TOP CAUSES OF WORKPLACE CONFLICT


1) Unfair workloads and disparity between employees working hours

2) Gossip and rumours

3) Friendship groups and cliques

4) Preferential treatment for some staff

5) Negative attitudes towards the company

6) Salary / wage differences

7) Promotions and progression

8) Staff arrivals / departures

9) Unfair distribution of training and development opportunities

10) Extra breaks for smokers

Can I insist my employees work overtime?

Businesses sometimes need employees to work more than their normal hours in order to meet the needs of the business but can you ask an employee to work more hours without paying them?

In practice, you can, however, there are a few things you need to bear in mind:
  • The employees contract of employment must clearly specify that they may be requested to work additional hours and that you do not pay overtime.
  • As an Employer, it is important to bear in mind the Working Time Regulations, which means that employees cannot work more than an average of 48 hours per week.  The average is worked out over a 17-week reference period.  
  • The employer must ensure that the employee’s average pay for all the hours they have worked does not dip below the relevant minimum wage.
  • If employers do pay overtime, details of overtime rates of pay should be clearly detailed in the Contract of Employment.

Tribunal Fees Decision

Last week the supreme court made a landmark decision about tribunal fees – they have been removed! 

The court ruled that the government had acted unlawfully when it introduced the fees and that everyone had a right to justice.

Experts believe that there will now be a surge in tribunal claims, so it is crucial to get things right when dealing with employee relations, in order to avoid tribunal proceedings. 

Have you ever wondered what your employee’s pet hates are?

Here’s the list:


1. Kitchen cleanliness / washing up
2. Talking loudly
3. Poor timekeeping
4. Poor personal hygiene
5. Tea/coffee rounds
6. Milk/ tea availability
7. Stolen food

Sometimes its the small things that help to boost morale in the office, so start by tackling some of the above issues for a happier workforce!

EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT

Recent research has revealed that, on average, UK employees change employers every five years, a marked increase in frequency on previous years. It is therefore crucial for businesses, no matter their size, to address employee engagement.

One of the biggest drivers of feeling engaged at work is the relationship you have with your manager.  Managers need to build more trusting relationships with their direct reports by having regular, honest and open conversations with them.  


Please contact us to discuss Employee Engagement further.