Blog

What does it take to succeed in HR?

· by Emma Browning
Here’s what some of today’s HR Influencers  think you need to succeed in HR: “My perspective is relatively simple. You need to have extensive experience on the ground working in the field of HR – any functional area of HR but the more experience you have, the better. Those that have never dug the trenches CAN’T possibly have the perspective to truly influence an industry. They’ve never lived in the shoes they are trying to influence so in my humble opinion, their credibility is absolutely nil. This may be harsh…

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…

FFS – the re-introduction of Furlough in all its forms!

· by Emma Browning
Further to our brief update on Monday 2nd November, after the Boris announcement on Saturday evening, which totally ruined my Strictly Come Dancing viewing, the Government has now made major changes to their proposed way forward and seem to have scrapped the Job Support Scheme, at least for England. The furlough scheme paying 80% of wages capped at £2,500 per month is going to be in place until 31 March 2021 but the employer contribution (currently employer’s NI and pension) will be reviewed again in January – I would expect…

Is it time to re-think your appraisals?

· by Emma Browning
Many employers at this time of year will be thinking about their end of year reviews/appraisals/1:1’s – whatever you call them! Chances are, you are either dreading it, putting it off or will simply leave it until the beginning of next year, when maybe you have had a break and are ready to face the task! Recent research from PwC revealed that two thirds of larger companies are thinking about revamping their appraisals processes. The research found that businesses are becoming increasingly eager to ditch the once or twice a…

To party or not to party – that is the question!

· by Emma Browning
The Christmas period is a challenging time for many business owners, and this year will be no exception.  Normally, Christmas is a time when customers or prospective customers are in the Christmas spirit and often have a little extra cash that they’re willing to spend, so it will be interesting to see how many of us business owners approach Christmas, with many suffering losses to revenue they won’t be able to fully recover and therefore tightening our belts cost wise. With everything that’s going on, you might not have even…

Why don’t your employees trust you?

· by Emma Browning
Trust is a funny old issue. It’s hard to describe, and it’s arguably not very measurable. Those who are skeptical of the HR profession might say that it’s exactly the type of thing that we’re known for dealing with – in other words, all fluff and no substance! Jokes aside though, if there’s a lack of trust between management and employees, and employee and HR, you’re going to run into serious problems. Issues like low productivity, high turnover of staff, and a bad reputation as an employer. All of a…

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…

5 Tips for Creating a Happy & Healthy Workforce during a Pandemic

· by Emma Browning
As an employer, you have a responsibility to ensure that your staff are healthy, happy, and productive. That’s an even taller order during these uncertain times that we are living and working in at the moment! However, there are many business benefits to making sure you continue to adopt this approach – it’s a moral obligation too. The forward thinking companies that can cement best practices into their everyday new way of working will undoubtedly reap the benefits. Need a little further incentive? Focusing on health and wellbeing could lead…

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…

The positive impact volunteering or charity events will have on your team

· by Emma Browning
If I told you that approximately 70% of FTSE 100 companies have a volunteering programme, would you be surprised? I know I was! So, there must be a compelling reason why our biggest and most successful corporates do this. After all, they have budgets and performance targets like the rest of us.  How do they justify this ‘charitable’ financial commitment to their returns-hungry shareholders?  Because they know that engaged employees make happier and more productive employees, that’s why!  Making sure you have highly engaged employees at the moment, is absolutely…