Everything you need to know, and nothing more!

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 […]

I ended a relationship with one of my clients today. It felt awful. I didn’t want to do it, but it was the right thing to do; we were not the right fit for each other. Have you ever had that feeling that someone is not right for your business, but you carry on the […]

You’ve got an issue with someone in your business that you really do want to deal with, in fact, you have wanted to do something about it for years but have avoided doing so. How much have you paid that employee since the issue arose? How many sleepless nights have you endured? How many days […]

“Great advice, thanks”. “But we’re not going to follow it” is what they should have added. ONE WEEK LATER “We’ve had a letter from a solicitor asking for £50k for that employee we sacked.” After 20 years of being an employment lawyer, I’ve seen my fair share of workplace disputes and can usually spot the […]

Receiving a grievance out of the blue, or a call from ACAS, an appeal or a solicitor’s letter may be viewed cynically, particularly when it’s received in response to a challenge to an employee’s performance or behaviour. But before you get ready for battle with your staff, take a moment to reflect on why your […]

“I’m fed up with my staff” said my client “It’s not about getting the job done anymore. It’s about pandering to their feelings and desires; tiptoeing around them so that they perform their duties adequately and don’t sue us. And they also expect a pay rise or bonus after 5 minutes in the role!” Unfortunately, […]

I’ve noticed that more employees are demanding their rights be observed, quoting ACAS or their lawyers, even where there is no resistance from their employers to them exercising those rights anyway! Sometimes the hostility is counter-productive and destroys the working relationship completely. A client was informed by a new starter that she was 6 months […]

As a service provider, I agree a scope of work with a client and a price for that service, then I deliver. I like working with some clients more than others, but I recognise that I am there to get the job done. I take pride in my work; I want to please my clients […]

Well, actually, I don’t hate all employees, despite what some people think. I picked a side in workplace conflicts and decided to help employers get out of their sh*tshows, regardless of who caused the issue in the first place. I don’t enjoy working with liars, fakers, game players, lazy louts, takers and the unjustifiably entitled, […]