoting from within a small business. Let’s dive into what this process looks like, and how to effectively manage it. Understanding the Concept of Promotion...
by Kate Underwood | Jun 28, 2023 | maternity leave
Maternity leave is an important period for working mothers to recover and bond with their newborns. However, in some cases, employees may be unable to return to work due to medical reasons after their maternity leave ends. This can pose challenges for small...
by Kate Underwood | Jun 27, 2023 | Recruitment and Selection
In today’s dynamic job market, the question of rehiring former employees is gaining attention. Companies often face the decision of whether to bring back individuals who have previously worked for their business. This article explores the benefits, challenges,...
by Kate Underwood | Jun 22, 2023 | Employee Exit
The UK business landscape is currently grappling with a harsh reality, as recent research reveals that one in four businesses are gearing up for a wave of redundancies this year. This alarming statistic underscores the challenges faced by organisations and the...
by Kate Underwood | Jun 20, 2023 | Policies, Recruitment and Selection
Pride is a vibrant celebration of diversity, inclusivity, and equality for the LGBTQ+ community. While large corporations often take centre stage during Pride events, it is important to recognise the efforts of small businesses in the UK that actively champion...
by Kate Underwood | Jun 15, 2023 | Recruitment and Selection
June holds a special significance for many families around the world as it is recognised as SANDS (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death) Month. This month serves as an opportunity to raise awareness and support for those who have experienced the heartbreaking loss of a baby...
by Kate Underwood | Jun 13, 2023 | Recruitment and Selection
In today’s society, the issue of ex-offenders and their reintegration into society is a topic of great importance. Many individuals who have served their time and paid their dues find it challenging to reintegrate into the workforce due to the stigma associated...
by Kate Underwood | Jun 6, 2023 | Recruitment and Selection
As we meander into June, aside from the much-anticipated bursts of summer sunshine and the hopeful rustling of vacation plans, it’s also time to focus our attention on a rather profound topic that often gets overlooked. Yes, you guessed it – it’s...
by Kate Underwood | Jun 1, 2023 | HR Business Partner, Recruitment and Selection
As we celebrate our 8th birthday, we want to highlight the reasons why choosing KUHR as your HR business partner can be a game-changer for your small business. With our expertise in HR management and our commitment to leveraging technology, we are dedicated to...
by Kate Underwood | May 25, 2023 | Recruitment and Selection
In today’s interconnected world, where people spend a significant portion of their waking hours at work, it’s no surprise that romantic relationships can bloom within the confines of the workplace. While workplace romances can bring joy and companionship,...
by Kate Underwood | May 23, 2023 | Employee Relations
Today, we’re diving into a topic that often gets overlooked but can have a significant impact on your business—the probationary period. Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Do I really need a formal process for probationary periods in my small...
by Kate Underwood | May 18, 2023 | Financial Wellbeing
The global cost of living crisis continues to be a hot topic, with prices of everyday essentials spiralling around the world. So, if you’re looking to give your wallet a breather, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve rounded up the top 10...
by Kate Underwood | May 17, 2023 | Employee Relations, Workplace Wellbeing
Today, we’re celebrating International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOTB) in the UK workplace. It’s a day dedicated to promoting equality, embracing diversity, and standing together against discrimination. So grab a cuppa and...
by Kate Underwood | May 16, 2023 | Workplace Wellbeing
Mental health issues in the UK workplace have become an increasingly pressing concern in recent years. As an experienced HR consultant, I’ve seen first-hand how these issues can have a major impact on the productivity, engagement, and overall wellbeing of...
by Kate Underwood | May 11, 2023 | Workplace Wellbeing
Menopause is a natural part of getting older that all women experience at some point. But it can cause a lot of uncomfortable symptoms that make it hard for women to work. This is especially tough for women who work in small businesses because they might not have as...
by Kate Underwood | May 4, 2023 | Workplace Wellbeing
It’s Maternal Mental Health Week in the UK, and as someone who has been in the HR game for over 25 years, I think it’s important to give a shout-out to all the working moms out there juggling their careers and family life. It’s a tough job, but...
by Kate Underwood | May 2, 2023 | Policies
Compliance training is a critical component of any workplace training program. It is essential to ensure that employees are aware of the laws and regulations that apply to their job and industry and that they understand their responsibilities and obligations under...
by Kate Underwood | Apr 13, 2023 | Employee Relations, Policies
As a small business owner, you want to create a workplace that is inclusive and supportive of all employees. This includes those with disabilities, who may face additional challenges in the workplace. Fortunately, there is a UK government scheme that can help – Access...
by Kate Underwood | Apr 11, 2023 | Payroll, Benefits and Wellbeing, Workplace Wellbeing
Let’s talk about workplace stress. It’s a big issue that affects millions of employees, and ignoring it can have some serious consequences for your business. But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered with some top tips on how to tackle workplace...
by Kate Underwood | Mar 23, 2023 | Financial Wellbeing, Payroll, Benefits and Wellbeing
So, have you ever heard of the 4-day working week? It’s a concept that’s been gaining popularity in recent years, with some companies giving it a try to see if it can boost productivity and make employees happier. Basically, instead of working five shorter...
by Kate Underwood | Feb 9, 2023 | Compliance
Get your HR sorted – make 2023 your year It’s February and January has gone past in a blur. I bet you have big, exciting goals for your business?! How is that going so far? One thing I notice when speaking to my clients, is many of them skip one vital...
by Kate Underwood | Feb 7, 2023 | Employee Relations, Workplace Wellbeing
What can employers do about Sexual Harassment in the rise of the Hybrid Working World? With the rise of hybrid working environments, many small business owners are wondering how to handle inappropriate behaviour in the workplace. The key is to create a clear policy...
by Kate Underwood | Feb 2, 2023 | Employee Exit
What is Quiet Quitting? Quiet quitting is a relatively new employee relations challenge facing businesses. It is not, as the name may suggest, employees quietly handing in their resignation from a job and leaving, but when employees work to rule, carrying out the...
by Kate Underwood | Jan 19, 2023 | Policies
What does RIDDOR stand for? RIDDOR stands for The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations and applies to every workplace in the UK. It requires you to keep records of any work-related accidents and diseases as well as covering dangerous...
by Kate Underwood | Nov 21, 2022 | Workplace Wellbeing
Workplace Wellbeing – what is your strategy As the cost of living increases up and down the country, most households will be facing a decline in their standard of living as wages fail to keep up with increased costs. The past two years have been anything but...
by Kate Underwood | Nov 10, 2022 | Absence, Employee Relations
Annual Leave Entitlement – What do you do with carryover? Do you have your accrued annual leave booked off for the upcoming holiday season? Yes, it’s that time of year again, Halloween and Bonfire Night have been and gone, which means the countdown...
by Kate Underwood | Nov 1, 2022 | News
4 Good Reasons to Support Charities as a Small Business and Launching our Charity of the Year 2023. Many business owners and entrepreneurs are torn between their desire to make a difference and getting their financial needs met. When I first started my...
by Kate Underwood | Oct 31, 2022 | Compliance, Employee Relations
Why bother with an HR Health Check? Did you get all of your employee’s personnel details when they joined you? Perhaps some forms got left in the closet? Then an audit is here for you! Audits may be scary but is a great way to wiggle out what information might be...
by Kate Underwood | Oct 27, 2022 | Payroll, Benefits and Wellbeing
Workplace Christmas Party A party during the festive period can be a great way for your team to let off steam and give them a big thank you for all their hard work throughout the year. However, during the festive period, there can be a lot of challenges that arise...
by Kate Underwood | Oct 20, 2022 | Adoption, Payroll, Benefits and Wellbeing
Adopting good practices for Adoption For many companies requests for Maternity Leave and Paternity Leave are regular occurrences allowing Managers to be confident in navigating the process and supporting their team members. However, when it comes to Adoption, many...
by Kate Underwood | Oct 13, 2022 | Payroll, Benefits and Wellbeing
Work and Baby Loss – Do’s and Don’ts Between the 9 and 15 October is Baby Loss Awareness Week, a time for those affected to remember their lost loved ones and to raise awareness of baby loss. Pregnancy loss and the death of a baby are one of the...
by Kate Underwood | Oct 5, 2022 | Financial Wellbeing, Payroll, Benefits and Wellbeing
Financial Crisis – what can employers do? The cost-of-living crisis is the term that has been coined for rising costs in the UK, on products and services used in every UK household and business ranging from energy prices to the cost of weekly shopping. This has...
by Kate Underwood | Sep 28, 2022 | Recruitment and Selection
At Kate Underwood HR, we love using technology to assist us with our processes and make our lives and clients’ lives easier. We use Hireful’s Applicant Tracking System to ensure that we can keep on top of all the different recruitment campaigns we...
by Kate Underwood | Sep 22, 2022 | HR Tech, Onboarding, Recruitment and Selection
With it still being a turbulent time in recruitment, it can be overwhelming for SMEs to hire new people – why not let Breathe’s recruitment took simplify your hiring process? It doesn’t have to be challenging with the most up-to-date and relevant...
by Kate Underwood | Sep 15, 2022 | Learning and Development
Free Training Calendar How are you addressing your Statutory Training Obligations? Posing this question to clients can often lead to a lot of blank expressions. Especially for Small businesses; finding the time and resources to train staff can be difficult. That is...
by Kate Underwood | Sep 1, 2022 | Flexible Working, Policies, Workplace Wellbeing
Could Pawternity soon be introduced into your organisation? It’s a well-known fact that Britain is a nation of pet lovers! Add to that the lockdowns we’ve experienced over the past few years, and you have a pet-owning boom in the UK. Families in the UK...
by Kate Underwood | Aug 25, 2022 | Payroll, Benefits and Wellbeing
In today’s fast-paced business environment, companies rely on their employees to drive success and maintain a competitive edge. However, one aspect of employee management that is often overlooked is the timely reimbursement of expenses. As an employer, are you...
by Kate Underwood | Aug 18, 2022 | HR Tech, Onboarding
As a small business with employees, you’ll have HR records that are legally required to be stored, but do you know which ones and for how long? All organisations, whether big or small, collect data relating to their employees, such as information on pay, sickness,...
by Kate Underwood | Aug 9, 2022 | Payroll, Benefits and Wellbeing, Workplace Wellbeing
Another UK Heatwave …. With temperatures set to soar again this week, a new report highlights the dangers of extreme high temperatures, which it says are a threat to health and wellbeing and reduce economic productivity. Health and Safety –...
by Kate Underwood | Aug 4, 2022 | Employee Relations
What is it? When someone at work dies or experiences serious harm under the suspicion of Abuse or Neglect, the process of Safeguarding Adult Reviews (SARs) is implemented. SARs is a process that decides if serious harm inflicted on a vulnerable adult or multiple...
by Kate Underwood | Aug 1, 2022 | General
What are the most common and easy-to-address risks in making someone redundant? Dismissals on grounds of redundancy must be true to form, it cannot be to hide a performance or conduct issue that you don’t want to address. This can cost you, long-term employees, as...
by Kate Underwood | Jul 28, 2022 | General
The cost of living is having an impact on many families and understandably requests for pay rises are on the increase. As an employer, there are other ways and means that you can support your employees especially when a salary increase isn’t necessarily...
by Kate Underwood | Jul 8, 2022 | General
Over half of the UK workforce would like more flexibility when it comes to work (though we here at KUHR estimate that figure to be much higher, ADP reports that 6 in 10 employees feel this way). Flexibility can come in many different forms and one of them most common...
by Kate Underwood | Jun 30, 2022 | General
The Laws around fit notes have changed several times now. The first change was that doctors can now sign fit notes digitally, which is why leniency towards the change in a signature’s appearance should be upheld. As of right now (1st of July), the law has allowed...
by Kate Underwood | Jun 30, 2022 | Workplace Wellbeing
Could the pandemic effect be the reason more and more Gen Z workers are feeling the effects of burnout? A 2021 survey from jobs website Indeed showed millennials and Gen Z workers were reporting the highest rates of burnout, at 59% and 58% respectively. Reporting...
by Kate Underwood | Jun 22, 2022 | General
Ever since flexibility became the new norm in a post-pandemic era, work-life balance has been in the control of the employee. As a result, demand for jobs that offer remote work has dramatically increased. According to data found by LinkedIn UK, paid job...
by Kate Underwood | Jun 13, 2022 | General
Did you know that the health risks loneliness has equates to the same risks as smoking 15 cigarettes per day? Aside from the impact loneliness has on your mental and physical health, studies suggest that severe loneliness costs businesses £9900 per person, every year...
by Kate Underwood | May 26, 2022 | General
As an employer, by law, you have a duty to protect workers from stress by performing risk assessments and making necessary and reasonable adjustments based on your findings. What counts as stress? The HSE definition of stress is it’s an “adverse reaction people have...
by Kate Underwood | May 5, 2022 | General
Specific legislation protects new mothers, pregnant women and those who have had to endure miscarriage (for up to 2 weeks post-miscarriage). This legislation was called to attention during an Employment Tribunal. This specific case had to assess potential sex...
by Kate Underwood | Mar 17, 2022 | General
Inflation is the next biggest challenge for employers looking to recruit. Following The Great Resignation and the newfound power that candidates have over employers, many are now looking to remuneration as both incentive and demand which for many sectors is a setback...
by Kate Underwood | Mar 4, 2022 | General
People assume that working from home is the cheaper alternative to paying petrol and fares for the commute to work. However, some of us must pay for our own equipment, incur an increase in costs from an increase in electricity usage and in some cases -not to get into...
by Kate Underwood | Mar 2, 2022 | General
Wellbeing in the workplace is now becoming a staple part of corporate HR. When companies prioritise their people, their health and growth, the ROI in recruiting, retaining, work output and overall business performance is clear to see and can’t be argued with....
by Kate Underwood | Feb 17, 2022 | General
At any given moment in time, 1 in 5 people are having suicidal thoughts. Mental health difficulties were a pandemic well before COVID made the issue a thousand times worse. At work, employees are taking days off – faking illnesses and making excuses – in...
by Kate Underwood | Feb 3, 2022 | General
Aside from the new wave of mental health awareness after the pandemic, there are still big wellbeing killers in the UK workplace today. From rising medical concerns such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer, to conditions of working all be it either in the...
by Kate Underwood | Jan 27, 2022 | General
As a small business, are you confident that the staff training you offer is sufficient for your company and the roles of your employees? There are many reasons why staff training should be a priority within your business and as an example, we wanted to bring your...
by Kate Underwood | Jan 20, 2022 | General
There are plenty of reasons why both employers and employees are considering the 4-day working week. National Insurance contributions are set to rise in April and the 4-day working week could reduce UK employees’ commute costs anywhere between £160-£796 a year. Not...
by Kate Underwood | Jan 11, 2022 | General
The 2010 Equality act prevents employers from asking health-related questions in order to avoid discrimination, exclusion, and inequality. Employers have been historically known to ask about health or disability in the early stages of recruitment. As a result,...
by Kate Underwood | Dec 8, 2021 | General
Have you reviewed your benefits package recently? Did you know that there is a new Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme that you could now be offering your employees? This specialist scheme is like the modern-day cycle to work scheme, available to help support...
by Kate Underwood | Oct 21, 2021 | General
Are you aware of the importance of your company’s brand in the marketplace? Do you understand the benefits of maintaining that brand to reflect your company values and product/service? We wanted to delve in a little deeper into employer branding and look at how...
by Kate Underwood | Oct 12, 2021 | General
Tech Tuesday We’ve got another #TechTuesday for you, and this week we want to talk about a great tool called Toggl. Have you heard of it? Do you know what it does? If you are yet to give it a go, it is about time you tried it! Toggl is an extremely handy...
by Kate Underwood | Sep 28, 2021 | General
Tech Tuesday We’ve got another #TechTuesday for you, and this time we’d like to highlight our ‘go to’ HR system – Breathe! We believe that having the right software to support your HR processes, really can transform your business. ...
by Kate Underwood | Sep 16, 2021 | General
Breathe HR Software keeps on getting smarter and smarter! It’s been just over 2 months since Breathe launched their brand-new Rota, Time and Attendance module, and they now have even more useful new features. Let us introduce you to the Breathe – People Portal mobile...
by Kate Underwood | Sep 10, 2021 | General
There have been some recent employment tribunal cases with regards to employers, not allowing employees time off to go and deal with things such as going to pick up their child from nursery who was sick and not allowing an employee to amend their working hours. So, we...
by Kate Underwood | Aug 5, 2021 | General
Do you ask your new hires for references? A couple of years ago I wrote a blog on DO NOT Make This Costly Mistake When Checking References but one thing I didn’t touch on was what you should do if you get a bad reference. Can you just dismiss someone? Should...
by Kate Underwood | Jun 30, 2021 | General
The current rules Following Brexit, there were no changes to the exiting right to work checks and the current guidance remained in place. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens resident in the UK before 11pm on 31 December 2020 are eligible to apply under the EU Settlement Scheme...
by Kate Underwood | May 20, 2021 | General
In August 2020, Gary from DA Training was able to share the good news about employer incentives, which has really seen an increase in apprenticeship starts (especially across smaller businesses) over the last few months. He now has some updates for us on how DA...
by Kate Underwood | May 16, 2021 | General
Introducing Hannah Hi! I´m Hannah, and I’m over the moon to be the newest member of the KUHR team… until our young Kickstarters join us in June! I´ve been part of the team for a while, working part-time from Mallorca, Spain. But I’m delighted to announce...
by Kate Underwood | May 13, 2021 | General
5 ways Employee Engagement will enable your small business to grow. To build the most effective team and to ensure long-standing employees it is important that your team members feel empowered rather than micromanaged. It is a fine balance between giving freedom to...
by Kate Underwood | Apr 27, 2021 | General
So this morning I was on BBC Radio Solent talking about if the workplace is going to change because of the pandemic and what SME’s need to think about before going back to the workplace – if they go back to the workplace. 1. What happens if there is an...
by Kate Underwood | Apr 8, 2021 | General
If you could show all the employees on your team how much you appreciated them, what would be the first thing you’d do? Remote working is now well and truly embedded in to our working day and many believe that working remotely could be here to stay either as a whole...
by Kate Underwood | Apr 1, 2021 | General
Overview We have another blog from our wonderful guest blogger Sarah Quirk of SarahQuirk Wealth Services. This week, Sarah shares her expert knowledge on how accountants and financial advisers can both help you manage your finances. Both roles are important, both...
by Kate Underwood | Mar 25, 2021 | General
Do Small Businesses need to publish a Modern Slavery statement? The Government has confirmed that it is going ahead with major changes to the duty on large employers to publish an annual modern slavery statement. So what is a large employer? A large employer is...
by Kate Underwood | Mar 18, 2021 | General
How does IR35 apply to Small Businesses? As you may remember IR35 was delayed for the private sector from being implemented due to COVID-19. However, the legislation is going into force from 1st April. Below are the 7 key steps that small business owners need to...
by Kate Underwood | Feb 18, 2021 | General
How to Improve Your Personal Wealth in 2021! Over the next few weeks, will be sharing blogs from our wonderful guest blogger Sarah Quirk of SarahQuirk Wealth Services. This week, Sarah shares her expert knowledge on how you can improve your personal wealth in 2021 as...
by Kate Underwood | Feb 11, 2021 | General
Here are 9 Financial Tips for Small Business Owners Over the next few weeks, will be sharing blogs from our wonderful guest blogger Sarah Quirk of SarahQuirk Wealth Services. This week, Sarah shares all her expert knowledge with 9 Financial Tips for Small...
by Kate Underwood | Feb 4, 2021 | General
What are the New UK Immigration Rules? Welcome to our quick blog post about new UK Immigration rules. Now, due to the United Kingdom leaving the European Union, new UK immigrations rules now apply. Free Movement for European nationals ended on 31st December 2020. This...
by Kate Underwood | Dec 1, 2020 | General
Why Successful SME’s Outsource Learning and Development Guest Blog by Richard Gourlay – IMPROVE Today I am sharing a guest blog by Richard from IMPROVE, the complete Microlearning platform for SMEs. I recently became a partner of IMPROVE as a way to...
by Kate Underwood | Nov 5, 2020 | General
Hello and Welcome to Our HR Risk Quiz! Do you run a small business but think you might need a little HR support? Well, you’re in luck! Here at Kate Underwood HR & Training, we’ve created an HR Risk Quiz to help you to decide what kind of support you...
by Kate Underwood | Oct 22, 2020 | General
Following Proper Redundancy Process is Vital So, let’s start by looking at a few examples of how companies have made mistakes in the redundancy process: East London NHS Foundation Trust v O’Connor; Mr O’Connor was unfairly dismissed after accepting an...
by Kate Underwood | Sep 15, 2020 | General
What is Employee Voice 24/7? The Happiness Index have created an employee survey designed to give employees a voice during times of change. The pre-built survey is completely anonymous and allows employees to leave feedback 24/7. Whether your team work shifts and are...
by Kate Underwood | Jul 23, 2020 | General
An HR System that makes Rota Planning a Breeze! We know that organising and communicating quickly and efficiently with your team can be challenging, especially when they are spread across various locations (especially at the moment with so many people still working...
by Kate Underwood | Jul 23, 2020 | General
What is Survivor Bias? During WWII, the United States Army wanted to protect their airplanes and needed to know where to put additional armour. They looked at their bombers, that were returning from the war riddled with bullet holes, and plotted points on a chart to...
by Kate Underwood | Jun 4, 2020 | General
The Expert’s Tips on How To Prepare for an Online Interview As you can imagine, during lockdown we have seen a lot of things changing in recruitment, so you need to know how to prepare for an online interview – or even just an important meeting. The way things...
by Kate Underwood | Jun 4, 2020 | General
How to have Conversations about Mental Health in the Workplace Having conversations about mental health can feel difficult. Ali Grady, Director of The Thrive Team and Mental Health First Aid Instructor shares her tips on how to have a conversation with someone who may...
by Kate Underwood | Apr 2, 2020 | General
Guide to Working From Home As a small business owner, you may be used to working from home already, and so may your team, but these are very different circumstances that we find ourselves into the normal working from home routine. Over the past few weeks as the threat...
by Kate Underwood | Feb 20, 2020 | General
What Is (And Isn’t) Acceptable Office Etiquette? The workplace has changed almost beyond recognition over recent years. Technology, open plan working spaces and flexible work patterns are just a few factors that have had a radical impact on how our staff work...
by Kate Underwood | Jan 30, 2020 | General
What Does Veganism At Work Mean For Your Business? The month of January is becoming more commonly recognised as ‘Veganuary’ which sees people trial a vegan diet or lifestyle as part of their New Year’s resolutions. While such a spontaneous change in...
by Kate Underwood | Jan 23, 2020 | General
Presenteeism Is Already Negatively Affecting Your Business Happy New Year! We all made it through Christmas and New Year unscathed but now midwinter; the season of presenteeism is upon us. Today, we’ll be learning what the term means and making a New Year’s resolution...
by Kate Underwood | Dec 17, 2019 | General
The Rise of Napping at Work Did you know that 85% of mammal species are polyphasic sleepers? Humans are part of the minority that have just one period of sleep and one period of wakefulness during the day. Interestingly, it’s also disputable whether this is our...
by Kate Underwood | Dec 13, 2019 | General
Emotional Intelligence: What Is It And Why Does It Matter? Do you know someone who always seems to know just the right thing to say, at the right time, even in the most challenging situation? Have you ever worked for a manager who can deliver highly critical feedback...
by Kate Underwood | Nov 28, 2019 | General
What happens when annual leave and staff sickness absences collide? It’s an all too familiar situation, you have an employee about to start a period of annual leave and they fall ill. They come to you with the question: “Can I reclaim my holiday entitlement because...
by Kate Underwood | Oct 31, 2019 | General
Is It OK To Monitor Employees’ Social Media? Whether it is legal to monitor employees’ social media is a question employers often ask me, and it always brings two thoughts to my mind. Do you have good policies in place to define the use and monitoring...
by Kate Underwood | Oct 20, 2019 | General
How To Offer Employee Benefits On A Budget Running a business of any size is hard work. If you’re running a reasonably small business, it can be even harder because very often everything is down to you – the owner. You need a team behind you to lighten the load and...
by Kate Underwood | Sep 17, 2019 | General
Who Can Accompany An Employee To A Disciplinary Meeting? Who can accompany an employee to a disciplinary meeting is a question I get asked a lot! During a recent case in New Zealand, the employer advised their worker to bring a companion with him to his disciplinary...
by Kate Underwood | Aug 1, 2019 | General
Silence Can Be Golden… If You Have The Right Policies In Place Towards the end of 2017, Sainsbury’s found themselves on the wrong side of a tribunal after dismissing an employee for wearing headphones to listen to music while working. The employee worked in a...
by Kate Underwood | Jul 29, 2019 | General
Check Out These 10 Free TED Talks On Leadership As bosses, we understand just how often employees, colleagues, and partners turn to you when they have questions, concerns, or need advice. Remember; advice usually has consequences, so it’s important to give a...
by Kate Underwood | Jul 19, 2019 | General
Working Out Holiday Pay Is Easy… Right? Everyone knows that getting your employee’s Holiday Pay correct is very important. Yet it seems employees frequently feel like their bosses are getting it wrong. The lack of clarity on the subject is highlighted by the...
by Kate Underwood | Jun 27, 2019 | General
A Quick Guide To Occupational Health First things first. Occupational Health Physicians are doctors – let’s get that out of the way for starters! I admit, the fact that I have to say that may just be me showing my naivety. However, I remember when I was first...
by Kate Underwood | Jun 25, 2019 | General
What Are The Pros & Cons Of Occupational Sick Pay Schemes? All businesses experience staff absence due to ill-health from time to time. For some, it can be an occasional inconvenience. For others, it can become a headache that compromises the businesses’ ability...
by Kate Underwood | Jun 14, 2019 | General
Mental Health Awareness Training In this day and age, employers have a duty of care to look after their employees Mental Health as well as their physical safety. With new statistics being thrust into the spotlight every day, it is more important than ever to think...
by Kate Underwood | Jun 7, 2019 | HR Tech
6 Best Apps for Small Business Owners to Save Time & Reduce Stress Running a small business is a juggling act. Between managing employees, handling finances, and meeting deadlines, it’s easy to feel stretched thin. That’s why finding the right tools to help...
by Kate Underwood | May 30, 2019 | General
6 HR Tech For Small Businesses: For Your Human Resource Needs Here are my top six ‘go-to’ pieces of HR tech for small businesses which will help with all your Human Resource needs. Of course, number one has to be an HR System… Breathe This is the HR...
by Kate Underwood | May 23, 2019 | General
I’d Like To Share 2019’s Best Workplace Technology Trends With You The development of workplace technology continues apace in 2019 and as we approach the close of the second decade of the twenty-first century, it shows no sign of slowing down! In this...
by Kate Underwood | May 9, 2019 | General
Remote Working Can Be Hugely Beneficial For Your Business The benefits to employees of remote working are often obvious. But what about the benefits to you as the business owner? Broadly speaking, there are four main areas of your business that will benefit when you...
by Kate Underwood | Mar 28, 2019 | General
Mindfulness Will Help You Become The Best Version Of Yourself! This is week as part of KUHR’s Wellbeing month, we thought we’d highlight something that is becoming more popular to incorporate in our everyday lives, not just at home, but at work too –...
by Kate Underwood | Mar 21, 2019 | General
Learn To Let Your Staff Switch Off And Reap The Rewards! The majority of people feel the pressure of our ‘always-on’ culture and don’t recognise the importance of learning to switch off. Perhaps you’re a business owner who is feeling stuck in an unavoidable...
by Kate Underwood | Mar 14, 2019 | General
How Physical Exercise Helps Small Business Owners Reap Huge Rewards As part of Kate Underwood HR’s Wellbeing Month, we couldn’t really let the importance of physical exercise for small business owners pass by unmentioned. We all know that looking after...
by Kate Underwood | Mar 6, 2019 | General
What Are Your Responsibilities Surrounding Food Allergies? Here at Kate Underwood HR, we’ve decided that March is Wellbeing month in the office. Naturally, one of the things we’ve been thinking about is allergies and allergens in the workplace. In particular (with...
by Kate Underwood | Feb 21, 2019 | General
How To Improve Your Job Descriptions Job descriptions often don’t get the love and attention they deserve. When it comes to hiring a new member, job descriptions are still largely ignored by smaller organisations. In my experience, many small and medium-sized...
by Kate Underwood | Feb 7, 2019 | General
How To Avoid Costly Recruitment Mistakes Once you’ve decided now’s the right time to recruit new people into your business, how can you make sure you make the right decision? Well, you need to think carefully about how to go about it. Eliminating Recruitment Mistakes...
by Kate Underwood | Jan 31, 2019 | General
Want Your Company To Succeed? Connect Your Business Plans And Appraisals! Business plans are a critical part of every business to ensure that every activity you undertake moves you closer to achieving your goals. But how well do you align your Business Plans And...
by Kate Underwood | Dec 13, 2018 | General
Get With E-Learning… Or Get Left Behind! E-Learning is fast becoming the most effective way to onboard, train and develop staff. There are e-learning platforms available for just about every sector and every role within those sectors. Even where practical skills...
by Kate Underwood | Nov 29, 2018 | General
A Quick Guide To Self-Employment & Training I thought I’d ask a self-employed friend to be this month’s guest blogger so they could share their story about their journey from redundancy into self-employment and their advice for people in the same boat. ...
by Kate Underwood | Nov 22, 2018 | General
The BreatheHR Payroll Export Tool Revolutionises Payroll Here at Kate Underwood HR & Training, I know what it feels like to be the boss of a growing small business. When it comes to the most important commodity of all – time, it often feels like sand...
by Kate Underwood | Nov 14, 2018 | General
Kate’s Guide To Celebrating Christmas And Religious Festivals Religious belief has been a protected characteristic in the workplace for a very long time. However, many businesses are still struggling to fully understand how to recognise this when it comes to...
by Kate Underwood | Nov 8, 2018 | General
What Are the Rules Surrounding Small Businesses Enforcing Training Agreements? Training Agreements can be hugely beneficial. As a small business, it is essential to keep employee turnover as low as possible as the cost to replace can be a lot more than you think....
by Kate Underwood | Oct 31, 2018 | General
Why You Should Already Be Using BreatheHR Software If you’re a regular to my blog posts, I realise I might sound a bit like a broken record on the topic of HR Systems, but I really do believe they are one of the most valuable tools for any small businesses with...
by Kate Underwood | Oct 25, 2018 | General
Do You Always Carry Out Return To Work Interviews? Cards on the table time. Do you ALWAYS carry out a Return to Work Interview when an employee comes back from a period of sickness? Or, like many business leaders, are you too busy? Maybe you see it as just another...
by Kate Underwood | Oct 18, 2018 | General
Here Are My Five Top Tips For Using BreatheHR I recommend that all of my clients use an HR system, and I especially recommend BreatheHR. For those using currently using this brilliant and easy-to-use UK-based HR system, I’d like to share these five sensational tips...
by Kate Underwood | Oct 11, 2018 | Recruitment and Selection
Not Checking References Could Cost You Dearly What are the three most important words in the English language? “I love you”? Maybe. “Let me help”? Perhaps. Well, arguably, three of the most important words in the world of Human Resources are...
by Kate Underwood | Oct 4, 2018 | General
The Many, Surprising Benefits of Hiring An Intern This summer, I was very fortunate to have a lovely intern called Sean to join the KUHR team. I would highly recommend taking on an intern if you are a small business and ever get the chance. Not only did I gain great...
by Kate Underwood | Sep 27, 2018 | General
BreatheHR System – The UK’s Number One HR Software I very much advocate the use of an HR system to all my clients, and number one for me is the BreatheHR System for helping small business owners to escape the admin of managing employees. BreatheHR System...
by Kate Underwood | Sep 20, 2018 | General
Is Your Business At Risk From Presenteeism? Mental Health in the workplace is big news right now – and rightly so. As a responsible employer, you care about the physical and mental wellbeing of your staff, right? For example, if you were asked ‘How are your company...
by Kate Underwood | Sep 13, 2018 | General
Your Back To School Policy Could Be Good For Your Business The Summer holidays are over, the leaves are turning beautiful golden brown colours, children have started back to school and the peak leave period is over. Surely then, it’s now safe to say that business, as...
by Kate Underwood | Sep 6, 2018 | General
Hurry! Time Is Running Out To Take Advantage Of The Childcare Voucher Scheme in April 2018, the Government Childcare Voucher Scheme extended its joining-date deadline for new members by another six months. The initiative, which allows parents to save up to £933 a year...
by Kate Underwood | Aug 30, 2018 | General
Managing Annual Leave In Your Business Running a business comes with many challenges, perhaps none more so than managing annual leave, especially balancing the demands of your business against the needs of your staff to take time off! Inevitably there will be peaks...
by Kate Underwood | Aug 23, 2018 | General
Need An HR System? Check Out BreatheHR! If you’re already a client of mine, you’ll know I love a sound HR system, and you’ll also know that I highly recommend BreatheHR. If you’re thinking about implementing up an HR System, or you’re not sure why you’d want one for...
by Kate Underwood | Aug 15, 2018 | General
Chillax! It’s National Relaxation Day I know, I know – there’s a ‘National Day’ for everything these days! Though National Donut Day may sound heaven-sent, thank goodness all these celebrations are not all Bank Holidays or nothing would get done! The History Of...
by Kate Underwood | Aug 10, 2018 | General
Dining Report: Food Safety & The FSA Survey Here at Kate Underwood HR, we now have quite a few clients on our books who are in the ‘food trade’. So, to go hand in hand her blog on food allergies, I thought I’d ask our friend Ruth from Simply Safer to be this...
by Kate Underwood | Aug 2, 2018 | General
What To Look For When Choosing A Cloud Based HR System I believe a cloud based HR system is a must for all of my clients, and all small businesses with employees. Not only do they save time, but in the new GDPR world we live in, you need to make sure your...
by Kate Underwood | Jul 26, 2018 | General
Breathe HR Just Got Even Better! Ask any of my clients and colleagues, family friends or nerdy neighbours how much I adore technology, and they will undoubtedly tell you that I have a reputation as THE geek of all HR geeks! The thing is, I fully admit being a...
by Kate Underwood | May 22, 2018 | General
How To Recognise & Deal With An Employee’s Poor Performance It can seem easier to ignore poor performance from an employee. Dealing with the situation can seem daunting to managers and sometimes it’s uncomfortable to deal with things you would rather avoid....
by Kate Underwood | May 8, 2018 | General
Important Working Time Regulations Update In March this year, I featured a guest blog ‘5 things employers should know about working time regulations and holiday’. However, a recent case in the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has prompted me to add some...
by Kate Underwood | Apr 23, 2018 | General
Employee Experience: 4 Brilliant Ways To Improve Engagement “Take care of your employees, and they will take care of your business. It’s as simple as that.” Richard Branson. We don’t hear many negative views of working for Virgin, so it’s safe to say they have...
by Kate Underwood | Mar 28, 2018 | General
What Are Your Options If An Employee Makes A Flexible Working Request? When it comes to flexible working, once known as “flexi-time”, the modern workplace has undergone momentous changes over recent years. Technological advances mean that more and more...
by Kate Underwood | Mar 13, 2018 | General
Recent surveys have shown that some business leaders in the UK are lacking key management skills essential for businesses to develop in the way they want to. Whilst leaders appear competent in technical skills, budgeting and financial management, they can sometimes...
by Kate Underwood | Feb 26, 2018 | Policies
How to Manage Weather Disruptions in Your Business As a small business owner, unexpected events can disrupt operations. Adverse weather, like snow or heavy storms, is one of the most challenging issues, often leaving staff unable to get to work. Snow in the UK is...
by Kate Underwood | Feb 6, 2018 | General
Eight Ways To Avoid Wasting Time & Money When Hiring Employees When it comes to hiring employees, according to a CIPD study, it costs about £2,000 to recruit a new member of staff. Bear in mind, that’s just the recruitment process, the overall cost is a lot...
by Kate Underwood | Jan 16, 2018 | General
5 Simple Ways Small Businesses Should Prepare For GDPR Over the last week, the main topic of HR conversation has been about how small businesses need to prepare for GDPR. Some discussions have been very proactive, but there are many that believe they do not need to...
by Kate Underwood | Oct 5, 2017 | General
Contractor Or Worker? Ask These Three Questions To Find Out! In the last couple of weeks, I have performed quite a few HR Health Checks where I have had to determine whether a team member is a contractor or worker. As part of the health check, I must ascertain if the...
by Kate Underwood | Sep 28, 2017 | General
How To Stay Productive At Work In Our Always-On World If any one person had a cure-all answer to how to stay productive at work, then they’d be a millionaire. The National Office for Statistics recently calculated that productivity in Britain has lately been...
by Kate Underwood | Sep 21, 2017 | General
How To Calculate Annual Leave For Part-Time Employees One of the most commonly asked questions, when I am doing my HR Health Check, is “How to calculate annual leave for part-time employees?” Although employers are giving their employees holidays there are...
by Kate Underwood | Aug 26, 2017 | General
Do You Have A Pets At Work Policy? We all know that Britain is known for its love of pets but what are the practicalities of having a Pets at Work Policy in your workplace? You might have seen a few pictures of my cat (and IT Manager), Jess helping me out. Days like...
by Kate Underwood | Jul 27, 2017 | General
Employment Tribunal Fees Deemed Unlawful: What Now For Small Businesses? Yesterday it was announced that Employment Tribunals Fees were unlawful and are to be abolished. What Does This Mean For The Government? In an unprecedented move, and a two year investigation,...
by Kate Underwood | Jul 5, 2017 | General
Making Tough Redundancy Decisions In today’s working life as an employee, people will have an average of 10 jobs in their lifetime. Therefore, working in HR is not always pink and fluffy. Unfortunately, sometimes, you have to be confident and ruthless enough to...
by Kate Underwood | Jun 21, 2017 | General
What Steps Should You Take To Keep Your Employees Cool? English weather is joked about all around the world and perhaps deservedly so. However, we do experience the occasional heatwave, and with climate change, just like sea-levels, their frequency is on the rise. So,...
by Kate Underwood | May 21, 2017 | General
Maternity Leave: Your Options As An Employer When small businesses on an employee, bosses accept there will be challenging times ahead. You must change your way whole way of thinking, prepare for short-term absences and cover holidays; but nothing will prepare for the...
by Kate Underwood | Apr 13, 2017 | General
These Benefits Of E-Learning Will Keep Your Small Business Compliant One of the common issues that I often come across with small businesses is trying to find a cost-effective way to ensure that their team is compliant in statutory training. To combat this, I have...
by Kate Underwood | Mar 14, 2017 | General
What Is A Virtual HR Director? And Why Do You Need One Today? As a small business owner, you’re probably under the impression that you don’t need an HR department or even a Virtual HR Director. If you head up a newly-formed Startup or only have a few...
by Kate Underwood | Mar 8, 2017 | General
How Do You The Best Out Of Your Probationary Period? I often get asked how long a probationary period should be. Recruiting the right candidate is usually a tricky task but employees do have tools to make sure you have made the right decision. If you have a constant...
by Kate Underwood | Feb 17, 2017 | General
Are You Paying Your Employees The National Living Wage? This week, the news has highlighted some well-known companies not paying their employees the legal minimum. Companies as large as Debenhams, Subway and Lloyds Pharmacy have not been paying their employees the...
by Kate Underwood | Jan 27, 2017 | General
How To Support An Employee Going Through Divorce Employees from time to time will have some personal issues that will affect them. As an employer, you need to decide how much support you want to give to them. Today, we’re going to be looking at an all too common...
by Kate Underwood | Dec 31, 2016 | General
How Do You Achieve Perfect Work-Life Balance? How to achieve the best work-life balance is, of course, one of the eternal questions and one that may remain elusive for decades to come. As 2016 draws to a close, I started to consider starting my own business and found...
by Kate Underwood | Dec 9, 2016 | General
How To Prepare For Your First-Ever Employee A few weeks ago, CharlieHR tweeted asking for guest bloggers and, since I’m trying to do more blogging, I thought I would give it a try. It was tough choosing a topic but finally found one that would be useful, so...
by Kate Underwood | Dec 7, 2016 | General
All Yule Need To Know About Surviving Christmas At The Office! Christmas at the office can be almost as bad as going home to visit the family. For some, it’s a time of spreading joy, love and peace to all men, for others it’s filled with useless gifts, bad...
by Kate Underwood | Dec 5, 2016 | General
A Refreshing Alternative To Going To Court by Sarah French Working within the Human Resources industry means no day or case is ever the same. In this way, HR can be a little bit like family law lawyers. As HR professionals, we often become the confidant to our...
by Kate Underwood | Nov 28, 2016 | General
4 Ways Small Businesses Can Manage Employee Holidays Over the last few years, new events such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday have become popular in the UK as employee holidays. From a business perspective, you need to make sure you can deal with holiday requests on...
by Kate Underwood | Nov 8, 2016 | General
The 2017 Legislation Update: Changes To The Childcare Voucher Scheme As you may or may not be aware, there are quite a lot of legislation changes coming in 2017. The one we’re going to be taking a look at today is the Childcare Voucher Scheme. I’ll begin...
by Kate Underwood | Nov 8, 2016 | General
Are Verbal Offers Of Employment Contractual Or Not?”Verbal offers are not worth the paper they’re not written on!”In today’s blog, we’re going to be asking whether verbal offers of employment are legal. Due to the internet, the amount of...
by Kate Underwood | Oct 25, 2016 | General
The Workplace Pension: 4 Important Things You Don’t Get Told Have you seen the workplace pension advert on TV? The one with the big fluffy purple monster talking about how employers have to follow new pension regulations and the new workplace pension scheme?...
by Kate Underwood | Oct 10, 2016 | General
How To Offer Benefits To Stay Competitive (Without Breaking The Bank) National Minimum Wage increased on the 1st of October, and in April 2017, the National Living wage will also rise again. So, how does a small business remain competitive and keep their talent...
by Kate Underwood | Sep 30, 2016 | General
Do You Have Fair Process & Procedures? When it comes to fair process and procedures, I’m quite often asked: “Is that really necessary?” My response is always something along the lines of “Well, if you were in that situation, how would you...
by Kate Underwood | Aug 4, 2016 | General
5 Steps To Check Your Job Applicant’s Right To Work In The UK Hiring a new team member is exciting, but it comes with legal responsibilities. One of the biggest? Ensuring every employee, without exception, has the right to work in the UK. Skipping this step—or...
by Kate Underwood | May 2, 2016 | General
Harness HR Technologies Now… Or Get Left Behind Just because you’re a small business does not mean you can’t harness the same HR Technologies as the large corporates. Just to let you into a secret, you don’t have to have deal with Excel...
by Kate Underwood | Feb 28, 2016 | General
What Is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)? Corporate responsibility is sometimes known as corporate social responsibility, or CSR for short. It is defined as “the responsibility of an organisation for the impacts of its decisions on society and the...
by Kate Underwood | Feb 15, 2016 | General
Do You Need To Issue A Contract Of Employment? I wish there were an easy, yes or no answer to this question, but like everything in life, the devil is in the details. With all the red tape nowadays it can get very confusing whether someone is an employee or a...
by Kate Underwood | Feb 7, 2016 | General
Why A Social Media Policy Is A Must For Your Small Business Hands up who has a smartphone! Of course you do – it’s the twenty-first century! We live in a world where a whopping “77% of consumers say they are more likely to buy from a brand they...
by Kate Underwood | Jul 5, 2015 | General
How To Deal With Employee Sickness I have just spent some time reading a few great articles around employee sickness and how much it costs small businesses. During my time, I have heard a multitude of excuses as for why someone cannot come into work, some obviously...
