We’re all well versed in the benefits of soft skills training. Research has shown that they account for 90% of what makes people progress up the ladder. Whilst soft and hard skills should work in harmony – the so called softer, people focused skills can be difficult to master. In the interest of keeping life…

It is estimated that during 2017 there were 6,217 suicides in the UK, and that most people who take their own life were employed at the time of their death. Given these statistics it’s likely that at some stage in your working life you will know someone at work who has taken, or attempted to…

So, you’re thinking about suspending an employee. Before you send them off on a paid holiday, it’s important to ensure suspension is the right way to go. It’s a big deal being suspended. We say it’s a neutral act – but it sure doesn’t feel that way for the employee. So as employers we must…

When we’re supporting our clients with their workplace investigations, we find that there are three things most managers struggle with: • They aren’t clear about what it is they are actually looking in to • Once they are clear – they don’t plan their questions in a way that enables them to stay on track…

The world of TUPE transfers is complex in language and in process. As employment lawyers and training professionals, we mainly get asked three questions about the TUPE process: what are the obligations for a transferee, a transferor and when does TUPE actually apply? We’re going to cover these off today. Firstly though, a little note…

The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day on 8 March is Gender Balance. What does this mean to women in the workplace? It might be achieving a better balance of women in senior roles, that women feel they are treated in a more balanced way at work, or that they feel more balance in…

Hands up everyone who has a maternity policy? A paternity leave policy? An adoption policy? A shared parental leave policy? It’s good to take the time to ensure that your employees know what they can expect when they are starting, or thinking about starting, a family. Even if your policy is to go no further…

It’s well understood that achieving respect in the workplace is everyone’s job. It’s also the case that people don’t recognise that the impact of behaviour can be different to their intention. This is at the heart of why communications and training about a respectful workplace can be challenging. Our people think ‘I’m not sexist, racist…

When organisations want to increase productivity and employee engagement within the workforce, it can be all too easy to reach for the ‘employee engagement survey’ button. As HR professionals we can do a lot more to alleviate this issue than send round a survey. Whilst surveys absolutely have their place in analysing engagement levels within…

51% of trans people have hidden their gender identity at work for fear of discrimination. This is a headline from this year’s Trans Report for Stonewall, despite the legislation in place to protect trans people in the Equality Act 2010 and The Gender Recognition Act 2004 and at a time when organisations are talking constantly…