Hi, I’m Kate, Welcome To My Blog!
I love using my Human Resource experience to help small businesses grow and improve. The intention of this blog is to provide a great, cost-free learning resource for all your HR practices. On this main blog page, you’ll find blogs a wide range of helpful topics; from compliance and people management to health advice to increase your staff’s happiness and wellbeing. Finally, because I love my gadgets, I hope to introduce you to handy, productivity apps and technologies. Nothing would make me happier than knowing this blog will help your company change for the better.
Emotional Intelligence: What is it and why does it matter?
It’s not unusual to need training or coaching when you undertake personal development, and improving your emotional intelligence is no exception
What happens when annual leave and staff sickness absences collide?
You have an employee about to start a period of annual leave and they fall ill. Can they reclaim their holiday entitlement because they are sick?
Right to Work: What do you need? And, what happens with Brexit?
You could face 5 years of jail time if found guilty of employing someone you “had reasonable cause to believe” doesn’t have the right to work in the UK.
Is it OK to monitor an employee’s social media?
Is it OK to monitor an employee’s social media? First you should consider – do you have good policies in place to define the use and monitoring of social media?
How to offer employee benefits on a budget
Complete our 2019 Benefits Survey to receive a FREE e-book featuring ideas on benefits and building a winning team and you and a friend might win Afternoon Tea!
Take Part In Our 2019 Benefits Survey And Win Tea For Two!
Complete our 2019 Benefits Survey to receive a FREE e-book featuring ideas on benefits and building a winning team and you and a friend might win Afternoon Tea!
Are You Looking After Your Employee’s Mental Health?
Poor mental health has a massive impact on people’s lives, therefore it is paramount you do what you can to help improve your employee’s mental health
Who Can Accompany An Employee To A Disciplinary Meeting?
After a New Zealander recently took a clown to a disciplinary meeting, we answer an oft-asked question who can accompany an employee to a disciplinary hearing?
Introducing Our Revolutionary Recruitment Support Service
Does the idea of a recruitment drive fill you with dread? Here at Kate Underwood HR, we understand; that’s why we introduced our Recruitment Support Service
Introducing Our Brilliant New BreatheHR Set Up And Go Package!
BreatheHR software just got even better with our BreatheHR Set Up And Go Package. Designed to save you HR admin time so you can get back to doing what you love
Policies: 4 Great Ways To Ensure You Have The Right Policies
Sainsbury’s found themselves on the wrong side of a tribunal after firing an employee for wearing headphones whilst working. Did they have the correct policies?
10 Amazing TED Talks On Leadership You Need To See!
Improving and evolving your leadership skills is a must for small business owners. So make some time to watch these brilliant TED talks and become a true leader
Your Quick Guide To Working Out Holiday Pay
Everyone knows that getting your employee’s Holiday Pay correct is important, but it seems that employees frequently feel like their bosses are getting it wrong
Your FREE Guide To Occupational Health
Here’s your FREE quick guide to Occupational Health, covering what Occupational Health Physician’s work can entail and what they can offer a business like yours
Occupational Sick Pay Schemes: 3 Great Pros & 3 Bad Cons
At some point all business owners must consider whether or not to offer Sick Pay. There are pros and cons to think about when considering a Sick Pay scheme.
5 Tips for Mental Health Awareness Training
Mental Health Awareness is more important than ever. Employers have a duty of care to look after their employees Mental Health as well as their physical safety.
The 6 Best Apps For Small Business Owners
When it comes to HR technologies, these 6 Apps for small business owners can help your company save time and effort, increase productivity… and reduce stress!
Happy 4th Business Birthday To Kate Underwood HR!
As I sit on the 7am train on my 4th business birthday, I have time to reflect on how far I’ve come and ask myself what do I want to achieve in the next 4 years?
6 Amazing Pieces Of HR Tech For Small Businesses
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 software your...
The 17 Best Workplace Technology Trends For 2019
From finance and expenses to people management, I’d like to share 2019’s Best Workplace Technology Trends with you… for free!
Remote Working Benefits These 4 Areas Of Your Business
The benefits of remote working are often obvious to employees. But what about the benefits to you as the small business owner?
April 2019 Employment Law Update: The Terrific Pros & The Terrible Cons
The April 2019 Employment Law Update means we’ve had a National Minimum Wage for 20 years, but what other changes do Small Businesses need to take into account?
15+ Ways Mindfulness Can Grow Your Business
Mindfulness is based on an ancient practice of encouraging awareness, clarity, and acceptance of the present moment and it can help your business and help you!
Help Your Staff Switch Off For These 3 Brilliant Benefits
Help your staff switch off so they feel less pressure from our ‘always-on’ culture and your business reap will the benefits of a happier, productive workforce
15+ Benefits Of Physical Exercise For Small Business Owners
For our Wellbeing month, we have to mention the benefits of physical exercise for small business owners. Over to guest blogger – Personal Trainer, Greg Small.
Food Allergies: A Big Responsibility For Your Small Business
It is vital your small business has robust procedures on letting customers with food allergies know what’s in their food, hygiene and food preparation areas.
5 Powerful Ways To Improve Your Job Descriptions
Job descriptions provide employees with clear expectations of what is required of them, so here are 5 powerful ways to make sure you’re all on the same page…
4 Essential Tips To Avoid Costly Recruitment Mistakes
From strategizing and marketing and timing, This guide will explain all you need to know to avoid costly recruitment mistakes and win brilliant new employees!
Connect Your Business Plans And Appraisals
Your Business Plans and Appraisals should be connected. By utilising the Golden Thread concept, everyone in the organization is headed in the same direction
What Is E-Learning? And Why Do I Need It?
E-learning typically refers to remote, tech-based training or education and it is fast becoming the most effective ways to onboard, train and develop staff…
Self-Employment – What Do I Need To Know?
This month’s guest blogger shares their story about their journey from redundancy into self-employment and has some great advice for people in the same boat…
5 Awesome Benefits Of The BreatheHR Payroll Export Tool
Making sure employees are paid correctly on time is imperative. Luckily, the BreatheHR App has released a NEW Payroll Export Tool that makes payroll a breeze!
6 Tips For Celebrating Christmas And Religious Festivals
As the festive period is fast approaching, Celebrating Christmas And Religious Festivals should be on your mind if you wish to accomodate your diverse workforce
Can Small Businesses Enforce Training Agreements?
Offering staff training is an incentive and is a great way to keep employee turnover as low as possible, but can Small Businesses Enforce Training Agreements?
5 Effortless Ways BreatheHR Software Transforms Businesses
5 Ways BreatheHR Software Will Transform Your Business. Here are the top five reasons you should already be using BreatheHR for all your Human Resources needs
2018 Budget Update
A quick guide to how the 2018 Budget Update will affect employers, and statutory increases in National Living Wage and Pensions so you can ensure you budget
Why Return To Work Interviews Are Vital
Do you ALWAYS carry out a Return to Work Interview when an employee comes back from a period of sickness? If the answer is no, you need to read this right now!
5 Sensational Tips For Using BreatheHR
If you’re after an HR system, I can especially recommend BreatheHR. If you’re already using it, I’d like to share five sensational tips for using BreatheHR
DO NOT Make This Costly Mistake When Checking References
Checking references is a vital part of recruitment and, as we’ll see from this fun, Star Wars inspired story, you only have yourself to blame if you don’t check
Hiring An Intern Is What Your Business Needs
This summer I was very lucky 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