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? read article

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.  read article

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. read article

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. read article

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. read article

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. read article

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. read article