Author: Emma Browning

Work Life Balance, Business Owner, Outsource, HR Consultant,
Culture and change
Emma Browning

Is Work-Life Balance Ever Really Achievable For Business Owners?

When you dip into an article from an HR consultant about work-life balance, you probably have a few preconceptions about what we’re going to say to you. You might imagine that we’re going to tell you that time off is vital, and that no one can fire on all cylinders without getting some well-deserved time away from the office. Maybe you think that we’re going to drive home the importance of adhering to the legislation around working hours, and ensuring you aren’t breaking the law when it comes to how…
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Employment law
Emma Browning

Recruiting for Less Desirable Roles… What do you Need to Know?

Picture the scene …. Your business is growing, and it’s time to bring in an extra pair of hands to manage all the various different tasks that are clogging up your desk. Excellent! It’s a sign of growth, and it could mark the start of an exciting new chapter for your business. But you sit down, and you start to put your job description together. All of a sudden, you’re worried. You know that you need to recruit a cold-caller, but you also know that finding someone who loves getting…
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Culture and change
Emma Browning

Should you let Your Staff Work From Home?

  According to recent research by ILM, more than half of workers feel trapped by the rigid structure of their workplace. A whopping 74% said that they wanted more freedom and flexibility, so it’s not really surprising that homeworking is a trend that a ton of savvy employers are considering. Homeworking provisions vary between businesses, but the overarching principle is that you let your staff carry out their tasks from the comfort of their own space. They might do this once or twice a week, or it might be a…
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Culture and change
Emma Browning

You Survived Blue Monday… but is Mental Health an Issue in Your Business?

So if you’re reading this, then you made it through the most depressing day of the year. Monday 16th January, or ‘Blue Monday’ is the time when the festivities are well and truly over, we’re back into a monotonous routine, and it feels like there’s not a great deal to look forward to. It’s also bang in the middle of a period when staff absences are likely to be high. Adrian Lewis, Director of Activ Absence, said: “Weary workers cannot face coming into work – it’s a long month too,…
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Employment law
Emma Browning

Ten Ridiculous (but Completely Real) Excuses for not Paying Minimum Wage

Sometimes, you read something online, and you can’t possibly believe that it’s true.  Sure, it might make for a funny or thought-provoking story, but you don’t actually think for one minute that it really happened. It’s there to prove a point, or start a conversation, or even just provide a little bit of light-hearted entertainment. If you’ve already seen the list of the worst excuses that employers have made for not paying minimum wage, then you’d be forgiven for thinking that SURELY, these aren’t things that real employers have said.…
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Uncategorised
Emma Browning

Recruitment Masterclass

Workshop Aims This workshop will help small business owners and people managers to understand the legal do’s and don’ts of recruitment, as well as making sure you can attract and recruit the best candidate for the role through creative advertising and a thorough and robust interview and selection process, thus avoiding costly recruitment mistakes. Agenda the importance of a developing your brand story to attract the best candidates to your business how to develop a consistent interview process that allows candidates to demonstrate what they can do and how they…
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Uncategorised
Emma Browning

Five strategies for being a better leader in 2017

If you run your own business, then it goes without saying that you’ll want to be a better leader. It might not sound as exciting as the tangible measures like bringing in more cash, or increasing your profits, or slashing unnecessary costs, but make no mistake… ALL of these things can be a direct result of polishing and perfecting your leadership skills. But what does being a better leader involve, in practical terms? And what can you be doing on a day-to-day basis to raise your game? Here, we look…
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Uncategorised
Emma Browning

Your HR Checklist for 2017

Now that the Christmas rush is over, it’s time to knuckle down with your plans for the year ahead. A little organisation can go a long way, and can really help you to avoid problems, hit your goals, and make sure that you’re not only fulfilling your obligations, but becoming the best employer that you can be. Right now, you might feel like you have your work cut out for you. We want to lighten that load though, and give you the tools and prompts that you need to get…
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Uncategorised
Emma Browning

What you need to know if you’re recruiting in 2017

Brexit might have created uncertainly for business owners, but the latest research shows that 2017 could be a wonderful year for jobseekers. According to research by Manpower, the UK has returned to business as usual, and the net employment outlook has risen to 7%. So if you’re planning to recruit to grow your business, what do you need to be aware of? And how can you make sure that you capture the top talent? Here, we tell you what you really need to know. An ad in your local paper…
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Uncategorised
Emma Browning

Bosses aren’t immune to the January blues

January can be a thoroughly dull and dismal month, and if you’re feeling a bit down in the dumps, then you’re definitely not alone. The festivities are over, the weather is miserable, and there’s pretty much a full six months to wait before your summer holidays will come round. Right about now, you’re probably considering your strategy for relighting a little spark in the workplace, and ensuring that your employees have some solid goals to work towards. You don’t want the January blues to take over. This time of the…
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