We’re all pretty clued up these days when it comes to the importance of building teams that work together to drive a business forward. No one is questioning the benefits, but there is a great deal of confusion around what it actually means to develop a team that operates at its full potential. There are some common misconceptions that are …
How to welcome new staff into existing teams
Recruiting a new member of staff for your growing business can be a really exciting time, but it’s something that you should definitely consider carefully before you rush into taking action. One of the key challenges that you’re going to face is ensuring that your new recruit is welcomed into your existing team without any significant teething problems. Now of …
No-brainer ways to improve your HR practices by the end of the year
As we quickly roll into the final quarter of 2015, most business owners will be focusing on a couple of things. If you still have some big goals that you haven’t quite smashed, now’s the time to pull your socks up and make that final push. There should also be plenty of time for reflection though, so you can work …
It’s time to rethink your appraisals
Recent research from PwC revealed that two thirds of larger companies are thinking about revamping their appraisals processes. The 2015 Performance Management Research found that businesses are becoming increasingly eager to ditch the once-a-year approach and instead concentrate on developing practices that create a continuous feedback culture. It’s often suggested that it’s time for appraisals to be scrapped in …
Are your HR practices in desperate need of an overhaul?
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. Call it a necessary evil if you like, but the fact remains that if you want to grow …
Could grandparental leave be the next big HR issue?
Many businesses have just about got a handle on their new responsibilities surrounding shared parental leave. So the recent announcement from David Cameron indicating that he may in fact look at Labour’s proposals for allowing grandparents to share up to 18 weeks of unpaid parental leave will no doubt leave some employers feeling overwhelmed about what the future holds. It’s …
Gender pay reporting could be mandatory next year
It has been revealed that by 2016, it could be mandatory for businesses with 250 or more employees to publish information on how much they pay their male and female employees. It’s hoped that such measures will help to tackle the gender pay gap. Though progress has undeniably been made in recent years to ensure that women are on an …
You have less than a year to prepare for mandatory living wage
The UK government has announced that from April 2016, a mandatory living wage for employees over the age of 25 will be introduced. It currently stands at £6.50 and will be increased to £7.20. Conservative First Secretary of State George Osborne said, ‘Britain deserves a pay rise and Britain is getting a pay rise’. Of course though, the issue is …
3 Top tips for getting the most out of your relationship with your HR Consultant
Have you made the decision to work with an HR consultant to tackle people management issues within your business? This could be an excellent choice, and a tactic that could really pave the way for sleeker and more efficient working practices in the future. If you don’t have the resources at the current time to have your own in-house HR …
Why don’t your employees trust you?
Trust is a funny 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, you’re …