Kate Palmer

When it comes to annual leave, there are two types of people: those who plan their time off meticulously and make the most of their paid time off, and those who don’t.

Even in scenarios where making redundancies seems the only logical reason, an employer must follow a robust and fair process to avoid the risk of claims.

Paying staff correctly is fundamental in ensuring a positive company culture, and protecting motivation, productivity and retention levels across the workforce.

HR’s role is much more multifaceted than many assume and extends to some bizarre disputes.

In July the newly proposed Bullying and Respect at Work Bill had its first formal reading in the House of Commons.

When considering a dress code, most employers look to set one that is relative to the degree of professionalism required for their workplace. This obviously will vary from industry to industry. Some employees, however, argue that dress codes go too far and stifle their individuality.We saw this recently when receptionist Emily Benschter was asked to wear a wig to conceal her pink hair, in line with her employer’s natural hair rule.

Rough sleeping isn’t the only form of homelessness and, in today’s economic climate, it is a real possibility that employers could be faced with an employee at risk of homelessness. The Homelessness Covenant was launched to help employers support those facing homelessness. By educating themselves on the topic and how business plays a part, employers can ensure their employees feel protected and cared for.

HRZone is an online human resources publication helping global HR professionals adapt to the ever-shifting demands of a rapidly-changing world.

Are ‘love’ and ‘mate’ appropriate in the workplace? - HRZone

Kate Palmer covers some of the big changes coming to employment law in 2024.