When an employee is off sick, it can be challenging to know how to stay in touch. You want to show your support without crossing any boundaries. Finding that balance is key, not only for the well-being of your team member but also to maintain a sense of connection while they’re away. Here are some […]
Fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace is not only a legal obligation but also a key factor in creating a diverse and productive workforce. One valuable resource available to UK employers is the Access to Work scheme, a government initiative designed to provide practical and financial support to employees with disabilities, long-term health conditions, and […]
Electric cars have been back in the news recently with EVs now subject to road tax for the first time from April 2025. Many companies have introduced salary sacrifice schemes to allow employees to drive an electric car while giving up some of their salary. Others have moved towards providing electric cars where they still […]
When recruiting staff for a day nursery in England, ensuring candidates are suitable to work with children is a legal and ethical necessity. If a prospective employee has lived or worked overseas, particularly in a role involving children, obtaining a police check from the relevant country is an essential step in safer recruitment. This guide […]
When we first had the Working Time Regulations we were told we would have to record breaks. I can recall it still, we all thought exactly how are we going to do that given that for most employees the timing of breaks has to be flexible to meet the needs of the business. Thankfully that […]
This month saw my son James turn 21 years of age. James was the reason I started Redwing Solutions, to be able to spend more time with him when he was a baby. In my 21 years of business I think the hardest challenge I have faced is getting staff to think and act for […]
When you’ve conducted a disciplinary or a grievance process and raised a letter of outcome you then have to consider how you will give the outcome to your employee. This is an area where I am afraid, some employers forget the importance of the psychological contract. How we best communicate? Here’s an example. Employee A […]
When we talk to Managers about performance management, it is common for the conversation to occur because someone’s performance is sub optimal. Manager’s love talking performance management. Actually that’s not true, they dislike it and often tell us just how unimpressed they are that we are encouraging them to manage performance using a semi formal […]
Training is a fundamental and essential part of an employees career journey with their employer however it can also be costly investment. Understandably it’s common to want to see some return on the investment through retaining your skilled employees. In today’s recruitment market it can also be a useful incentive for employees to remain in […]
Remember red weather warnings are a danger to life. They are rare but they shouldn’t be ignored. 1. What are my rights if I am meant to be working during Storm Darragh? Your rights depend on your employment contract and the specific circumstances. If your workplace remains open, you are generally expected to attend work […]
With the announcement of the Employment Rights Bill and the detailed breakdown of the Government’s intentions in their Next Steps to Make Work Pay document we know have a little more information about how all employers, big and small will be impacted. Whilst we understand the Government intends to consult and some of the new […]
On 10 October 2024, the Government published its long-awaited Employment Rights Bill, meeting its 100-day deadline. Alongside the Bill, the Government released a “Next Steps to Make Work Pay” document, outlining a broader plan for future reforms. If you’re a small business owner, it’s natural to feel concerned about what this might mean for your […]
Recently I heard a talk where the focus was that in work our energy makes all the difference. It really got me thinking. Do I always turn up with the right energy? Reflecting on the teams we work with today, and will have worked with in the past can you think of people who turned […]
We often get asked whether in a Transfer of Undertaking (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) if its OK if sellers share employee information and data with the buyer. Sometimes its not a question of If, and more a question of When! This is a very good question, because in normal circumstances businesses are keen to ensure […]
Burnout has become a growing concern in today’s fast-paced work environment, with more employees feeling overwhelmed and exhausted due to excessive work demands. Burnout is not just about feeling tired; it’s a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress. When employees consistently work long hours without adequate rest, it can lead […]
Instead of a blog you’ve got a podcast recorded on the subject of getting your team to think and act as you would – essential for any small business owner.
When you spend a lot of time with colleagues, it’s natural to develop warm relationships with them, and maybe even some genuine, outside-of-work friendships. That’s a good thing, obviously work is more pleasant when you are on good terms. But when you are the manager, the rules are different. You can be friendly, but you can’t […]
From time to time we see contracts of employments in use that employers have received from other HR consultancies where the clauses are inadequate. Sadly, this will always happen where their is a tricky employment issue to resolve, it just never happens with the straightforward ones. In a recent case, we were supporting a client […]
Recently I was reading about a workplace where an employee, signed off as unfit for work by their GP had communicated with their employer that they would be out of the country and travelling overseas. The employer was alarmed to read that their unfit colleague was well enough to travel by plane. As we are […]
The concept of the psychological contract has increasingly gained attention in organisational behaviour and human resources management. Unlike formal, written contracts, the psychological contract comprises unwritten expectations and beliefs about the mutual obligations between an employer and an employee. This intangible agreement significantly influences workplace dynamics, employee satisfaction, and the over success of an organisation. […]
This one is going to be divisive. Some people will question why this is a question at all? The Request In today’s workplace, the bond between employees and their pets is stronger than ever. With pets often considered family members, employees may request time off work when their pets are ill. As a manager, handling […]
I write this watching the league one playoffs where Oxford United face Bolton Wanderers to see who will be in the Championship next season. Its a beautiful day in Wembley and I’ve just observed that I hope for the players sake, this doesn’t go for penalties as it looks like a warm one. Watching football […]
Constructive unfair dismissal is a dismissal where the employee has resigned and where under the Employment Rights Act 1996, the employee terminates the contract under which they are employed (with or without notice) in circumstances in which they are entitled to terminate it without notice by reasons of the employer’s conduct. Most successful constructive dismissal […]
When it comes to management one of the greatest offences we can commit as a manager is to give our employees only half our attention. It is both an offence to the employee and to ourselves. So what do I mean by ‘give your employees your full attention’. Great relationships are build on great environments. […]
I talk a lot about the changing employment relationship because its an area that fascinates me. As you may know I turned 50 last March and I find myself increasingly thinking about how things were “different in my day”. You know you are old when that sentence comes out of your mouth, I can tell […]
Binary Questions are ones that is are firmly closed question, that can only be answered yes or no. They may seem assertive and efficient to the party that proposes to use them. Unfortunately, they have a nasty knack of landing poorly. Let me give you an example of a binary question in the context of […]
In today’s dynamic workplaces, the art of communication is more than mere exchanges of information. Among the different forms of dialogue that can occur between managers and their reports every day, candid conversations stand out as pivotal tools for fostering a culture of trust and transparency. These open exchanges, where colleagues feel empowered to express […]
From time to time we get asked what to do when someone leaves with immediate effect. These might be described as a the “here, you can have my badge” moments. Sometimes accompanied by a lot of ‘huffing’ and “I’m not putting up with s*** this! ” comments. These circumstances are never pleasant for any of […]
Big changes are on the horizon for fathers and partners as the Paternity Leave (Amendment) Regulations 2024 come into effect. These regulations make paternity leave more flexible and accommodating for new parents. In this article, we’ll delve into the upcoming changes and discuss how employers can prepare for these adjustments. Key Amendments to Paternity Leave […]
As of April 6th, 2024, significant changes will be brought in with the introduction of The Carer’s Leave Act 2023. These changes are aimed at improving the support system for employees with caregiving responsibilities. In this article, we will explore these changes and offer guidance to help managers prepare for this evolving landscape. The Carer’s […]
