Discover the key October 2026 employment law changes for UK employers, including Tribunal time limits, sexual harassment duties, third-party harassment and trade union rights.
Do I Need an HR Manager or Outsourced HR? As businesses grow, there tends to come a point where managing people...
But What Does It Actually Mean? If you've spent any time around business owners, leadership teams or HR professionals...
Over the past few years we’ve seen significant changes in employment law, increased focus on employee wellbeing, growing expectations around flexible working and more responsibility being placed on employers. With further changes on the horizon, many business owners are asking themselves the same question:
Do we need more HR support?
By the time many businesses reach out for HR support, the employee issue they are dealing with is rarely the real...
What happens when an employee breaches company policy, not out of carelessness, but because they genuinely believe they are doing the right thing?
People management carries a level of responsibility that is rarely spoken about openly. Behind closed doors many capable leaders spend time replaying conversations in their minds, wondering whether they handled something correctly or whether there was a better way they could have approached a situation.
Why Strategic HR Support Matters Before Things Go Wrong There is a version of leadership that people see....
When people think about HR, they often think about policies, procedures and employment law. Those things matter. They...
Most people start January thinking about fresh starts and healthier habits. Meanwhile, at Pink Fluff HR, we begin the year the same way we always do. With a strong cup of tea, the dog under the desk and the gentle realisation that we have chosen to run a business together as husband and wife.
The getting your people (and your plan) ready for 2026 HR Consultancy.
December is one of those months where everyone’s talking about next year. Sales targets. Growth projections. Budgets. Maybe even a new office coffee machine.
But here’s the question most business owners forget to ask until about mid-January…
Who’s actually going to deliver all of this?
Because while the spreadsheets and forecasts might look ambitious and exciting, none of it happens without people. And if those people aren’t motivated, supported, or even still there come spring, those plans can unravel fast.
So, before you start finalising those 2026 business goals, it’s time to zoom out and look at your people strategy first.
The ‘Pink and Fluffy’ Myth: Why the Soft Stuff Is Actually the Hard Stuff When people hear the words 'Pink Fluff HR',...
Neurodiversity isn’t a buzzword. It reflects a vital truth about how people think, process and interact with the world differently. But there’s a growing call to move beyond awareness and take real action. That’s where neuroinclusion comes in.
Put simply, neuroinclusion means creating an environment where neurodivergent individuals feel they belong and can thrive – not just survive. And when businesses get this right, the benefits are felt across the board.
Discover how proactive HR planning during summer can boost performance, support working parents and prevent burnout. Practical advice for growing UK businesses.
Difficult conversations are part of running a business. Whether you’re managing a team,
leading a business or supporting others, at some point, you’ll need to have *that* talk. It
might be about underperformance, behaviour or a personal matter that’s affecting work.
These chats can feel uncomfortable, emotional and risky – but avoiding them nearly always
makes things worse.
Human Resources isn’t just for big corporations. Even small businesses need HR to manage their people. HR ensures your team is supported, motivated and working within the law. Here are some key reasons why HR is essential and why small businesses should outsource their HR.
This note addresses some of the highlights, and I’m only going to talk about individual employment rights. We don’t know the commencement date for any of this new legislation. The BBC said that it’s likely to be October 2026 – that’s two full years away .
Today (10 October) ministers have unveiled the Employment Rights Bill, introduced within 100 days of the new government coming to office. The new bill will effect workers and businesses across the UK when it comes into law.
What are the implications for business? Labour has set out their intentions for change in their 'Plan to Make Work...
New Employment Legislation becomes effective from 6th April 2024.
Now is the time to review your employment contracts, policies or handbooks to make sure you as an employer stay the right side of the law.
Managing employee absence is crucial for business owners to maintain smooth operations and ensure uninterrupted productivity.
By proactively addressing and planning for absences, businesses can minimise disruptions and maintain a consistent productivity.
In today’s dynamic workplace, the onboarding process is more than just paperwork and introductions. It’s the foundation for a successful employee experience.
Running a business in the United Kingdom comes with a set of responsibilities and legal obligations that extend beyond the core operations. One critical aspect that demands attention from business owners is the establishment of robust employment contracts and a comprehensive set of key employment policies. In this blog, we’ll delve into the reasons why these documents are crucial for the success, compliance, and overall well-being of businesses in the UK.
After announcing proposals to make changes to paternity leave rights in summer 2023, the government has now published...
Difficult conversations can be challenging, but they’re important for maintaining a healthy and productive workplace. By following the tips above, you can effectively manage difficult conversations with employees and achieve positive outcomes.
Back to the office! A brilliant podcast to listen to on BBC Sounds: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001qtrz The...
In today’s rapidly changing world, it’s more important than ever to continue learning and growing. The skills and knowledge that we need to succeed in our careers and in our personal lives are constantly evolving. If we don’t stay up-to-date, we’ll be left behind.
If you’re a business owner who is feeling burned out, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Pink Fluff HR Consultancy can help you to achieve that much needed holiday, which will help you to disconnect from work and recharge.
Imagine a machine that can do everything you need it to do. It’s fast, efficient, and never makes mistakes. But what...
Many workers in Britain have now had almost six months without alarm clocks and commuting.
Gross misconduct is a serious breach of an employee’s contract of employment. It can include acts such as theft, violence, fraud, and gross negligence. When an employee commits an act of gross misconduct, an employer has the right to dismiss them without notice. However, this does not mean that an employer always has to dismiss an employee for gross misconduct.
We totally get it: if your employees are performing well, hitting deadlines and meeting targets, you may think ‘what’s the problem?’.
But, are your employees actually engaged with the work they’re doing? Are they on board with the company’s vision and your leadership? Are they passionate about their role and would they be happy to go the extra mile for the business?
What does a disciplinary involve and what’s the usual procedure? We cover what SMEs need to know about disciplinary meetings.
What is a disciplinary?
A disciplinary is part of the process when a company wants to address an employee’s behaviour. Their manager may be concerned about their work, their general conduct or an unauthorised absence.
The word “disciplinary” typically refers to the hearing itself. This is the meeting at which both sides present their cases about the matter, but it is only a part of the whole disciplinary procedure.
England, Scotland, and Wales have announced that international travel is permitted as of 17 May 2021 under a traffic light system.
So far, there are only 12 countries on the green list and 43 countries on the red list with most countries on the amber list. If organisations are getting requests from an employee who wishes to travel to an amber list country, they should be aware that to do so would not be considered illegal, however, their employee should be prepared to adhere to the rules that come with visiting these countries.
Leading a performance appraisal with an employee that is generally performing well can seem like a relatively straightforward task.
It’s still important for that meeting to be well structured, productive and useful for the employee.
Therefore, as a manager or employer, it is down to you to ensure that the performance appraisals that you are conducting are as effective, and valuable, as possible.
Here are six tips on how to conduct an effective performance appraisal.
For most parents, the option of taking extended time away from employment in order to raise a family is not affordable. Although employers may wish to have staff with no outside distractions, the fact is that most workplaces have a considerable number of employees, who are also parents.
As the situation in Ukraine continues, this is going to be an extremely difficult time for some employees who are personally affected by the events reported over the last few days, and for employees who may be concerned about the implications from a wider perspective.
What is a contract of employment?
If you think a contract of employment is just another bit of box ticking and no one ever looks at them, think again. Whilst you don’t need to have one in writing it certainly helps to clarify things, especially if there is a dispute down the line.
A contract of employment exists between employer and employee and forms the basis of the employment relationship. Generally speaking, it will cover things such as hours to be worked, scope of the job, holiday entitlement, sick pay, benefits and an employee’s duties and responsibilities.
A contract, whether written down or not, comes into force as soon as the employee accepts their job offer.
No one enjoys being sick, but we’re human, and it happens. Sometimes it means we’re not fit enough to work and need to take some time off. The last thing anyone needs is to be worrying about returning to work, or how to properly support an employee who has been unwell and is ready to resume their duties.
The following are out top four services that we provide (we offer lots more): Please see our short explainer videos on the homepage for further details.
Running a business can prove to be very difficult especially when dealing with the employees and the range of regulations.. Many businesses in the Southbourne area find it easier to outsource their HR functions rather than employing in-house professionals. Outsourcing human resources is time-saving and makes efficient use of your time and money. Have you got an HR problem – give Pink Fluff HR a call on 01202 497 522 or use our contact page.
Pink Fluff HR consultants in Boscombe provide outsourced HR consultancy services to local businesses. Get in touch with us to discuss your requirements call us on 01202 497 522
Not every business is able to employ a Human Resource officer, especially the small startups. This is due to the lack of main resources to keep up with the department. However, small businesses can still be able to access human resource services. By working with a Human Resource consultancy firm like Pink Fluff, you can choose to either bring them on board on a contract basis or pay for the services per hour. This will help your company get professional expertise while cutting some costs. Below are some of the benefits that come with working with a HR Consultant…
Every business requires human resources to recruit employees, track payroll, and oversee conflicts, among other functions. Most businesses in New Forest find it cheaper to outsource HR their HR functions rather than having in-house professionals. Outsourcing human resources is also time-saving and efficient. The primary role of these professionals is to solve different human resource-related problems. Generally, businesses outsource HR consultancy due to a lack of the required HR expertise and support system and getting new solutions or perspectives on various challenges. There are many benefits of hiring New Forest HR consultants for your business, as explained below:
Pink Fluff HR is a professional HR consultancy based in Bournemouth and the Poole/Christchurch area. We provide business support via our experienced and qualified team ranging from training and coaching to projects and recruitment and all aspects of employment law. With over 20 years of HR experience we are confident that we can help your business grow.
Losing the trust of an employee can affect more than just the relationship between that particular person and the business. It can also have a damaging impact upon the wider organisation.
Learn about some common pitfalls of implementing a flexible working policy in your small business and where you can go to get expert help.
Last night’s celebrations at the progression of the England football team into the final of UEFA EURO 2020 will be nothing compared to the inevitable hysteria amongst the nation if the team are able to bring home the trophy on Sunday evening.
The much-anticipated UEFA European Football Championship was first scheduled to go ahead in 2020 but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. It is now due to resume on 11 June 2021 until 11 July 2021 but what are some of the HR issues that may arise?
As Prince Philip’s funeral is due to take place in the afternoon on Saturday 17 April, we take a look at how...
What is hybrid working?
Hybrid working is where staff conduct a mixture of working from home and from the office. Whilst it is not a new concept, as the option to work from home through flexible working existed prior to the pandemic, it is something that has become much more popular in recent times. Staff that have successfully worked from home during the last 12 months may want to continue doing so going forward and respond poorly to a full-time return to the workplace. Hybrid working could therefore be a compromise for this, permitting staff to work from home whilst also maintaining a degree of office attendance.
Monday 12 April 2021 signifies the beginning of Ramadan, the holy month of the Islamic calendar in which Muslims often commit to a period of fasting during day light hours.
Due to the reintroduction of lockdowns across Britain, shielding returned in England, Scotland and Wales. However, it has now been confirmed that it will once again be paused in the coming weeks.
On 28 March 2021, the Government announced that its COVID-19 rapid testing programme would be extended to allow more businesses make use of it if their employees cannot work from home.
The rapid testing programme is a government initiative introduced to curb the spread of COVID-19 within businesses. It is conducted using lateral flow tests, through which a positive test result can be seen within 30 minutes.
While many office-based workplaces have successfully adapted to home working during the pandemic, this has not always been possible and some organisations have expressed a desire for their staff to be vaccinated as a workplace requirement.
The much-anticipated Supreme Court ruling on Uber’s employment status case has been published, with judgement falling in favour of the drivers. The full judgement is available at https://www.supremecourt.uk/cases/docs/uksc-2019-0029-judgment.pdf.
The Supreme Court’s ruling upholds that of the lower courts’ as it unanimously dismissed Uber’s appeal. The appeal concerned the employment status of private hire vehicle (PHV) drivers who provide their services through the Uber smartphone application (the Uber app).
As the ‘most depressing day of the year’ dawns organisations should be prepared to explore ways that can encourage more positivity and productivity.
With coronavirus restrictions set to remain in place across the UK for Christmas, many of our usual Christmas festivities may need to be changed, or cancelled completely, this year.
After several emergency speeches to Parliament during the first stages of the pandemic, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has returned to the House of Commons for a scheduled event – the Spending Review – which is nevertheless heavily influenced by COVID-19.
In a speech to the House of Commons, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced a new scheme that is set to replace the Job Retention Scheme as we head into the winter months.
What is Homeworking?
Homeworking is when a member of staff is allowed to conduct their daily duties from home on an occasional, temporary or permanent basis. In its simplest terms, it means that employees work from home with the same contractual obligations, such as core working hours, pay and adherence to usual company policy.
Since pupils of all ages and year groups have been allowed to return to school, the next question many organisations may face is what to do if their employee’s children are sent home to self-isolate.
Schools may now be reopening across the country, but all face the ever-present danger of COVID-19. Current rules stipulate that children may be told to self-isolate if someone in their year group has tested positive for the virus, for a period of 14 days. Depending on the age of the child, this may cause problems for some employees who need to facilitate urgent childcare.
Employees and management, especially those that have worked throughout the coronavirus pandemic, may be suffering from the adverse effects of burnout.
The term ‘burnout’ has become more prevalent in recent times as organisations struggle to manage the impact increasing workplace demands have on employees’ mental health. This has only become more apparent during 2020, when many employees may have faced increased workloads, uncertainty and general pressure due to the outbreak of COVID-19.
The DWP has conceded that it was wrong to advise a hair salon to take down a job description which required recruits to be ‘happy’.
The situation arose when Alison Birch, the owner of a unisex hair salon, advertised for a new staff member through the Find a Job service, a website for the advertising of new roles. The advert was asking for a part-time hairdresser who was expected to be fully qualified, have previous experience working in a salon and, crucially, that only ‘happy, friendly’ stylists should apply.
HMRC are now writing to organisations regarding potential furlough calculation discrepancies, whilst in France face masks are now compulsory in the workplace.
A £20 million pound investment, two leadership programmes, and a focus on growth, the Government’s plan to help small organisations in the wake of coronavirus was launched on 3 August.
Employers will once again have to re-think their working arrangements due to the increase in the current self-isolation period across the UK.
The latest update to the travel corridor exemption rules has left organisations with yet another self-isolation headache.
On Friday 3 July, the government released a full list of countries from which travellers do not need to quarantine for 14 days upon re-entry into England.
Work Furlough: Our Flexible Furlough Q&A | Pink Fluff HR
On 12 June, the Government released further guidance on how the flexible furlough scheme will operate from 1 July 2020.
Redundancies have certain rules, which is why it’s important to understand the cogs of the process.
That’s why we’re looking into length of the redundancy consultation period for UK employees. As it stands, this varies depending on the number of redundancies you have to make.
The school reopening plans have been abandoned by the government leaving many businesses with HR issues to consider. We explore the options for employers.
Whilst the coronavirus is set to be around for some time, the financial assistance currently provided by the government, in the form of the Job Retention Scheme, will be reduced in the coming months.
Small businesses remain under enormous pressure as they do everything they can to weather the current COVID-19 storm and remain solvent in uniquely challenging circumstances.
The UK Government has extended the Job Retention Scheme until the end of June 2020
Thursday 23 April 2020 signifies the beginning of Ramadan, the holy month of the Islamic calendar in which Muslims often commit to a period of fasting during daylight hours.
With Easter Weekend falling at the end of the week, organisations may be wondering how furlough may impact upon employee rights to take annual leave.
Steve Easterbrook, chief executive of the fast food chain McDonald’s, has been removed from his position after discovery of his romantic relationship with an employee.
Christmas is just around the corner and many organisations will likely be planning the annual Christmas party. However, they may not be thinking about the dangers of employee misconduct.
Albert Einstein knew it, David Beckham is famous for it and Hillary Clinton used it in bucketloads. We’re talking about growth mindsets.
Have you lost focus? Are you just making it through each day with your mind elsewhere and little motivation for the task in hand? Do days pass you by in a blur?
We all know that “duvet day” feeling. It’s when you just can’t seem to garner the motivation to get going and would prefer to shut off the alarm, turn over and go back to sleep.
“If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.” Believing this has probably saved many a company – maybe yours – from endless, unnecessary reorganisations. We think there’s a better way. Let’s rewrite the rules and welcome business agility into our organisational strategy.
You know what it’s like when you are short-staffed. Everyone is running around trying to meet their deadlines but getting stressed and frazzled about it.
Put simply, mindfulness is meditation. It’s an ancient Buddhist practice which is about paying attention in a particular way, in the present moment, on purpose and non-judgmentally.
Whether you work for a business or you own one, it’s more than likely that you’ve groaned at the mention of ‘health and safety’ at least once in the past.
Your people are your greatest resource and assets. One way to be sure your business will succeed is to look after your employees. Treat your people fairly, manage them well, provide them with opportunities and they will help you to achieve your ideas and ace your business plan. Treat employees badly or with mediocrity and they will underperform or leave.
Whether you like it or not, your employees talk – over dinner, down the pub, at the gym, at the school gates – that collective word of mouth can have a huge impact on your company reputation and bottom line. Here are 5 ways to encourage employees to shout out.
Mental health problems affect one in six workers in the UK every year according to charity Mind, and the cost to the UK economy is somewhere between £74 billion and £99 billion a year. So, it comes as no surprise that increasing numbers of employers are looking at their role in staff wellbeing and introducing mental health training.
Ramadan is the holiest month of the Islamic calendar and Muslims believe that during this month the Qu’ran was revealed to the prophet Mohammed.
As the pressures and expectations on workers increase, so do the responsibilities of the organisation. Choice is everywhere and competition is fierce. Recruitment is no different. So what steps can you take to make them want to work for you?
Having a good company culture is absolutely crucial to employee retention, productivity and ultimately business success.
Company culture is a common buzzword in the business world of late, and its importance is being increasingly emphasised.
When you take on any employees whether temporary or permanent, full- or part-time, it’s a good idea to have some form of written agreement in place that lays out everyone’s role, rights and responsibilities. Not only does this offer clarity and protection for your employees but it offers the same for your business. This is especially important should a dispute arise further down the line.
As a business grows, so too does the importance of implementing an effective performance review process.
One of your biggest responsibilities as an employer within a business is to take care of the welfare of your staff. This means taking care of employees with pre-existing health issues and disabilities as well as doing what you can to prevent new ones. If you don’t, you’ll soon face the consequences: your staff will be unhappy, unmotivated and disloyal to the business, resulting in nothing less than low staff retention rates and suffering productivity levels.