How to make sure your business is fighting fit for 2021!

· by Emma Browning
You probably started your own business because you’re passionate about bringing your product or service into the world, and providing a much-needed solution for your customers and clients. This people management malarkey though – it’s not necessarily what you signed up for is it? Call it the bit of the job you hate if you like, but the fact remains that if you want to grow a thriving business, you can’t get away from it. You need the best people practices, procedures, and policies in place that ensure you’re hitting…

Job Retention Scheme Extension 18th December 2020 – FAQ’s

· by Emma Browning
For any of you that missed it, there was yet another extension to the Job Retention Scheme announced on the 18th December, so the scheme will now run until 30th April 2021. Just in case you missed this news or want a refresher on all the latest Furlough news and rules, here’s our latest update and FAQ’s courtesy of Crosslands Solicitors. Only those employees (widely defined) employed on 30 October 2020, provided that an RTI submission had been made in respect of them between 20 March 2020 and 30 October…

Raising the Bar for HR

· by Emma Browning
Ready to raise the bar on HR?  Growing a business without HR expertise is challenging at best, and a constant uphill struggle at worst. If you’ve ever had to tackle a people issue on your own, you’ll know just how stressful it can be. Between trying to manage your legal obligations, and meeting your operational requirements, firefighting can become part of your everyday routine if you’re not careful. The last few months have shown us, how valuable it can be to have your HR Expert on speed dial. There is…

What needs to be on your People Agenda for 2021?

· by Emma Browning
HR’s role in Managing the Long-Term Impact of the Pandemic and Remote Working The Covid-19 pandemic has changed our way of working. But how will the big shift we are seeing within our clients to remote working, impact how we work in the future, and what role does HR have in managing the long-term impact on businesses? Remote Working Covid-19 forced many companies to switch to remote working literally overnight. Although some companies and employees alike have relished in their new working from home arrangements, to be successful in the…

Job Retention Scheme Extension 1st December 2020 – FAQ’s

· by Emma Browning
Thank you once again to Beverley Sunderland at Crosslands Employment Lawyers for their excellent support and advice during these last 9 months! These FAQs deal with the mechanics of furloughing workers under the Job Retention Scheme (JRS) now in place until the 31st March 2021. The JRS was first put in place to provide employers whose operations had been affected by coronavirus with wage assistance from 1 March 2020. It was originally intended to close on 31 October 2020; however, was extended as a result of the Government’s decision to…

Further Furlough updates

· by Emma Browning
HMRC love a Friday night update! So here’s the latest roundup of updated guidance for you!  The updated guidance covers the 1st November to the 31st December 2020, as we are told that the scheme will be reviewed again in January. Be prepared for further changes, and I would predict a reduction in Government contribution levels being a key change. CJRS Bonus scheme that would have paid you £1000 for retaining furloughed employees in your business has been officially abandoned The  new Directive officially revokes this, because the extended furlough…

Coronavirus Update

· by Emma Browning
Thank you once again to Beverley Sunderland from Crossland Solicitors on Milton Park, South Oxfordshire for keeping us fully informed and briefed on all the latest legal changes so promptly! The Job Support Scheme announced on the 28th September Running for six months from 1st November until 30 April 2021, employees who are working at least a third of their normal working hours due to such a decrease in demand will be paid for the hours worked by their employer, but for the hours not worked, the employer and the…

Do you need HR Oxygen?

· by Emma Browning
Growing a business without HR expertise is challenging at best, and a constant uphill struggle at worst. If you’ve ever had to tackle a people issue on your own, you’ll know just how stressful it can be. Between trying to manage your legal obligations, and meeting your operational requirements, firefighting can become part of your everyday routine if you’re not careful. The last few months have shown us, how valuable it can be to have your HR Expert on speed dial. There is always the option to call upon HR…

Returning to the Workplace – Guide

· by Emma Browning
This guide will help you plan your organisation’s next steps as lockdown measures ease or following a period of furlough The CIPD is urging businesses to ensure they can meet three key tests before bringing their people back to the workplace and Meraki HR would encourage its clients to follow these 3 same principles; Is it essential? If people can continue to work from home employers should at least consider continuing to do that for the foreseeable future. If they cannot work from home, is their work deemed essential to…

Returning to the Workplace – FAQ’s

· by Emma Browning
Q: From a health, safety and well-being perspective, what are the employer’s obligations about managing a return to work? From 1 August Government guidance outlines that: Office workers may cautiously return to work from 1 August if it is safe to do so. The Government’s previous advice that workers should continue to work from home wherever possible and avoid public transport ends from 1 August. Any return to work by office staff is at the employers’ discretion. The onus is therefore on employers (not the Government) to decide how staff…