Never mind e=mc2. Employee Wellbeing2=profits10

· by Emma Browning
I need to clear something up! What do we actually mean by employee wellbeing? To this day, wellbeing remains a contested word, with various definitions and spellings and still remains “conceptually muddy”.  What I can assure you though – it definitely isn’t ‘wellness’. “Workplace wellness” is usually linked with the word “health” and unsurprisingly the focus is mostly on employee physical health such as being at a healthy weight, looking at your nutrition, exercise, and stopping smoking etc.  All extremely worthwhile and creditable for sure, but they alone, will not…

Top 5 HR Questions for May

· by Emma Browning
1.Should we fight or settle a claim against us? The cost to employers of defending an employment tribunal claim was highlighted when Times Higher Education reported that a university had spent more than £200,000 defending an unfair dismissal claim that could, it said, have been settled for much less. The case in question was Quigley v University of St Andrews EATS/0025/05 – a constructive dismissal claim that went as far as the Employment Appeal Tribunal. The case raises the question for employers: is it better to settle or to fight?…

Must employers provide equipment for employees who work from home?

· by Emma Browning
While there is no specific duty on employers to provide equipment for employees working from home, they should ensure that employees have everything they need to be able to work safely and effectively. Where the employer requires employees to work from home, it should provide the equipment or agree to reimburse employees for the cost of suitable equipment. Where the employer allows, rather than requires, an employee to work from home for some of the time (for example under a discretionary hybrid working arrangement), it should agree with them who…

I have an employee who has been diagnosed with Cancer. How do we deal with this from a pay perspective and as an employer that wants to be supportive?

· by Emma Browning
Being diagnosed with cancer is an extremely stressful and worrying time for an employee and their family. They will not only be worrying about their health but also how their diagnosis may impact their work-life and career, and of course their ability to pay their monthly bills. As an employer, it is important to know that when an employee is diagnosed with cancer, they will be considered “disabled” under the Equality Act 2010 and therefore protected against discrimination. I would like to think that every employer would be compassionate in…

Your top 5 HR Questions answered this month

· by Emma Browning
Here’s our round up of the most frequently asked questions from our clients and our advice for you, which we hope you find helpful. If you have a question you’d like answered next month, then just send it to us at hello@merakihr.com and we may include it in next month’s Top 5! 1. We are all working flexibly from home now, so I want to employ someone in France / Spain / Mexico. How do I go about this?  Whilst many companies are continuing to work flexibly from home or…

How to adapt to remote working in the long term

· by Emma Browning
Recent Covid-19 announcements and subsequent guidance issued by the Government on easing the national lockdown, have left many employers in a difficult position deciding what’s best to do. The Covid-19 lockdowns have proven that remote working is feasible for many employers and numerous surveys has shown that a large degree of employees prefer having this degree of flexibility in their working life. Bringing employees back into the workplace brings its own set of challenges, but employers now must consider whether remote working can be performed in at least some capacity…

Do you want to get £5 return for every £1 you invest in your people?

· by Emma Browning
Consider for a moment, the findings of research conducted by Deloittes that states that for every £1 invested into Employee Wellbeing, you will receive a £5 return – that’s a pretty impressive return on investment. When you take the time to show your people you care – in a variety of ways – they are going to be happier and healthier, more engaged in their jobs, and more productive. The bonus is that when your staff are happy and well, this typically leads to better customer service, too. And who…

An Employers’ Guide to Strategically Managing Employee Wellbeing

· by Emma Browning
When I am fit, healthy, and well rested, I feel good and make good business decisions. But the savvy business owners and leaders among you have already realised that! Looking after your people as a business owner is a human, ethical and moral responsibility — and it’s good for business too! Higher staff engagement means fewer absences, lower staff turnover and far better business results. Well-being is very much on the agenda this year, so our article here examines the importance of looking after your employees and the impact it…