Author: Marie Hart

Do your managers feel confident when it comes to having one to one conversations with their teams? If not, they are definitely not alone. Research shows that around 69 percent of managers feel uncomfortable communicating with their employees, and just 6 percent feel confident having open and honest performance conversations. These one to one meetings… Continue reading How to have great 1:1 conversations at work: A guide for UK employers

Running a small business in the UK means wearing many hats, and HR often ends up being one of them. From hiring your first team member, to keeping on top of payroll, and making sure people are happy at work, it can feel overwhelming to know where to start with formal HR policies. Yet getting… Continue reading Essential HR Policies for Small Businesses in the UK

A new legal duty for all employers Since 26 October 2024, all UK employers have been under a legal duty to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment at work. This isn’t a vague recommendation or a future change to plan for, it’s already in place. If you haven’t taken those steps yet, your organisation… Continue reading New Legal Duty: Are you taking reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment at work?

Employee absence can be disruptive for any business, especially when it is unexpected and unexplained. While authorised leave such as holiday or pre-agreed time off is straightforward, unauthorised absence presents challenges for both employers and fellow employees. This guide explains what constitutes unauthorised absence, its common causes, the legal implications under UK employment law, and… Continue reading Managing unauthorised absence: A practical guide for employers

📣 Calling all “accidental HR” people In partnership with Watford & West Herts Chamber of Commerce I am launching the Herts HR Hub, a brand new monthly space for everyone who finds themselves looking after HR alongside everything else. Maybe you’re a Founder, Finance Director, PA, Office Manager, COO, or simply the person in your… Continue reading Introducing Herts HR Hub

This is a question we hear a lot working in HR. More frequently it is the manager asking: “Can I sack an employee for unauthorised absence?” The short answer: yes, you can. The longer answer: is it depends on a number of factors. Before jumping straight into dismissal, it is important to consider the following: What… Continue reading Can I be sacked for unauthorised absence?

For over 20 years, I worked in HR roles across different industries including corporate, charity, FMCG and start-up. I’ve seen the full spectrum of people challenges and I built a career supporting businesses through it all, including restructures, employee relations issues, grievances, policy changes and leadership coaching. I loved being part of a team. Knowing… Continue reading Why I started a HR Consultancy

Small businesses don’t need pages of policy or off-the-shelf templates. You need HR support that’s fast, commercial, and right-sized. Whether you’re hiring your first employee or managing a growing team, we help you put the right people practices in place, to protect your business and unlock performance. We’ve supported start-ups, charities, and scaling SMEs who… Continue reading HR services for small businesses

HR – the help desk that doesn’t call for help? Let’s be honest – HR is often the first port of call when something goes wrong, from minor grumbles to major grievances. Whether it’s coaching a struggling line manager, supporting someone through a grievance, or managing complex employee relations cases, HR professionals are there. But… Continue reading Who supports HR? Why HR supervision might be the missing piece in the people puzzle

If you work in HR, this might sound familiar Long hours. Emotional exhaustion. Feeling like the fixer for everyone else’s problems all while quietly burning out yourself. The 2025 HR Mental Wellbeing Report by Ultimate Resilience and Towergate Employee Benefits confirms what many in the profession already know: HR is struggling. This year’s findings, based… Continue reading HR on the brink: mental wellbeing in the people profession