How to Minimise Recruitment Bias
Recruitment bias refers to when unfair or subjective factors influence hiring decisions, leading to discrimination against certain candidates. It can be conscious or unconscious and often stems from stereotypes, personal preferences or assumptions. Unconscious bias, in particular, can affect decisions without recruiters even realising it. Common forms include gender bias, age bias, racial bias and affinity […]
Performance Improvement Plan: Managers’ Guide
When an employee is underperforming at work, it can be a tricky and sensitive situation for managers to deal with. Mishandling the issue can potentially lead to complaints or even tribunal claims if the result is a capability dismissal. Putting in place a performance improvement plan (PIP) is generally recommended to help support an employee […]
Phased Return to Work: Guide for Employers
A phased return to work allows employees to gradually resume their duties after a period of absence, often following illness, injury or long-term health issues. It usually involves reducing hours, workload or responsibilities for a temporary period, giving the employee time to adjust while supporting their recovery. For UK employers, implementing a phased return requires […]
Affairs at Work: Employers’ Guide
Workplace relationships can present a number of risks for employers, from the potential for legal risk to damage to team dynamics and morale. Relationships between a manager and a direct report, for instance, can lead to accusations of favouritism or unfair treatment, particularly regarding promotions, appraisals or disciplinary actions. If the relationship ends poorly, employers […]
KIT Days: Employer Guide to Keeping In Touch Days
Employees on maternity leave have the right to take up to ten optional keeping in touch days, known as KIT days, without impacting their statutory maternity entitlements. This guide for employers details the rules on keep in touch days and how these interact with wider maternity rights. What are keeping in touch (KIT) days? […]
Direct Discrimination at Work (HR Guide)
Direct discrimination refers to when someone is treated less favourably than others because of a protected characteristic, such as age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation. Under the Equality Act 2010, direct discrimination is unlawful in employment, education and the provision of goods and services. Employers therefore have a duty to ensure […]
Redundancy Process: Step-By-Step Guide
The redundancy process is a legal framework that employers in the UK must follow when reducing their workforce due to business needs. Redundancy occurs when a role is no longer required, often due to changes in business operations, such as restructuring, closure, or technological advancements. In practice, redundancy can be one of the most stressful workplace […]
How to Conduct a Welfare Meeting
A welfare meeting is a supportive and informal discussion between an employer and an employee to address concerns about the employee’s health, wellbeing or personal circumstances, as part of an organisation’s absence management procedure. If conducted properly, the meeting should allow the employer to understand any issues affecting the employee’s work and explore matters such […]
Swearing at Work: Advice for Employers
Swearing at work refers to the use of inappropriate, offensive or profane language in the workplace. Whether or not swearing at work is acceptable will depend on the context and the employer’s expectations of its workforce. In some working environments, swearing may be commonplace and culturally accepted as part of everyday communication between colleagues. But […]
Capability Procedure for HR & Managers
A capability procedure is a formal process used by employers to address an employee’s underperformance due to a lack of skill, knowledge, or ability, rather than misconduct. It ensures that employers manage performance issues fairly, transparently and in line with employment law. However, in practice, correctly following a capability procedure can be a practical and […]