Newsletters & Blog

Zero hours contracts and self employed contracts can both be useful in the right circumstances. They can give businesses flexibility, help manage fluctuating demand and allow people to bring in support without committing to a traditional permanent role straight away....

Recruitment can feel like a practical process: write the advert, review the CVs, interview the strongest candidates and choose the person who seems right for the role. But there is one area where employers can get into difficulty very quickly: asking questions about...

A probationary period can be an important stage in the employment relationship. It gives both the employer and the employee time to understand whether the role is the right fit, whether expectations are being met and whether any extra support is needed. However,...

A new employee’s first few days can shape how they feel about their role, their manager and the business as a whole. A strong employee induction helps new starters understand where they fit, what is expected of them and who they can go to for support. It also helps...

What is HR? HR stands for Human Resources. In simple terms, it is the part of a business that deals with people, employment, workplace policies and staff related processes. For some businesses, HR is handled by an internal HR manager or HR department. For others,...

How to Manage Time Off Without Losing Control of Your Business Summer should be the easiest time of year. Warmer weather, lighter evenings, holidays booked, and out-of-office replies switched on. But for most SME owners, it rarely feels that simple. Instead of...

The UK Government has confirmed it still has no plans to introduce statutory menstrual leave for people with endometriosis or adenomyosis, despite a petition with more than 109,000 signatures and a Westminster Hall debate on 13 April 2026. The petition called for up...

When a business is growing, HR often develops in stages. In the early days, it may be handled by the founder, a director, an office manager or whoever has the best grip on the paperwork. As the team grows, the people issues become more regular, more sensitive and more...

The Question Most Small Business Owners Get Wrong (Blog contribution by Phil Edwards, ETC) Hiring is one of the most stressful decisions for micro and small business owners. Hire too early and cash flow suffers. Hire too late and the owner burns out. Many owners delay...