With 2024 around the corner, it is important to think about how you can enhance the capabilities of your line managers and consider what you should be focussing on in the year ahead. Here are a few suggestions. Diversity, equality and inclusion The Equality Act 2010 outlines that organisations and their employees cannot discriminate against anyone based upon their age, gender reassignment, disability, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, marriage or civil partnership, and sexual orientation. This act is not just about work life –…
Over the last few years organisations have been heavily influenced by external factors on the way they manage their people. In 2024 these social, political, economic, technological, and legal factors will continue to have an influence. Organisations and its people will be impacted by the upcoming election, inflation, the continued cost of living crisis and international instability, just to name a few,. But a main focus for workplaces is the driving force of employee expectations which seems to have shifted greatly since Covid. As 2024…
It’s a well-known fact that many romantic relationships start at work, with some leading to long-term relationships and marriage. We're now starting the new year, and you may find that colleagues become closer and romantic relationships may follow. If this were to happen, would you expect the colleagues involved to tell you or your HR department? Following the recent departure of Philip Schofield from ITV, apparently ITV has issued new rules on relationships. However, according to the Sunday Times, their new rules go beyond romantic…
It’s official. December is upon us, and we’ve (almost) made it to the end of the year. And what a year it’s been. Between an acquisition, sparkly new features and exciting enhancements, our product team have barely had time for a mince pie. Here's a little reminder of our best bits. One HCM & payroll platform (in a pear tree) Anyone who’s anyone knows we had some pretty big news in March of this year. We brought together the best in payroll, with the best…
Recent Office for National Statistics figures have shown that the number of over 50s working part-time has reached a record high. People are working longer and employers need to change any outdated views on work and retirement. Offering part-time and flexible work can ensure you recruit and retain workers that currently make up one third of the UK’s workforce. The statistics were analysed by Rest Less who are a digital community for the over 50s. They found that 42% of part-time workers in the UK…
An employer’s responsibilities, work events vs post-party events, handling alcohol and drugs, approaching flirting and flings etc. It’s that time of the year, festivities are in gear and most employers are readying up to host a Christmas party for their employees. This can range from a small social gathering in the pub after work at the end of a stressful day, to the full-blown Christmas party where the alcohol flows freely all night. A NerdWallet survey, which included 500 U.K. business owners and managers, found that 36% of businesses…
There has been a dramatic increase in disability discrimination claims from neurodivergent employees reaching tribunals. Often the dispute has arisen when neurodivergent employees feel that their performance or behaviour in the workplace is being unfairly rated for reasons that relate to their condition. This highlights the need for employers to gain further awareness and understanding of such conditions and how they can ensure they are treating neurodivergent colleagues not only lawfully and fairly, but they are creating an environment that allows those employees to thrive.…
Usually there are ten bank holidays (or public holidays) for people living in Northern Ireland per year. Northern Ireland has the most bank holidays in the UK with ten days a year, which is more than Scotland (nine), and England and Wales (eight). Bank holidays in Northern Ireland 2024 [table id=151 /] What is the statutory holiday allowance in Northern Ireland, including bank holidays? No matter where your employees live in the UK, the statutory minimum amount of holiday days a full-time employee should receive…
There are nine bank holidays for people living in Scotland per year. If your employees live in Scotland, they'll normally get nine bank holidays a year, whereas England and Wales get eight and Northern Ireland gets ten. Bank holidays in Scotland in 2024 There are nine bank holidays in Scotland in 2024. These are: [table id=152 /] How does this impact annual leave? As a statutory minimum amount, full-time employee should receive 28 days holiday a year. This includes the nine bank holidays (also known…
How many holidays are there in a year? For people living in England and Wales, generally there are eight bank holidays (or public holidays) per calendar year. In a usual calendar year, there are eight days counted as a bank holiday in England and Wales, which many members of the public receive as days off work. England and Wales share the same bank holidays, which are slightly different to what Scotland and Northern Ireland receive. We've seen some changes in this recently of course. The…