Everything you need to know, and nothing more!

Have you ever put off having an important conversation with one of your staff because you fear what could go wrong? You work through all the scenarios in your mind and convince yourself that you’re going to make things worse if you speak to them about an issue. And it keeps you stuck. And frustrated. […]

I was recently delivering a people manager training session on how to give feedback. We were specifically talking about giving constructive feedback, and I asked the group why some of us struggle as managers to have those trickier conversations with our teams. The responses varied from ‘…because I don’t like being negative towards anyone, especially […]

With advancements in technology and the world seeming a smaller, more accessible place, I’ve fallen into the habit of being available all the time, night or day, 7 days a week.  I have management responsibilities and feel like I can’t ignore calls and emails as my team know that I carry my mobile phone with […]

We’re often asked for our best advice to people managers and it’s quite simple really; prepare notes of key conversations with staff. It doesn’t have to be a laborious task and can be a quick aide memoire for you to refer to later if required. For example, if you have an employee who is persistently […]

What’s the one staff issue that could be resolved before the end of the year? Maybe you need to have a difficult conversation, make changes, or end a relationship or a practice that no longer serves you. You’ve still got time to do that. Employers often put off giving bad news in December and wait […]

Once upon a time, a business owner had a great idea to start employing people to help relieve some of the workload pressure on him, and to make more money by increasing capacity and winning some new business. He dusted off the contract of employment that was given to him in his last job 4 […]

If you’re out of your depth with a tricky HR issue at work, whether it’s a grievance, performance issue, disciplinary matter, change to T&Cs or just working out what you are going to do tomorrow when furlough is no longer an option, get some advice on your options. Most Tribunal Claims could have been avoided […]

Managing people can feel like a relaxing game of chess on a Sunday afternoon or a crazy paintball shoot out in the woods, in the dark, with paint all over your visor! You have no idea what your strategy is but you’re going for it anyway! Are you equipped to play the game of Employopoly? […]

When the going gets tough …the tough get going. And if you sang that, “hello” my people! Billy Ocean will be in your head for the rest of the day! What do you do when things are tough at work? Do you hide? Delegate? Or do you lean into the issue and work your way […]

After several long months the guidance that, if they can, people should work from home will finally come to an end along with other restrictions with effect from 19th July. A number of employers have already confirmed that they require staff to return to the office over the coming weeks, although the number of days […]