Buzzing About HR

National Insurance rises to 15 percent in April 2025. For small businesses, that is not a headline. It is a hit to cash flow. Payroll is already one of your biggest costs. Margins are tight. And now employer NI is climbing again. The temptation is to absorb it and move on. But what if you could offset some of that increase without cutting roles or freezing pay? In this episode of Buzzing About HR...

Have you ever given a quick pay rise to keep someone from leaving, only to watch it snowball into resentment across your team? That knee-jerk decision might be costing you far more than you realize. With International Women's Day approaching and the National Living Wage set to increase next month, pay fairness questions are unavoidable for small business leaders. This episode dives deep into...

The future of work is a hot topic, especially as we navigate the intricate dynamics of hybrid and in-office models. In this episode, we dive deep into the battle of work styles, examining the perks and pitfalls of each approach. With many employees now comfortable working from couch to boardroom, we explore how hybrid structures can offer flexibility while still retaining the energy and collaborat...

In this episode of Buzzing About HR , host Kate Underwood takes a closer look at the rise in National Insurance contributions coming in April 2025 and what it really means for small and medium-sized businesses. With contributions increasing to 15%, many employers are already feeling the squeeze. Payroll costs are climbing, hiring decisions are being delayed, and some businesses are even considerin...

In this episode of Buzzing About HR , host Kate Underwood explores one of the most important topics for any workplace: mental health . For small and medium-sized businesses, the impact of poor mental health can be huge. But with the right approach, supporting your team’s wellbeing isn’t just good ethics, it’s good business. Kate shares practical ways to create a mentally healthy workplace, the rol...

In this episode of Buzzing About HR , host Kate Underwood tackles one of the hardest parts of running a business: redundancies . Whether it’s financial pressure, restructuring, or simply the need to evolve, making roles redundant is never just a legal process — it’s a human one. Kate unpacks how to do it properly: with fairness, empathy, and a clear plan that keeps both the business and its people...

Buzzing About HR Straight talking HR for real businesses. Welcome to the hive. This is the podcast for business owners and managers who sometimes think, “Why does managing people feel harder than running the actual business?” If you have ever opened your inbox to a resignation you did not expect, avoided a tricky conversation for weeks, or found yourself googling employment law late at night hopin...