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Performance Improvement Plans Have a Bad Reputation – We Need to Start Using Them Properly
Mention the words Performance Improvement Plan to an employee, and there’s a fair chance they’ll immediately think: “They’re trying to get rid of me.” And that’s a real shame. Somewhere along the way, PIPs have developed a reputation as the beginning of the end. The employee gets called into a meeting, they’re handed a document…
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‘They’re Self-Employed, So It’s Not Our Problem’ – Not Anymore
For years, the ethos has always been: “They’re self-employed. We’re not their employer, so their Right to Work isn’t our responsibility.” Historically, there has been some truth to that. The statutory Right to Work checking scheme has primarily applied where somebody is employed under a contract of employment, service or apprenticeship. The current Home Office…
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Restructure and Redundancy – Getting the Business Decision and the People Process Right
I’ve supported clients through restructures which ultimately resulted in redundancy. These are some of the most difficult situations a business owner has to manage. There is a commercial decision to make, but sitting behind that decision are real people whose income, family and future are affected. My job in these situations isn’t to prevent the…
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One Size Fits Nobody: Why Different Workers Need Different Contracts (And What Happens When You Get It Wrong)
This happens far too often, so I decided to give you some insight …………….. If every person in your business is on the same employment contract, or worse, no written contract at all, you’re carrying a risk you probably haven’t priced in. Small and growing businesses rarely have a neat, uniform workforce. You might have…
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Why Choosing a Qualified HR Consultant Matters for Your Business
Whether you’re looking for an HR consultant, outsourced HR support, or employment law advice, choosing the right HR professional can have a significant impact on your business. From employment contracts and disciplinary processes to absence management, workplace investigations and performance management, poor HR advice can be costly. Yet, unlike solicitors, accountants or financial advisers, HR…
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The WhatsApp Manager: Why Informal Management Creates Formal Problems
Modern technology has made communication easier than ever. But in many businesses, particularly SMEs, the rise of WhatsApp management is quietly creating enormous employee relations, well-being, and legal risks. I see it all the time: What starts as “quick communication” often becomes one of the biggest causes of workplace conflict. And the reality is this:…
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Toxic Workplace Culture, Poor Management and the Real Cost to Businesses
At ECL People Solutions Ltd, one of the biggest misconceptions I still come across is the idea that HR is simply about “protecting the business.” Good HR should absolutely protect a business, but it should do that by ensuring managers act fairly, processes are legally compliant, and employees are treated properly. When businesses misuse performance…
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Anyone can sell you Breathe HR
Anyone can sell you Breathe HR. Not everyone can make it work properly. Most providers will set you up, upload a few documents, and leave you to figure it out. That’s where things fall down. What I do differently I don’t just give you a system, I build you something that actually works in the…
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What Do I Need in Place to Employ Staff? (UK Guide for Small Businesses)
Taking on your first employee, or growing your team means you’re growing, but it is a big step. Yes, it’s exciting, but it also comes with responsibility. And the point here is…………. Most small businesses don’t get into trouble because they meant to do something wrong. They get into trouble because they didn’t know what…
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Why Small Businesses Don’t Always Need In-House HR
Many small businesses assume that if they don’t have an HR department, they simply manage people issues themselves. And for very small teams, that’s understandable. But employment law, workplace expectations and regulatory changes are evolving faster than ever. Recent reforms to employment legislation mean that having access to HR expertise is more important than ever…
