Are You Looking for Mr Right*?

21 / 08 / 2019

The lack of good people hinders business growth, so a good strategy at an early stage can help you. One of my clients uses skilled machine handlers. They’re not only core to the business, they are incredibly difficult to find and there have been times when the shortage has caused some real problems. Some have been truly awful and my...

Are All Your Balls Up in the Air?

14 / 08 / 2019

Juggling too many balls? We all go through periods when we are flat out at work. For many of us being incredibly busy is a way of life and it just goes with the turf. For example, this year I have nine separate personal and work projects on the go which are additional to the day-to-day running of my HR...

Should the UK Offer 24/7 Childcare for Working Parents?

07 / 08 / 2019

Over the last couple of weeks, I have been advising a small employer how to progress a situation with a long-term employee, Sonny, who had a baby about three years ago and is struggling badly. Sonny had a pre-existing mental impairment anyway, made worse I suppose by the stress of juggling a baby, fatigue, work etc. She can’t do her...

Gone Today, Here Tomorrow?

31 / 07 / 2019

Perhaps the recent hot weather has caused some hot-headed behaviour. During July several clients have had employees storm out, muttering imprecations as they went, only to creep back a day or two later, slightly pink round the ears and start working again. If an employee sweeps out, making (often bellowing) remarks that “They’ve had enough!” or they’re “out of here!”,...

How to Create Informal Mentoring Opportunities

24 / 07 / 2019

Mentoring is a system of semi-structured guidance where one person, the mentor, shares knowledge, skills and experience to assist another (the mentee) to progress in their own lives and careers. It is an important tool that we can use to develop our team members. Although the mentoring relationship largely focuses on the mentee’s needs, both parties can benefit from the...