Acas provide suggestions for managing absences A recent YouGov survey commissioned by Acas shows that almost one in three employers are finding that stress, anxiety, depression or other mental health problems are a reason that staff give for sickness absence. The top reason for sickness is minor illnesses, such as coughs, colds and the flu. […]
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Help in checking your insurance arrangements The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has recently updated its guidance on Employers’ Liability insurance – a useful reminder of the rules and risks around a business insurance that is legally required in the UK. The guidance explains that if you employ anyone – including part-time, temporary, or even
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New guidance published by NCSC The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has published new guidance to help businesses identify and protect against the risks of holding sensitive personal information. The guidance can help you to understand what sensitive personal information is and identify any that your business holds. It also provides some principles that, if
Takeaway Points for Your Business The Chancellor unveiled her Spending Review in June setting out how government departments will allocate money over the coming years. While much of the focus was on large-scale public services like the NHS and schools, there are some important signals here for businesses to take note of – both in
Focus on Business Compliance The government has announced plans to raise an additional £7.5 billion by stepping up efforts to close the tax gap – the difference between the tax HMRC expects to collect and what is actually paid. Figures published on 19 June show that £46.8 billion in tax went unpaid in the 2023-24
Inflation Still a Concern The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decided to keep the Bank of England base rate at 4.25% following its latest review on 19 June 2025. Their decision was not a great surprise. While inflation had reduced in the earlier part of the year, the current figures show that inflationary pressures continue to
Are you ready to respond to requests? The Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023 came into force on 6 April 2025. This law provides a new leave and pay entitlement for parents with a baby in neonatal care. Depending on how long their baby is in neonatal care, parents will now have the right
As a manager, how can you become a more empathetic listener? Effective leadership in business requires more than just giving orders or making decisions. It involves understanding and connecting with employees on a deeper level, which is where empathetic listening comes into play. As a manager, developing empathetic listening skills is essential for fostering a
None of us is as smart as all of us. Way back in the 1920s the Hawthorne Studies, conducted by Elton Mayo, highlighted the importance of groups in affecting the behaviour of individuals at work. Fast forward to today and workplace design has evolved from solo workspaces and closed offices to open layouts that encourage
Modern businesses are expected to be diverse and inclusive, and managers must lead the way on this. Inclusive leadership is the combination of working inclusively towards a common goal, making decisions collaboratively, and ensuring that both managers and those being managed understand the wider framework and support structures of inclusivity in the firm. Diversity and
