What’s the difference between a Minimum Wage and a Living Wage? Well, it depends who you ask. There’s a compulsory Living Wage all employers have to pay, although critics say that just changed the name of the Minimum Wage – and it’s lower than the “real but voluntary” Living Wage. Currently, employers have to pay […]
What happens if firms cannot hire enough people to make goods, look after people and wait on customers? We might find out soon. The Government has outlined plans for a points-based immigration system after the UK leaves the EU. The immediate reactions involve the difficulties ahead with getting “low-skilled” workers to qualify, which might affect […]
Friction in working relationships can be a part of your working life at times, although hopefully not in a bad way. People have different priorities and viewpoints. But sometimes you can find yourself in a situation where the dispute goes on and you cannot see a way out. It might be an issue about a […]
Can you manage your friend and say when she or he is causing problems? Can you do this to your partner and then share a bed later? We work with many firms where friends either got together to launch the endeavours or partners came in to work there very early on. Others have hired their […]
Working with all kinds of people, we spot issues and trends as they rise and fall. One thing we’ve seen increase is conversations about people using cocaine. The clichéd views are that it’s everywhere, it’s becoming more and more acceptable and it’s just another option for people who want to have fun. In reality, it’s […]
If you see or hear the words “developing people” – you probably don’t react well. If you’re a manager, it probably feels like a duty or, at worst, a pointless exercise. Ticking a box in an appraisal process. But here’s where you’re wrong. Because I’ve worked with all kinds of people who, at some […]
Hands up who loves appraisals! Come on, don’t all rush to raise your arms enthusiastically. If you’re sighing and feeling it’s something you have to do, because your boss and HR are hassling you about it, then here’s some quick advice: 1 You have to do it – so make an effort If you […]
On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me: 12 drunken staff, 11 promised pay rises, 10 crates of beer bought, 9 passed out workers, 8 leering managers, 7 punches thrown, 6 cupboard lovers, 5 bullied workers, 4 broken bones, 3 drunk drivers, 2 sexist jokers and a Christmas party headache! The […]
Ho ho ho! ‘Tis the season of goodwill, when people smile more and sing along to festive favourite tunes while hanging tinsel and baubles over anything they can. So here are 7 things to consider as you eat your own weight in mince pies and chocolates: 1 Say thanks Come on, just say it. Even […]
Apart from her HR talents, Melissa carves amazing Halloween pumpkins. This year’s model is Pacman!
Once upon a time, businesses communicated by posting letters, making phone calls and meetings. Now people are sending and receiving work messages through emails, messaging apps and texts. While considering the obvious pros and cons – from speed and ease of communication to the risks of being overwhelmed by pinging notifications on your phone from Slack, […]
We deal with all sorts of quirky goings on in the wonderful world of work and HR – but bringing a clown to a formal meeting is a new one on us! You may have read that a man in New Zealand chose to bring an “emotional support” clown with him to a meeting with […]
Everybody works with someone who is taking medication of some sort. You just might not know about it. One worry about Brexit is any disruption to the way medications get into the UK and are available to people. More than 60% of medications come into the UK from or through the EU. It’s something we’ve […]
I’m spending hours every week reading applications and CVs at the moment. Time and time again I am coming across the same common mistakes that tick the ‘no’ box. So have a read through my list of bugbears and you never know it might help you get that all important interview and land your dream […]
Let’s start by saying this is relevant advice now but things might change. This is the Brexit saga, after all. Many firms we work with have people moving between countries, either permanently or for a fixed period of time or just for business visits. We all have many concerns about how this will change when […]
If telling people off at work was easy, then anyone could do it. In reality, managers find it hard sometimes. You work closely with people and nobody enjoys sitting with someone who’s feeling angry or sad because you’ve just told them off or criticised them. But there are times when you have to decide if […]
It’s a long weekend: you get 3 days off and then a shorter 4-day week, if you work Monday to Friday. Have a wonderful bank holiday! Have fun and relax.
Summer holidays are almost upon us and everyone’s heading somewhere for a week or two. With mobiles, tablets and laptops, because that way you can check in with social media and work while you’re away. That’s normal, right? Who would have a complete break from work and technology on holiday these days and just completely […]
Living or Minimum wages: what do you have to pay?February 21, 2020 - 11:10 am
Visa changes and moving to the UKFebruary 19, 2020 - 12:14 pm
Rows at work – ideas to change thingsFebruary 14, 2020 - 12:15 pm
Working with friends and familyFebruary 14, 2020 - 12:00 pm
White powders and workplacesFebruary 14, 2020 - 11:54 am