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20th Anniversary and Festive Greetings!

On 27th November 2003, EvolutionHR came into existence. At that time, I had no thoughts or ambitions as to how long we would be going as a business, I was more interested in setting it up, how it was going to work, with whom, how it was going to be profitable and then going out and drumming up business!Niki joined me five years later and is still here putting up with me and continuing to do an amazing job!I thought it was appropriate given the 20 years, and also the time of year, to do something...

The Reward of Teaching

I’m delighted to be attending an IE Business School A&D event this evening – I will get to meet this year’s student cohort for the Master in Business for Architecture and Design, which is always interesting, exciting and a real honour.   Ten years ago, I was asked to teach the HR module for a Master’s programme with IE Business School in Madrid.  At the time, I was flattered to be asked, but had a lot of learning to do myself about the School and the prestigious nature of ...

Mental Health Awareness Week – 9-15 May 2022

Using the principle of every cloud (however dark) has a silver lining, one of the positives that has come out of the pandemic and related challenges over the past couple of years, is a heightened awareness of the importance of mental health and wellbeing.  It is difficult to imagine that anyone has sailed through the last two years completely unaffected by what has been going on and with no impact upon their mental wellbeing.  Time at home during the various lockdowns may have provided...

Supporting Ukrainian and Russian employees

The Russian invasion on Ukraine is having a devastating effect on many in the UK. Some will be Ukrainian, some will have friends and family living in the Ukraine, some will be Russian and may fear reprisals and others may be experiencing personal trauma triggered by images of war, particularly for those who have experienced war themselves.   You may be wondering how you can reach out to your staff and show your support.   A good starting point will be to email all staff, acknowled...

Coronavirus news

By 1 April 2022, the majority of government rules in relation to isolating and testing ends. It is understood that workplace guidance will not be published until 1 April. Until then, you may decide to update your current coronavirus policy with a view to perhaps amending it in line with the official guidance when it is published. You may want to consider: if you will allow those who are positive but not too unwell and those who have been in direct contact with someone who has tested positive to...

What to do About the Great Resignation

Many organisations are currently finding it difficult to attract and retain talent. Recent research from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and development (CIPD) and our own experience shows that many are experiencing stress and burnout due to work overload. The research also found that two thirds of staff would be less likely to leave their employer if they experienced good wellbeing support. So, what might this look like? Proactive support – Prevention is of course better than cure, so co...

Remembering 9/11

In my embarrassingly large photo collection in a box somewhere, there is a photo of me on the observation deck of Two World Trade Center – one of what is, or was, known as the Twin Towers. On that visit in the late 90s, who could have foreseen the tragic events of 20 years ago tomorrow, 11th September. On September 11th, 2001, I was working for the London office of Gensler, the US architecture practice. Our office of more than 300 people was made up of many nationalities, but obviously always ...

Deadline for EU, EEA or Swiss citizens to apply for settled or pre-settled status

Employers must ensure that EU, EEA or Swiss citizens can produce evidence of either settled or pre-settled status from 1 July 2021. The documents must be checked and filed as stated above. Employers cannot insist that employees produce these documents before 1 July but should advise employees that if they are unable to produce the documents and they cannot be obtained using the employer checking service, they may be dismissed following the disciplinary procedure. The employer checking service ...

Right to work in the UK checks

The temporary adjustments to the right to work check introduced on 30 March 2020, due to COVID-19, are ending on 21 June 2021. From this date, employers will once again need to check employees right to work in the UK documents (usually a passport or a visa) in person rather than digitally or via video link. As with before, the documents will need to be scanned, signed and dated and added the employee’s personnel file.  It is advisable to check documents in person for those who you have e...

Latest government advice regarding working in the office

The recent government guidance confirms that individuals should continue to "work from home if you can."  It also states that employers should facilitate working from home. It is expected that employees will be able to return to the workplace without restrictions from 21 June. Where people cannot work from home employers should allow for staggered arrival and departure times to make travel easier, and should give consideration to those at higher risk. The guidance also states that, where it...

The Power of Both Talking and Listening

I wrote this at the weekend before yesterday’s news regarding the number of deaths in the UK due to the pandemic reaching and passing 100,000. I had been hesitant to post it because it may not come across as sufficiently business focussed, but now feel that it may be even more relevant to those who are struggling with mental health issues and also bereavement. I hope so……… As we work our way through yet another lockdown, it is increasingly apparent that mental health and w...

Season's Greetings!

Every year, around this time, rather than sending Christmas cards or gifts to our clients, associates and connections, Niki and I choose a charity to donate to, on behalf of EvolutionHR. This has been a challenging year for everyone in different ways, but as the weather gets colder, the nights draw further in and the challenges remain, there are some who will be affected more than others. Whilst we appreciate that there are many charities deserving support at this time, this year, we have chosen...

SAMARITANS KICKS OFF JULY WITH ‘TALK TO US’

Samaritans has launched ‘Talk To Us’, a campaign to raise awareness of its round-the-clock emotional support services and to encourage people to get in touch if they need support. Samaritans is a registered charity whose continued work is dependent on donations.   Samaritans is a service provided by trained volunteers, available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for anyone who’s struggling to cope, who needs someone to listen without judgement or pressure.  In simple terms, w...

Mental Health Awareness Week – 18-24 May 2020

It does not really need to be reiterated that this is a time when all of us are much more conscious of our own mental health and the different challenges that we are facing.  Regardless of our personal circumstances and how some people may be better placed in comparison to others, anxiety, depression and other mental health issues can strike any of us. Here at EvolutionHR, we are encouraging everyone to reach out to at least one other person every day this week, just to talk and, in turn, l...

Let's celebrate Administrative Professionals Day!

But, nevertheless, a chance to thank those who basically hold together most offices.  Often unsung, unrecognised and not thanked sufficiently, administrative professionals are worth their weight in gold.  Whether they work on a one to one basis with an executive, or work for a team or department, those individuals or teams would not be as effective if they did not have the excellent support provided by their administrator.  Take the time to thank the administrative professionals y...

Stirling Prize

We are very proud to count Mikhail Riches amongst our clients and wish them well in the Stirling Prize - the results will be announced tomorrow evening!...

Ranking Roger RIP

I couldn’t let the week end, without saying a few words about the death of Ranking Roger of The Beat that was announced a few days ago.  As a Coventry kid, the Two Tone movement was an intrinsic part of my growing up.  I can’t do better than quote the words of Jerry Dammers of The Specials:  “If one person had to be picked to epitomise everything that was good and positive about the British ska movement and its youthful spirit, I think it would have to be Roger.  &...

10 Year Anniversary!

Recently, we were delighted to celebrate Niki being a part of evolutionhr for 10 years.  We enjoyed a Cocktail Masterclass and long lunch at the wonderful Grand Trunk Road - highly recommended, if you've never been. We've experienced a number of interesting events over the past ten years - many of which we cannot share for obvious reasons - but the road has been all the better travelled for doing it together.Without Niki's excellent work ethic, persistence, positive attitude, and going...

GDPR

GDPR Well, obviously, I couldn’t let the opportunity go by without a few words on this topic. We are bombarded by emails reminding us of the impending enforcement of the General Data Protection Regulations on Friday 25 May.  I wanted to offer some thoughts based on my personal experience. EvolutionHR held a seminar on GDPR back in September.  Here we heard from Graeme Fearon, a lawyer with an expertise in data protection, amongst other things.  He very ably and clearly talked u...

Latest Updates

Latest Updates: Changes to payments in lieu of notice on termination From 6 April, there has been a change in the way that payments in lieu of notice (PILONs) made to employees on termination of their employment should be made.   It used to be possible to categorise PILON or rely on its contractual status in such a way that it need not be taxed.  However, from now on, if notice is not worked, that part of the termination payment which reflects the basic pay for that notice period ...

Public (Bank) Holidays

Public (Bank) Holidays. A brief comment on Bank Holidays.  A friend pointed out to me that because of the way the dates fell, if your employer’s holiday year is from 1 April to 31 March, this meant that there were only 7 bank holidays in the year 2017/2018 and consequently 9 bank holidays in 2018/2019.  So what, you may say…. This is perhaps of no major concern if your usual holiday allowance is 21 days or more per year and the public holidays are paid in addition to that.&nbs...

Adverse Weather

Adverse weather How was it for you? I don’t think there are any of us who completely escaped the Beast from the East, the Pest from the West and then the other one……  Anyway, we soldiered on and were variously affected by the vagaries of the weather. Almost all companies will have experienced cases where certain individuals were unable to make it into the office or were horribly late because of their dependence on public transport or because driving conditions were too treac...

A personal story for International Women's Day

When you’re on a 13-hour flight with the prospect of a further 7-hour flight to look forward to, you need to find a variety of things to occupy yourself.  Even I can’t read solidly for 20+ hours. I peruse the inflight magazine for available entertainment and find a ‘documentary’ called What Women Want At Work.  Its description is: ‘visit the companies and public administrations where women find more egalitarian and happier work environments.’ For about an hour I was engross...

Handling Workplace Harassment

Harassment is in the spotlight again. This time in relation to the conduct of MPs. There has been speculation over improper handling of claims which has highlighted the issue of how bullying and harassment should be handled in the workplace. If harassment or bullying is reported to the employer, or if the employer suspects that harassment or bullying is taking place, it is important that it is treated seriously, not only because of potential Employment Tribunal claims, but because employers have...

The Childcare Vouchers System is Changing

In March 2016, the Government confirmed their plans for a Tax-Free Childcare scheme (TFC) to be rolled out gradually from early 2017. Tax-Free Childcare will provide working parents and now self-employed workers with another option for tax savings on their childcare direct through the Government. Until 2017, however, employer Childcare Voucher schemes remain the best way for working parents to reduce the rising cost of childcare. Many parents will not be able to claim under the new Government sc...