You have just recruited a new member of staff. They look great on paper and impressed at interview, but how do you really know if they are the right fit for your business?​  The honest answer is that you do not. Not yet.​  That uncertainty is exactly why probationary periods exist. They give both the employer and the employee time to assess whether the role, expectations and working relationship are right before employment becomes firmly established.​  With upcoming changes t

Can employees take time off work for snow days?

Many UK small businesses rely on freelancers, but the line between self employed and employed can be unclear. Misclassifying someone who works more like an employee can lead to tribunal claims, backdated holiday pay and unexpected tax bills. The safest approach is to understand how HMRC decides status and put a clear Contract for Services in place that reflects how you actually work together.

Flexible working is now a business necessity in the UK. Presenteeism, where long hours equal loyalty, is outdated. The law changed in 2024 and every employee can request flexibility from day one. This article explains the new rules and shows small businesses how to move from clock-watching to outcome-focused working. A trust-first culture boosts productivity, retention and compliance.

When it comes to team building, not every game is a good idea. Inspired by The Traitors, one office’s experiment with deception ended in stress and mistrust rather than fun. HR expert Kate Bennett of The HR Hero explains why honesty and psychological safety are the foundations of healthy workplace culture and how games that blur truth and trust can quickly turn from bonding exercises into HR nightmares.