Our Blog
World Mental Health Day October 2021 – Raising Awareness and Supporting Employees
What is mental health? Anyone can get mental health problems, we all have times when we feel down or stressed or frightened. Most of the time those feelings pass. But sometimes they develop into a more serious problem and that could happen to any one of us. Not one...
Why you should outsource your HR
As a business owner, particularly of a start-up or SME, it can be easy to find yourself wearing all the ‘hats’ in the office – receptionist, accountant, PA, tea-maker – the job description is endless. Being a business owner myself, I know that being a Jack of all...
Hybrid vs Flexible Working – which is right for your business?
The pandemic, as disruptive as it has been, has kickstarted an arguably much-needed revolution in the business world. Are bosses or their teams in a hurry to return to the often restrictive ‘bums on seats, 9-5, Monday to Friday’ approach to the working day? A recent...
How can I use the furlough scheme to protect my business and employees?
Update 04 March 2021 - After the Budget annoucement on 03 March 2021, the Furlough scheme has been extended until end of September 2021, with some adjustment to funding levels from July 2021. Read further on how using the scheme benefits both business and employees....
Can I make my staff come to work during the Coronavirus pandemic?
It’s a time of great conflict for business owners trying to balance the wellbeing of their staff with the needs of the business.The health and safety of your workforce is vital, but at the same time, some sense of stability and consistency is also required to maintain...
How to manage employees’ foreign travel risk during COVID-19 restrictions
Can an employer stop an employee going abroad?Can an employee demand their leave be cancelled because they can’t travel?What happens if an employee gets stuck abroad – if they can’t work there do I have to pay them?What do I do if one of my employees comes back from...
As an employer, what are the rules on sick pay during COVID-19?
Sick pay has become an issue of much confusion and frustration during the pandemic.Self-isolation rules for contacts of COVID-19-infected individuals means employees are worrying about missing out on pay, and employers are potentially low on numbers of staff not able...
Can I make my staff have the COVID-19 vaccine?
The COVID-19 vaccine is a significant milestone in the pandemic and gives hope to many of us that at last we might be able to start making a return to normal life. As a business owner, I am sure your focus is on ensuring the safety and security of your staff and...
Contracts And Employee Handbooks
What They Are And Why You Need Them? The first rule of employment is to ensure contracts are in place – and there’s never a reason not to. Even if you’re working in the family business, for a friend or someone else you know, a contract is essential when two people...
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Extension
What is new? Guidance has now been made available from the Government on the extension of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, or otherwise known as furlough, what is new or what has changed. This document explains more. Extension-of-CJRSGuidance
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Extended and Job Support Scheme Postponed
The Government announced on the 31st October 2020 that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) or otherwise known as Furlough Scheme has been extended. As of the 1st November 2020 employers can use the CJRS/Furlough scheme for a further month. The Job Support...
Government Kickstart Scheme
Did you know it is not too late to apply for the Governments "Kick Start Scheme". The Kickstart scheme is helping young people on Universal Credit who are at risk of long-term unemployment get into the job market by providing government funding for employers...
Job Support Scheme
With the current Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) coming to end on 31 October 2020. The Government announced a new Job Support Scheme (JSS), that will follow on from the CJRS, and will open from 01 November 2020. The JSS will be in place for at least six months...