HR Advice For Small Businesses Archives

Why Absence Reporting Isn’t Optional (And Why It Really Matters)

Let’s be honest—no one loves talking about absence procedures. But if you’ve ever been left guessing whether someone’s off sick, overslept, or has simply been abducted by aliens, you’ll know why a proper reporting process is essential.

Consistency is key. Every employee, every time.
You can’t expect some employees to follow the absence procedure and let others slide. You can’t discipline certain people for ignoring it while turning a blind eye to the rest. And you definitely can’t enforce the rules only on Mondays or when you’re in the mood.

Suspiciously shattered screen

The text came in from my daughter Frances, and I immediately did a doubletake:

““hey mum, my screen is shattered so im borrowing my friends old phone for now…”

Yes, that is word-for-word, and no Frances’ grammar is not that poor, despite the language of the “youff”!

It’s a spam message, which I spotted a mile off, and not just because I know that Frances knows her “SPAG”.

Exit Interview Questions

An exit interview is a carefully planned and structured conversation between a departing employee and key personnel at their employer, usually a line manager or HR manager. Exit interviews play a vital role in understanding why the employee is leaving and identifying areas in which the employer could improve. To get the most out of … Read more

HR Support For Small Business

If you are searching for ‘HR support for small business’, the expert HR consultants at GAP HR are on hand to help. We offer specialist, affordable guidance that helps our clients navigate the complexities of employment law and HR practice and avoid making costly mistakes. Call us now on 01491 598 600 or Click Here … Read more

Roles Of HR

Modern businesses recognise the importance of the roles of HR as strategic, commercial functions. Far from being merely a back-office department focused on payroll processing, filing paperwork, and handling the occasional disciplinary action, HR roles are wide, varied, and crucial to a business’s success. At GAP HR, our consultants specialise in all the roles of … Read more

Pays to proofread

Chances are you’ve heard that it’s ‘tough out there’ for job seekers.

It’s undoubtedly true, which makes it even more important for candidates to ensure that they’re doing the very best they possibly can.

And in our attempt to hire an Executive Assistant, I’ve seen plenty of them not just failing to do their best, but actively shooting themselves in the foot.

Disciplinaries: 9 classic employer blunders (and how not to make them)

Running a small organisation is tough enough — you’re juggling budgets, staff, customers, volunteers, and the occasional crisis about who drank the last bit of milk. The last thing you need is a disciplinary going pear-shaped because of a technicality.

But that’s exactly what happens. Employers often think they’re handling things “about right”, only to discover (usually at tribunal) that they weren’t. The good news? Most of these slip-ups are avoidable with a bit of process and common sense.

My very expensive dog walk

Last week, I set off on a dog walk — fresh air, soggy shoes, and those delightful “free deluge showers” courtesy of Mother Nature. Halfway down a muddy path, my phone rang—unknown number. Normally, I’d ignore it, but because I get random calls all the time from people needing help with their staff, I answered.

How bad could it be?

Pretty bad for my bank balance, it turned out!

Sexy coffee pods, Lake Como and making the dull desirable

Now that the days are turning colder and darker, my morning coffee feels more essential than ever — and in our office, that means the Nespresso machine. We’ve got two coffee machines (and a kettle), but the Nespresso is our pride and joy. Sleek, stylish, and a little indulgent — it’s not just coffee, it’s a ritual.

We joined the Nespresso coffee club when they offered us a free machine in exchange for a newsletter subscription. A no-brainer!

But of course, a machine needs pods. So last weekend I went onto the Nespresso website — and was instantly hooked.

The Staff Issue of the Year (and Employer Delusion) Award Goes To…

All of my clients know that if they come up with a staff issue we’ve never seen before, they get chocolates.

It is with deepest regret (and some disbelief) that I have to announce: the 2025 award has already been won.

A client, a manufacturing company, rang with what they thought was a simple query:

“Can we issue a warning without doing a disciplinary meeting?”

“Why don’t you want to do the meeting?”

“He has mental health issues, and we don’t want to push him over the edge.”

Your Biggest Email Threat Isn’t a Hacker – It’s Betty, Your Colleague

You need to know exactly who has access to your email.

Not a spy.

Not a cybercriminal.

Someone much closer to home – your own team.

Human Resource Outsourcing

At GAP HR, we understand how time-consuming and complex it can be for SMEs to navigate the intricacies of employment legislation and HR practice. That’s where human resource outsourcing comes in. We partner with small, owner-managed businesses across the UK, providing the advice, support, and guidance they need to effectively manage their workforce, comply with … Read more

HR Advisory Services

At GAP HR, we specialise in providing HR advisory services to small businesses like yours around the UK. We have over 20 years of experience in the field, and we are the go-to specialists for those operating in the leisure, entertainment, and hospitality sectors, as well as many others. Call us now on 01491 598 … Read more

Why Office Romances Still Need Rules

By now, you’ve probably heard about that unfortunate CEO who got caught on the big screen at a Coldplay concert getting very cosy with someone who wasn’t his spouse. Embarrassing? Absolutely. But honestly, that’s tame compared to some of the workplace antics we’ve seen in the wild. Here’s what we’ve seen in real life (no … Read more

Judging a Book by Its Cover – Or a Member by Their Tattoos?

A golf club contacted me this week after admitting a new member with visible face tattoos.

They had clearly seen the tattoos at the time of joining and had no issue—until another member complained. Not about the content of the tattoos, just the fact that they were on his face.

The club wanted to know whether they were now stuck with this decision, or if revoking his membership would amount to discrimination. Specifically, they asked: Are tattoos a protected characteristic?

Human Resource Consulting Services

Running a small business comes with a set of unique challenges, one of which is staying up to date with your obligations under employment law. At GAP HR, we offer specialist human resource consulting services to small, owner-managed businesses throughout the UK. Our expert HR consultants will work closely with you to ensure you comply … Read more

Human Resource Consulting

Human Resource consulting can play a crucial role in your business’s HR function. Specialist human consulting firms like GAP HR offer the strategic guidance, operational support, and crisis management you need to ensure your organisation complies with its legal obligations and manages its workforce effectively. Call us now on 01491 598 600 or Click Here … Read more

How to erode goodwill (in just 45 minutes)

I may be betraying my age, but when it comes to clothes shopping, there’s one retailer that sits right at the top of the tree: Marks and Spencer.

(Or at least it did…)

I bought a load of clothes from a store recently and brought them home to try them on in comfort and privacy.

They were all lovely, but most of them were a bit too big.

No problem, I thought, I can just scan the barcode of the item and order the next size down.

Flexible Working Briefing – What You Can’t Say No To (Even If You Want To)

Here’s the key thing: under the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act 2023, employees now have a day one right to request flexible working. And as employers, you’re legally required to give the request proper and reasonable consideration. That doesn’t mean you have to say yes – but it does mean you need a solid business reason to say no.

Let’s be really clear on what DOESN’T count as a solid reason:

Toilet Tribunal

We recently had to investigate a bullying claim, with a twist.

The claim was brought by a number of greenkeepers against the Head Greenkeeper, and the thing that made it all come to a head?

Turns out the Head Greenkeeper had taken the door off their one standalone toilet and insisted on holding team meetings – whilst he was sitting on the loo!

It had taken months for the greenkeepers to tell anyone outside of the team about this.

Months!

“No protected characteristics – go ahead.” Famous last words…

We’ve found another “protected characteristic” that employers of all sizes need to be aware of.

Last week, we were advising a golf club that wanted to dismiss an employee with under two years’ service. There were personality clashes. He was 39 years old, white, male – no obvious protected characteristics which could lead to a tribunal claim – so we gave the green light to proceed with termination.

Then came the curveball: a claim from the employee seeking £28,000 in compensation, alleging he was dismissed because of his union membership.

Union membership? In our world, that’s extremely rare. Honestly, we assumed he’d made it up.

So we double-checked with the client: “Did you know anything about him joining a union?”

Cue the bone-chilling reply:

Sexual Harassment Policy

Developing and implementing an effective sexual harassment policy is a crucial step in complying with your legal obligation to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. Our HR specialists, with our decades of experience in employment law and practice, can provide the advice and guidance you need to produce an effective sexual harassment policy tailored to … Read more

HR Consultants

Our specialist HR consultants are true experts in HR and employment law issues. With decades of experience in working with small, owner-managed businesses, we have a detailed understanding of what your business needs to recruit and retain the very best workforce and comply with its legal duties. Call us now on 01491 598 600 or … Read more

Outsourced HR Support

At Gap HR, we specialise in providing outsourced HR support to small, owner-managed businesses throughout the UK. With decades of experience in HR and employment law issues, you can be confident that our support and guidance will ensure your business recruits and retains the best talent, complies with its legal obligations, and avoids tribunal proceedings. … Read more

Outsourced HR Services

Outsourced HR services of the type offered by our consultants at GAP HR enable small, owner-managed businesses like yours to access expert HR and employment law advice without having to employ a full time HR manager. Call us now on 01491 598 600 or Click Here to Make An Enquiry and we will be delighted … Read more

HR Support Services

At Gap HR, we have an outstanding reputation for offering cost-efficient, effective HR support services to owner-managed businesses throughout the UK. We step in to take care of your HR function and deal with any employee issues, enabling you to concentrate on the continued growth and success of your business. Call us now on 01491 … Read more

HR Consultancy

At GAP HR, we offer a specialist HR consultancy tailored to your organisation’s individual needs and priorities. With over 20 years of experience in the field, we have a proven track record of keeping small businesses like yours legally compliant and Tribunal free. Why Are Human Resources So Important? Your employees are your most important … Read more

How To Handle Sexual Harassment In The Workplace As A Manager

Employers have strict legal duties when it comes to dealing with sexual harassment in the workplace. Everyone within your organisation has their part to play to assist you in ensuring you adhere to those duties. Managers, in particular, are at the forefront of fostering a culture in which sexual harassment is deemed unacceptable, identifying any … Read more

How Do Deal With Sexual Harassment At Work

A crucial aspect of your role as an employer is understanding how to deal with sexual harassment at work. Under new laws, if you fail to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace, you run the risk of paying a higher amount of compensation to employees who bring successful Tribunal proceedings. At … Read more

Can I go on holiday?

It’s that time of year again – the skeleton crew is in operation, staff disappear for weeks at a time, and you silently curse yourself for approving the holiday in the first place.

Before we get into the silly season, let’s answer some of the key questions we get around holiday:

How much holiday entitlement do my employees get?

“It depends” is the short answer.

Getting the Result You Want – Without Saying a Word

We’ve had a bit of a lucky streak lately when it comes to problematic employees moving on. While we haven’t quite mastered the art of telepathy, a surprising number have chosen to resign just as things were coming to a head. Often, it’s because they realise their employer is getting proper HR advice – and the days of coasting without consequences are rapidly coming to an end.

A resignation, especially one submitted without drama or grievances, is often the ideal outcome. If they leave with immediate effect, that’s even better – no notice to pay (just accrued holiday), and a clean break for everyone.

However, we’ve had two recent cases where employers were so wound up and ready to dismiss that they couldn’t quite let go of the idea – even after the employee resigned.

Forget the “wham, scam, thank you ma’am” marketing gimmicks

I’ve never been slow when it comes to buying shiny things online through social media. Most of my purchases have turned out just fine, and for those that didn’t, I either chalked it up to experience or got my money back via PayPal!

But this week, I had a realisation: the tried-and-tested marketing strategies still work brilliantly on social media. You don’t have to go “full American” with dramatic countdowns, flashing discounts, or the desperate “BUY NOW OR YOUR LIFE WILL END” tactics. There’s a much smarter way to do it.

Lack of trust – time to fire?

If you’re thinking about parting ways with an employee, chances are you’ve thought about how you’re going to justify the decision.

And in my experience, a line that’s trotted out more often than most as justification?

“There’s been a loss of trust and confidence”

If you’re thinking about using a similar line, I’ve got two words for you:

Please don’t.

Not that PIP

The acronym PIP has been in the news a lot recently, as a result of the Government’s proposed changes to the benefits system. But it’s a different PIP I want to talk to you about today – the Performance Improvement Plan, which is used to help employees address problems in their performance When to Use … Read more

We’re going on a bookkeeper hunt

I’ve been on the hunt for a new bookkeeper.

First and foremost on the shopping list is someone who knows their numbers, but inevitably, something else comes first:

Marketing.

You see, it’s no good being the best bookkeeper since sliced bread if you can’t get yourself in front of any prospective clients, and my experience so far has left rather a lot to be desired.

Warning in the water

I don’t know whether there’s something in the water in 2025, but we’ve had a lot of emails from people requesting the same thing:

“Can you send me a template to give a verbal warning to an employee?”

We always say no.

Because, more often than not, warnings are being used incorrectly.

Warnings have their place, but this isn’t it

Minimum wage mistake

Like it or not, from an employee rights perspective, 2025 is going to be a big year, and if you haven’t done anything to prepare for the changes coming your way, I’d strongly recommend it. Before you get there though, it’s worth highlighting that lots of employers aren’t even getting the basics right now, even … Read more

Redundancy murder

I don’t know about you, but these early months are hibernation time in the Wahlen household, as we hide away from the wind and rain and catch up on some TV drama.

And recently – between dog walks – I’ve been diving into Death in Paradise; the sun and beaches are always welcome visuals when it’s beating it down outside.

Until they drop a clanger. From an HR perspective that is.

On one particular episode the murderer is revealed, and his motive?

“Well, you see I worked for his company for 30 years and then they made me redundant and I got nothing!”

Officially old

I’ve got an announcement: I’m officially old.

This realisation has little to do with the page turning on another year, and everything to do with my internal thermostat.

I’m officially old because I’m ALWAYS cold.

Being increasingly sensitive to the temperature comes with its fair share of challenges – the simplest way to counteract the cold is to whack the heating up, but the evil smart meter in the corner of the room blinks red at me far too often for this to be the complete solution.

Bah humbug to best one yet

I know that in the doom and gloom of January, harking back to the festivity and frivolity of Christmas isn’t exactly a popular move.

But I hope you’ll forgive me for doing exactly that today – there is a good reason!

The Christmas Day just gone was the best one I’ve had for decades, despite returning from Thailand cursing the weather and feeling very “bah humbug” about the whole thing in the run-up to it.

So, why was it the best?

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