The Employment Law & HR Podcast

Step by step guidance on the Employment Tribunal Process In this episode 192 of the podcast I bring you the second in a mini series covering step by step guidance on the Employment Tribunal process. This is applicable for both employees who may want to make a claim and employers who may be defending a claim. This second episode is about what happens after the claim and defence have been filed and...

Step by step guidance on the Employment Tribunal Process In this episode 191 of the podcast I bring you the first in a mini series covering step by step guidance on the Employment Tribunal process. This is applicable for both employees who may want to make a claim and employers who may be defending a claim. This first episode is about starting the claim process and includes:   ACAS Early Conciliat...

In this episode 190 of the podcast I bring you my tips and ideas on how to best handle having difficult conversations with employees. One of the most difficult parts of managing people is having uncomfortable conversations particularly about performance and behaviour. But it can be an easier process and one that you do not have to dread. In this episode of the podcast I cover: What is a difficult...

In this episode 189 of the podcast I bring you a detailed account of how to get your recruitment process right, and why a good process is important to ensure that you get the best candidate, conduct recruitment fairly and avoid any legal claims. In this episode of the podcast I cover: What you should consider before you start a recruitment process. Best practice. Things to avoid. The importance of...

In this episode 188 of the podcast I bring you a detailed account of the probation period at the start of employment or the start of a new job role. Probation periods are something that most employers use but rarely utilise in the correct manner. In this episode of the podcast I cover: What a probation period is. Why you should have a probation period. What is the purpose of a probation period. Wh...

In this episode 187 of the podcast I bring you an interview with Jeri Williams, an employer who has implemented a results only working environment within her business. In this episode of the podcast we cover: What is results only working or ROWE? Why Jeri decided to implement results only working in her business? The practicalities of implementing results only working. The benefits to staff recrui...

In this episode 186 of the podcast I bring you information and ideas on how best to deal with issues of alcoholism and substance abuse at work. In this episode of the podcast I cover: Why employers need to think purposefully about how to deal with alcohol and substance abuse among employees. Why alcohol and substance abuse issues may arise. Your legal duties as an employer. The impact of alcohol a...

In this episode 185 of the podcast I bring you my observations of the critical things that employers and HR professionals should be considering and acting upon now. This is in light of things that we are seeing in practice and which I can foresee causing difficulties in the very near future. In this episode of the podcast I cover: Why thinking about mental health and wellbeing of staff is critical...

The importance of following a fair process in an unfair dismissal claim In this episode 184 of the podcast I bring you details of a recent case decided by the Court of Appeal in respect of unfair dismissal in a redundancy situation. The case is  Gwynedd Council and S Barratt & I Hughes In this episode of the podcast I cover: The basic position with regards to unfair dismissal and redundancy dismis...

In this episode 183 of the podcast I bring you an interview with Nicola Green, a specialist in helping organisations with menopause support at work. In this episode of the podcast we cover: Why it is important for employers to think meaningfully about menopause support. The benefits of putting in place good menopause support and strategy. The fact that menopausal women are the fastest growing demo...

In this episode 182 of the podcast I bring you details of the current legal right to request flexible working and what employers need to know, as well as detail about the consultation for change to the flexible working rights and requirements. In this episode of the podcast I cover: The Government's consultation behind the proposed changes to the current arrangements for flexible working. The curr...

In this episode 181 of the podcast I bring you my thoughts on the main changes to the world of work that employers need to be aware of. These are my views on what has caused the change and what employers have to consider moving into 2022. I would be very interested to hear your thoughts on this? Have I missed something? What do you think will be the biggest change in 2022? Please leave a comment b...

In this episode 180 of the podcast I bring you my practical top tips for managing mental health in the workplace. These are my practical tips which I recommend all employers implement in their business or organisation. Promoting good mental health practices and wellbeing need not be difficult and in this episode I breakdown into some easy steps to follow. In this episode of the podcast I cover: Ho...

In this episode 179 of the podcast I bring you an extract from a webinar I recently delivered for our  HR Harbour  Members on the top tips for managing sickness absence. These are my practical tips for really managing sickness absence with employees. I understand how difficult it can be to manage employees who are absent and in this episode I breakdown into some easy steps to follow. In this episo...

In this episode 178 of the podcast I bring you a fantastic interview with Karin, Sophia and Lindsay from Gateway Women an organisation who support childless women. To quote from the podcast interview "Women in the workplace who are childless is the biggest diversity issue that HR have not heard of" and hopefully in this episode we can educate employers and HR about the issue so that at the very le...

In this episode 177 of the podcast I bring you my practical tips for managing home working. This follows episodes 174 and 175 about the introduction of hybrid working. As many employers will be continuing with home working arrangements in the long term it is important to ensure that arrangements are made for the health, safety and wellbeing of the employee, and to ensure that supervision of the em...

In this episode 176 of the podcast I bring you the latest information on furlough ending and the key points employers need to be aware of in respect of the changes to self-isolation rules which came into effect in August 2021. In this episode of the podcast I cover: Why it is important to make plans now for the end of furlough. What your options are in respect of furloughed or flexibly furloughed...

In this episode 175 of the podcast I am following on from the last episode on Hybrid Working and this time bring you my list of practical considerations that employers should be working through when preparing to introduce Hybrid Working. In this episode of the podcast I cover: Why it is important to consult with staff  before  you finalise your policy and introduce Hybrid Working. Why you should g...

In this episode 174 of the podcast I am very pleased to be joined by Kate Davis, Leadership Coach and business mentor to talk about the very timely and topical subject of Hybrid Working. In this episode of the podcast we cover: Why this is a timely and particularly important issue now. Why it is important for employers to plan ahead and really look at the steps required to implement hybrid working...

In this episode 173 of the podcast I continue the series about dealing with capability and performance issues with staff. With what I am calling, the 'Covid effect', there may be more issues arising with employee attitudes and performance at work, particularly as staff return from long term furlough. In my experience employers and managers find it very difficult to know how best to approach capabi...

In this episode 172 of the podcast I continue the series about dealing with capability and performance issues with staff. With what I am calling, the 'Covid effect', there may be more issues arising with employee attitudes and performance at work, particularly as staff return from long term furlough. In my experience employers and managers find it very difficult to know how best to approach capabi...

In this episode 171 of the podcast I continue the series about dealing with capability and performance issues with staff. With what I am calling, the 'Covid effect', there may be more issues arising with employee attitudes and performance at work, particularly as staff return from long term furlough. In my experience employers and managers find it very difficult to know how best to approach capabi...

In this episode 170 of the podcast I start a new series about dealing with capability and performance issues with staff. With what I am calling, the 'Covid effect', there may be more issues arising with employee attitudes and performance at work, particularly as staff return from long term furlough. In my experience employers and managers find it very difficult to know how best to approach capabil...

In this episode 169 of the podcast I am covering the tricky question of what you can do if an employee refuses to return to the workplace because of covid concerns. Also with the guidance about shielding changing what you need to consider when asking a formerly shielding employee to return to work. In this episode of the podcast I cover: How to avoid problems from arising when you are getting read...

In this episode 168 of the podcast I am covering an issue that has been coming up fairly frequently of late, as employers are looking to make changes to employee terms in light of uncertainty about the economy and what business will really be like once lockdown restrictions are eased. So what do you need to consider if you are changing employment contracts. In this episode of the podcast I cover:...