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The Elephant in the Room: The Smelly Employee – Cigarettes
In my opinion, there is nothing worse than a colleague who comes into a meeting stinking of cigarettes! I remember a time when people used to smoke in offices, it was completely normal. Just like smoking on an aeroplane – smokers on the left, non-smokers on the right‼! Something my kids cannot believe was ever…
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The Elephant in the Room
This is the first in a series of blogs to mark our 14th birthday on 1st May 2021. The background to my thinking here is a little odd, but the theme of these blogs is based on ‘The Elephant in the Room’. All the things which employers do not want to talk about or deal…
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What’s The Deal With Pay Reviews?
Between COVID and Brexit, there’s been a lot of uncertainty around pay reviews this year. Many employers just don’t feel safe putting up salaries at the moment, but some are looking to see whether they can at least give a cost of living increase as we ride out the storm. The Office for National Statistics…
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When were your contracts of employment last updated?
A recent LinkedIn poll asked a very simple question, but the results were a little surprising: When were your contracts of employment last reviewed? In the last three months was a response for 20% of the respondents. While a further 32% had reviewed their contracts in the last 12 months. I was a little surprised…
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What are the Pros and Cons of a Zero Hours Contract
No guaranteed hours or fixed income A zero-hour contract is where you have no guaranteed hours or fixed income, instead work is offered as and when an employer needs you. Zero-hour workers account for less than 3 percent of total employment in the UK, and they’re most often used by sectors that require a flexible…
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You need to plan for your business until June AT THE EARLIEST
I’m sure you have seen or heard the latest announcements regarding our plans out of lockdown. Finding the key dates was not particularly easy, but then this whole situation is not particularly easy. My focus for today is what happens between now and June (what happens beyond June is another whole discussion to be saved…
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Added Value
Today is Valentine’s Day. The origins of the day vary, but it is believed that Valentine’s Day dates back to Pagen times with the holiday of Lupercalia celebrating fertility. In 3rd century AD Emperor Claudius II executed 2 men, both named Valentine on different Lupercalia holidays. They were martyred and honoured by the Catholic Church…
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Medical
Benefits are often seen by small businesses as being an expense they can’t afford and Private Medical Insurance is certainly in that bucket. But, it is a benefit which is of huge value to both the employer and their employees and really shows your staff that you care and that you value them. The waiting…
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Fit
Valentine’s Day is approaching, and we are encouraging all employers to show their staff some love. We don’t want any sexual harassment claims! We are not encouraging any inappropriate fraternisation! But we are asking employers to think about how they show their staff that they care. That they care about their physical and mental health…
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Seeds
Plants in the office Plants / flowers in hospitals Playgrounds and fields at schools Open green spaces For years, we have known about the benefits of having natural living plants around us. The joy of seeing things grow and the satisfaction of eating what we have grown. Many employers will have plants in the office…
