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HR Services and Employment Law specialist: For Employers
Call Us: 01491 598 600 Email Us: cw@gaphr.co.uk

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Written by Carolyne Wahlen

Your employees, however well you get on with them, are there to earn money.

Never forget this.

So many small business owners make the mistake of treating employees like family or buddies.

This is all well and good when things are going smoothly.

But what happens when a downturn in business means you have to make someone redundant?

I’ve seen it, and they react especially badly. They turn up to work to pay the bills.

When that has gone, any friendship you built is immediately in jeopardy.

They may instead feel moved to sue, and the business could fold. It happens; don’t assume you’re immune to it.

And this week, we had an added refinement on this theme:

Don’t assume they appreciate the same things you do.
[Read more…]

Filed Under: Grievance, Managing Employees, Redundancy Texts

Pick a protected characteristic, any one…

Written by Carolyne Wahlen

One of the golf clubs we look after received a grievance letter from a staff member recently.

It started off with the claim that he was being “harassed, bullied and victimised” under the Equality Act 2010 (Which is always fun!).

Wow, all of those things at the same time?!

But the most telling part of it is that he did not state WHICH protected characteristic he was being persecuted for.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Discrimination, Grievance

Push button, avert disaster

Written by Carolyne Wahlen

One of our clients averted disaster recently, with just one push of a button.

They’d received a grievance letter from an employee about one of their colleagues making rude and nasty comments about them.

We held the grievance meeting, and the employee gave plenty of detail, and provided witnesses, making it a pretty cut and dried case.

So, we then invited the colleague in for a disciplinary meeting.

She came alone (no companion), and sat down with us, the business owner and his PA.

We briefed the client on what to say and he seemed to understand it – from our perspective, the meeting went exactly as it needed to.

Which is why we were rather surprised to learn that the subject of the disciplinary (the employee accused of being rude and nasty) raised her own grievance, claiming that he’d started shouting at her during the meeting, and bullying her because she was female, older and “wanted to get rid” of her.

Red flag – the mention of age and sex immediately made us worry as a discrimination claim can mean an unlimited award at tribunal against the employer.  [Read more…]

Filed Under: Discrimination, Grievance

Tales of an HR Services Consultant – Day 26: Christmas Decorations are religious discrimination!

Written by Carolyne Wahlen

Are Christmas decorations religious discrimination?

No! Don’t worry, it’s not political correctness gone mad!

Religious belief is protected by the Equality Act 2010. It doesn’t stop the display of Christmas decorations in the workplace. In fact, it doesn’t stop any traditional customs under religious discrimination.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Business, Discrimination, Grievance, Managing Employees

Disciplinaries and solicitors

Written by Carolyne Wahlen

When can they bring a solicitor to a disciplinary meeting?

When the consequences of them being dismissed would mean that they could never work in their profession again. Ever.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Business, Disciplinaries, Grievance, Managing Employees

Tales of an HR Services Expert – Day 11: Discrimination costs!

Written by Carolyne Wahlen

How much would you have to pay if you lost a discrimination case at tribunal – what is it capped at?

Bad news – it is unlimited! Which is why all those female city bankers can claim millions of pounds in compensation.

What irritates me more is when the NHS, who should know better, do the same. There was a case recently where a female surgeon from an ethnic minority successfully won her case of discrimination AND harassment against the NHS.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Annual reviews, Business, Contracts of Employment, Discrimination, Dismissal, Grievance, Managing Employees, Pregnancy and Maternity, Sickness Absence

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carolyne wahlen

About Carolyne

Carolyne has run a successful business since 2003, is a well-respected speaker, and author of all things HR. There are many, many business owners across the country who have had their very stressful employee issues magically disappear because they’ve teamed up with Carolyne and Gap HR.

Why Gap HR?

We exist to help you stay legal, compliant and profitable, without shelling out for an in-house HR manager. Over 180 clients benefit from the experience and expertise of the Gap HR team.

 

Call us on 01491 598 600

Email me on cw@gaphr.co.uk

 

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Ask a Question

  • If you are an employee and feel that you have been treated badly, then we strongly advise you to contact ACAS:

    Call the ACAS Helpline on 0300 123 1100 for free support and advice.

    Simply get in touch and they'll provide you with clear and confidential guidance about any kind of dispute or query that you have about relationship issues within the workplace.

    You may want to know about employment rights and rules, best practice or you may need advice about a dispute.

    Whatever it is, just give ACAS a call, their team are on hand to respond within the hours: Monday-Friday, 8am-8pm and Saturday, 9am-1pm.

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“We have been using Gap HR for several years now. Carolyne and her team are professional and efficient and we would not hesitate in recommending them for small businesses. It is a great relief to know we are supported by them for our HR advice and paperwork is kept up to date.”

Deb Green, Vermatech Pest Control

“I have been working with Carolyne and her team for 6 years now , when I first purchased 2Excel Logistics I found the HR scary as I wanted to do the right thing for my staff , with Gap HR on my side this all seemed easy and we have gone from 9 staff to 28 with no hassle what so ever , thank you to all at Gap HR”

Justin Wilkie, 2Excel Logistics

“So pleased to be working with Gap HR. They’ve straightened us out in no time. Their pricing is clear and they really know what they are talking about.”

Ashley Lewis, Wallingford Tiles and Bathrooms

“We are a growing company but do not have facilities in house yet for HR services in house. Gap HR is our go to service for all kinds of advice about HR for our business and we have found them very reliable, communicative and efficient. Would definitely recommend them”

Helen Gordon, Kitecreative

“Carolyne and team continue to provide great support to our business, with quick and accurate responses to help with our various HR needs.”

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“Gap HR have been at our side for a number of years now and are a great help in dealing with our HR needs”

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