Over the last 40 years we have seen a continual increase in the percentage of women in employment. This achievement is, in part, thanks to societal and government led campaigns and initiatives to get women back into the workplace after having children.   However, this increase, twinned with the fact that we are an ageing population and working much later in life, creates some interesting challenges around women’s health and wellbeing in the workplace.   It’s no secret that women experience some rather complex life transitional stages, namely menstrual health, fertility ..read more

While your employees should have a good sense of your organisation’s values and mission statement, it doesn’t hurt to reinforce them. This is the fundamental value of an employee handbook: it ensures your members of staff are fully aware of their rights and responsibilities in the workplace, and of what your company stands for. This should not only reduce the likelihood of a dispute, but also ensure that your HR practices are consistent, and foster a more harmonious and productive environment.  While the creation of a formal staff handbook is not a legal requirement in the UK, it can be a ..read more

Throughout history, there are many examples of machinery, technology and innovation that have dramatically changed our working world. Take, for example, the invention of the Spinning Jenny in 1764. This marvel of the Industrial Revolution transformed the textile industry by allowing a single operator to manage multiple spindles simultaneously, vastly increasing yarn production and altering the way we worked with textiles.  Of course, while the benefits were enjoyed by factory owners, the workers often found themselves competing with a machine that was far more efficient than they were, ca ..read more

Similar to a playbook belonging to a sports team, an employee code of conduct policy sits within your wider employee handbook and outlines expectations placed on workers to ensure that they are collectively contributing towards a common goal. Whereas that sports team’s goal might be to win the match, the ones belonging to your organisation are more likely to relate to nurturing a positive working environment and maximising overall productivity. Within the policy document, you will find guidance relating to several human resources topics such as social media usage, health and safety, and what t ..read more

The non-profit organisation Mind published a concerning statistic that one in four of us experience a mental health problem of some kind every year. Whether that’s depression, anxiety, an eating disorder, PTSD or another psychological ailment, the impacts on our personal and professional lives are wide-reaching and cannot be ignored.  A mental health condition might, for example, cause us to feel unhappy, tired, irritable, unable to concentrate and unwilling to face the world. Those things can strain our relationships, and the quality of our work is likely to suffer too. Moreover, mental ..read more

Mediation involves a neutral, independent third party – a mediator – whose role is to help both parties to reach a solution to their problem and to arrive at a mutually agreeable resolution. It can be a very effective way to resolve workplace disputes and that’s why we already offer mediation services at Loch Associates Group. Due to the success of mediation in resolving disputes without the need to end up in legal proceedings, the Ministry of Justice wants to make mediation compulsory for all small claims up to £10,000 and is implementing what it calls integrated mediation from Spring 2024 ..read more

In recent years, the workplace has become increasingly diverse in many areas, including health. As a result, it’s more important than ever before that employers understand their legal obligations and considerations when it comes to accommodating and supporting their staff in the workplace. Here we consider some of the more common disabilities that employers could encounter:   Diabetes Diabetes is a chronic medical condition that affects how the body processes glucose, leading to elevated blood sugar levels. Diabetes can onset at any stage during a person’s life with symptoms including fe ..read more

In what appears to be a growing trend, employees in the US have been recording themselves being laid-off over video calls. These videos are then posted on social media platforms, drawing attention to the poor treatment of staff and the badly handled situations in large and well-known organisations.   An American Web Company One of the latest companies featured in these viral videos was Cloudflare, an American web company, who were planning to dismiss multiple staff members. Having heard about what would happen in advance, Brittany Pietsch, who had worked for the company for only four mon ..read more

Apprenticeships are experiencing an increase in popularity as an effective pathway to professional development and skill acquisition. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s recent Autumn Statement announced the government’s plans to inject £50 million into a two-year pilot scheme with the aim of boosting apprenticeship training in sectors which contribute to economic growth. With the first ever NHS doctor apprenticeship commencing in September 2024, apprenticeships are transforming the modern workplace, combatting barriers to entry in traditionally exclusive industries, and creating accessible pathways for ..read more

Taking action based on allegations of employee misconduct, harassment, bullying, or unsafe business practices can be fraught with risk. Without a comprehensive understanding of the situation, it’s akin to navigating treacherous waters blindfolded. Failing to establish what happened, who is a credible witness, who was responsible, and whether taking further action is appropriate can result in serious repercussions for your organisation. This can potentially lead to costly legal claims, damaged relationships, decreased employee morale, and a tarnished public image. Hasty, ill-informed actions ca ..read more