The Met Office has warned that more heatwaves could be on the way, while climate experts say hotter summers are likely to become increasingly common. The UK had already experienced three official heatwaves by mid-July and recent forecasts suggest there’s little sign of the relentless heat easing anytime soon. With extreme heat expected to become a more regular feature of our summers, this may be a challenge employers find themselves managing more often. While many of us welcome a spell of sunshine, working through days…
Most organisations would say they value their managers, but how often do they stop and consider everything managers are actually expected to do? Today's managers aren't just responsible for performance, productivity and keeping work on track like they once were. They're now also expected to support employee wellbeing, navigate conflict, manage change, spot potential misconduct, develop careers, maintain engagement and create positive team cultures. The question is whether we've quietly expanded the role without providing the support needed to succeed. From what we see on…
With the ever-increasing use of AI technology in our workplaces, there may be many differing views on what companies and their employees would consider a challenge. For example, someone who works in retail may have a very different perspective from someone working in a high-tech AI environment. That being said, AI is finding its way into almost every occupation these days. Even retail outlets are not "safe", as many point-of-sale machines (or tills, for those of you who remember that terminology!) now have some form…
The UK is in full summer mode, which means sticky commutes, packed beer gardens and the annual national debate over whether we’re actually enjoying the heatwave or simply surviving it. Love it or hate it, this is the time of year when people are more likely to be out making the most of the weather. Add the World Cup into the mix, and suddenly the pub or that 'quick one after work' can feel a lot more tempting. Which brings us to a familiar HR…
Do you employ at least 21 staff? If so, are you aware of a fundamental change in trade union access rights under the Employment Rights Act 2025? Most Moorepay clients don’t currently recognise a trade union for collective bargaining purposes (pay, and terms and conditions negotiations). You may even be aware that none of your staff are trade union members. And, until now, most unions didn’t really target small and medium size organisations. Too much effort required for strictly limited returns. Things are about to…
When people talk about progress in HR and payroll software, they often think about major releases. But for the teams running payroll every month and managing people data day to day, progress is felt in much smaller ways. It shows up when payroll runs complete without interruption. When data flows through cleanly. When small issues do not turn into time‑consuming fixes. And when teams can trust the system to behave as expected, even during the busiest periods. This is where continuous improvement matters most, addressing…
We often say in the handbook that what you do in your own time is your business. And in most cases, that’s absolutely right. But the reality is, people don’t clock in as completely separate versions of themselves. Financial worries, mental health struggles, relationship problems, alcohol misuse, online behaviour or difficult personal circumstances can, and do, begin to show up at work. That doesn’t mean every personal issue becomes an employer’s responsibility. But there does come a point where what happens outside work starts to affect someone’s role, their colleagues, your workplace or…
Most employers don’t set out with the intention of rushing someone out of the business, but it happens more often than you’d like to think. When it does, it’s usually because of an issue that’s been there for some time that hasn’t been properly managed. It might’ve been noticed or discussed but not properly dealt with and is consequently left to fester. Eventually though, the employer's patience runs out and a quick exit feels like the only option. By that stage, it’s obvious what the core problem is. The difficulty is showing what’s been done about it, and whether anything has been handled in a way that actually supports the decision being made. And quite often that’s where things fall short. Not every quick exit is a problem To be…
When workplace complaints become formal, it’s easy to assume something clear-cut has gone wrong. Sometimes, it has. But in employee relations the reality is often much more nuanced than that. We do see formal complaints and claims, but there’s usually a lot of what I call 'rumblings' happening before things reach that stage. And quite often, those rumblings come from misunderstandings, poor communication or processes that haven’t been properly explained. That doesn’t mean employers can ignore them. In fact, it’s usually the opposite. Problems that…
We sat down with Elaine Pritchard, one of our expert policy consultants here at Moorepay, to talk about her experience managing people as a small business owner. From hiring challenges to difficult conversations, her experience of running her own bridal shop – alongside a career in HR – offers a candid look at the realities many small business owners face. Having been directly responsible for both people and the performance of a business, Elaine brings a unique perspective shaped by experience on both sides –…
