Blog

Retained HR vs Pay As You Go HR: Which Model Is Right for Your Business?

Aug 11, 2026

Retained HR gives you ongoing support for a fixed monthly fee, best if you deal...

Do I Need HR Support as a Small Business? What UK Employers Must Have by Law

Aug 11, 2026

Yes. If you employ even one person, UK employment law already applies to you. From...

Why Is Staff Retention a Growing Challenge for UK Employers?

Jul 24, 2026

Staff retention is becoming a significant challenge for UK employers, with rising turnover rates affecting...

Why Is Tailored HR Project Support Essential for Growing UK Businesses?

Jul 16, 2026

When a business starts to grow, the people's challenges grow with it. More employees mean...

Why Are Risk Assessment Services Essential for UK Businesses?

Jul 13, 2026

Workplace safety is not optional. It sits at the heart of every employer's legal and...

How Can Professional Risk Assessment Services Reduce Workplace Incidents?

Jun 18, 2026

Workplace incidents can lead to injury, lost productivity, reputational damage, and costly legal action. UK...

Do Small Businesses Really Need Formal Employment Contracts?

May 27, 2026

Running a small business comes with enough on your plate. Between managing customers, chasing invoices,...

Why Is Professional Restructure Management Essential for UK Employers?

May 27, 2026

Reorganising a business is rarely a comfortable conversation. Whether you are responding to rising costs,...

How Can Workplace Mediation Improve Employee Relations and Morale?

May 8, 2026

Workplace conflict is more common than many organisations realise. A recent survey by Acas found...

Why Is Professional TUPE Management Essential for UK Businesses?

May 5, 2026

TUPE transfers can be complex, time-sensitive, and high-risk for UK businesses. Whether you are outsourcing...

How Has Recruitment Changed in the UK Labour Market?

Apr 9, 2026

Recruitment in the UK has changed significantly over the past few years, driven by skills...

How Do Effective HR Processes Improve Employee Performance and Retention?

Apr 7, 2026

Employee performance and retention are closely linked to the strength of a company’s HR processes....

What Happens If Your Company Policies Are Missing or Non-Compliant?

Feb 26, 2026

Company policies are more than just internal documents; they act as essential tools that protect...

How Do Employment Tribunals Work and When Should You Consider One?

Feb 26, 2026

Employment disputes can escalate quickly, and when internal processes fail, an employment tribunal may become...

How Can an HR Consultancy Improve Your Workplace?

Jan 30, 2026

Managing people effectively is one of the most important responsibilities in any organisation. For small...

How Can You Reduce Staff Turnover Through Better HR Practices?

Jan 15, 2026

The Real Cost of Losing Good People When a skilled team member hands in their...

How Should You Handle a TUPE Transfer for Your Staff?

Jan 1, 2026

TUPE transfers can feel like unfamiliar territory. There’s law, liability, paperwork and people. Get it...

What Happens During an Employment Tribunal?

Dec 8, 2025

Most employees and employers never expect to end up at an Employment Tribunal until they...

What Leadership Skills Are Crucial for Managers in 2025?

Dec 8, 2025

The Problem Most Managers Are Facing Management in 2025 looks very different from even just...

How Can HR Services Help Small to Medium Enterprises?

Oct 21, 2025

Running a small to medium enterprise in the UK comes with its fair share of...

What Are the Benefits of Mediation at Work vs. Formal Grievances?

Oct 20, 2025

You’re Trying to Keep the Peace — But Conflict Is Slowing You Down It could...

What Are the Key Steps in a Company Restructure Plan?

Sep 23, 2025

Restructuring a company isn’t just about reshuffling job titles or reducing costs. Done right, it’s...

How Can Risk Assessment Services Prevent Workplace Accidents?

Sep 22, 2025

Accidents at work don’t just impact individual staff — they disrupt business, affect morale and...

What Can HR Advice and Support With?

Sep 10, 2025

The world of UK business is evolving fast. From technological advancements like AI to shifting...

How Do I Legally Sack an Employee in the UK?

Sep 8, 2025

Let’s be honest. sacking an employee is one of the toughest jobs an employer has...

What Services Do HR Consultants Provide?

Sep 5, 2025

Running a business means juggling countless priorities: finance, operations, customer service, and growth. But one...

What is the Benefit of an Employment Contract in the UK?

Aug 25, 2025

Employment contracts do more than tick a legal box. They shape the entire employment relationship....

What are the Types of Employment Contracts in the UK?

Aug 22, 2025

In the UK, contracts of employment are more than just formalities. They are legally binding...

What Are The Different Types Of Employment Contracts, And Which One Should I Use?

Aug 21, 2025

When hiring or being hired in the UK, choosing the right employment contract is key...

Disciplinary Procedures in the UK: Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Aug 20, 2025

Disciplinary procedures are essential to maintaining standards, ensuring fairness and protecting both businesses and employees....

The Future of Work: Adapting to Remote and Hybrid Models with HR Consultancy

Aug 19, 2025

The way we work has changed permanently. What was once considered temporary during global disruptions...

How Can Risk Assessment Services Help Improve Workplace Safety?

Jul 25, 2025

Ensuring a safe and compliant working environment isn’t just a legal obligation, it's part of...

When Should You Initiate a Disciplinary Process?

Jul 24, 2025

Managing employee conduct is part of running a successful business but when performance issues, misconduct...

How Can Recruitment Practices Contribute to Higher Employee Engagement and Retention?

Jul 23, 2025

Recruitment is often seen as a process for filling vacancies. But done well, it plays...

Why Is Mediation Becoming a Preferred Choice for Resolving Workplace Conflicts?

Jun 24, 2025

Workplace conflict is an unavoidable reality. Whether it stems from miscommunication, personality clashes or disagreements...

How Can I Prepare My Business for an Employment Tribunal?

May 18, 2025

Employment disputes can lead to Employment Tribunal cases, which can be time-consuming, costly and disruptive...

What Are the Critical Steps in a Successful Organisational Restructuring Process?

May 15, 2025

Organisational restructuring is essential for businesses adapting to change, whether due to growth, market shifts...

How Can Businesses Prepare for a Smooth TUPE Transition?

Apr 1, 2025

TUPE management is a critical process for businesses undergoing mergers, acquisitions or service changes that...

Workplace Flexibility: A Practical Approach for UK Businesses

Mar 26, 2025

Workplace flexibility is no longer just a trend—it’s an expectation. Employees want more control over...

The Benefits of HR-Led Company Policy Drafting for UK Startups and SMEs

Feb 20, 2025

For UK startups and SMEs, having clear, well-drafted company policies is essential. Policies provide structure,...

Exploring the Benefits of Customised Office 365 Training for Your Business

Feb 20, 2025

Microsoft Office 365 is a key tool for businesses, offering a suite of applications designed...

Why UK SMEs Should Use Outsourced HR for Health and Safety Compliance

Feb 12, 2025

For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK, ensuring compliance with health and safety...

Effective Communication Strategies for Managers: Training Insights

Jan 26, 2025

Good communication is a core skill for managers. It helps teams work better together, reduces...

Work Christmas Parties and Sexual Harassment

Dec 17, 2024

A Festive Affair: Balancing Fun and Professionalism at Work Christmas Parties The office Christmas party...

What the Overseas Worker Ban Means for Employers in the UK

Dec 16, 2024

The Future of Employment: Understanding the Worker Ban The recent overseas worker ban has introduced...

Remote Recruitment : Tips for Hiring Top Talent from Anywhere

Nov 13, 2024

Top Strategies for Hiring Top Talent from Anywhere In an increasingly digital world, the ability...

The Role of Leadership in Mental Health Awareness at the Workplace

Nov 12, 2024

Innovative Strategies for Mental Health Awareness in the Workplace In today’s fast-paced work environment, mental...

The Labour-Green Paper 2024: How It Could Reshape Employment Policies

Nov 11, 2024

Reviving the Labour-Green Paper 2024 In collaboration, the Labour Party and the Green Party have...

Labour’s Employment Rights Bill: What’s in for UK Employers?

Oct 29, 2024

The introduction of the Employment Rights Bill 2024 marks a pivotal shift in the UK’s...

Tips for HRs to Improve Employee Wellbeing and Work-Life Balance

Oct 18, 2024

How to Improve Employee Wellbeing and Work-Life Balance In the fast-paced corridors of modern enterprises,...

Understanding the Labour Employment Rights Green Paper: A Blueprint for the Future

Sep 11, 2024

The Labour Employment Rights Green Paper The Labour Employment Rights Green Paper represents a significant...

The Benefits of Joining the Leicester based “Foxes” BNI Networking Group

Aug 23, 2024

Unlock the Advantages of Joining Leicester's "Foxes" BNI Networking Group Networking is crucial in the...

Scaling Up: How HR Services Adapt to Support Business Growth

Jul 28, 2024

HR Services Adapt to Support Business Growth Scaling up a business is an exciting phase,...

Protecting Your Rights: What to Look for in an Employment Contract

Jul 26, 2024

Understand What to Look for in an Employment Contract to Protect Your Rights When starting...

7 Key HR Strategies That Are Transforming Companies Today

Jul 24, 2024

Introducing  Companies with These Key HR Strategies Human Resources (HR) is evolving rapidly, and companies...

Managing Remote Teams: The Role of HR Services in a Virtual Workspace

Jul 22, 2024

The Role of HR Services in Effectively Managing Remote Teams The rise of remote working...

What Do You Do as an HR Consultant?

Jun 19, 2024

The Role and Responsibilities of an HR Consultant HR consultants play a vital role in...

What is a Communication Training Program?

Jun 18, 2024

Understanding Communication Training Programs Effective communication is essential in the workplace. It impacts everything from...

Hot topic !

May 24, 2024

Employment Law Changes details in the Labour-Green Paper Take a look at Employment law changes...

Navigating Employment Law Changes: What the Labour-Green Paper Means for Businesses

May 24, 2024

Impact of the Labour-Green Paper on Employment Law for Businesses Rishi Sunak’s rain-sodden announcement of...

What Training Do You Need for Mental Health?

May 24, 2024

Essential Training for Mental Health Professionals Mental health has become a vital focus for many...

What are the Objectives of Customer Service Excellence Training?

May 24, 2024

Guide to Customer Service Excellence Training Customer service excellence training is a comprehensive program designed to...

How do HR Consultants Drive Employee Well-Being Initiatives?

Apr 23, 2024

Driving Employee Well-Being Initiatives In today's fast-paced and competitive business landscape, prioritising employee wellbeing has...

What is the Best Leadership Training Course?

Apr 19, 2024

Discover the Best Leadership Training Course In today's fast-paced and constantly evolving business landscape, the...

What are Sales Training Programs?

Apr 19, 2024

Understanding Sales Training Programs In today's dynamic marketplace, where customer expectations are continually evolving, businesses...

Can You Take Your Employer to an Employment Tribunal?

Apr 19, 2024

Taking Your Employer to an Employment Tribunal Yes, you certainly can. And it is essential...

Is it Important to Outsource Your HR Service Operations?

Feb 12, 2024

Why Outsourcing Your HR Service Operations is Crucial? In today's fast-paced and competitive business environment,...

How Can HR Support Services Benefit Your Business?

Feb 5, 2024

HR Support Services Can Transform Your Business Every enterprise, regardless of its size, depends on...

What Are The Types Of Redundancy and How Can HR Support?

Feb 2, 2024

Understanding Types of Redundancy and the Role of HR Support Navigating the complexities of human...

How Do I Make a Claim to an Employment Tribunal?

Jan 5, 2024

An employment tribunal serves as a crucial avenue for resolving disputes between employers and employees....

How to Create an Employee Handbook?

Jan 3, 2024

Building an Employee Handbook from Scratch Having a well-crafted employee handbook is a cornerstone for...

What Should a Staff Handbook Include?

Nov 21, 2023

Introducing employees to a new workplace involves more than just a desk and a job...

Does Outsourcing HR Consulting Services Reduce Business Costs?

Nov 20, 2023

As businesses strive to streamline operations and optimise budgets, the question of whether outsourcing HR...

Why Are HR Consulting Services Important for Any Organisation?

Nov 3, 2023

In today's dynamic business landscape organisations are faced with so many different challenges in the...

How Can HR Improve Workplace Safety?

Nov 3, 2023

Workplace safety is paramount for any organisation as it safeguards the well-being of employees, but...

Which HR Tasks Can Be Outsourced?

Nov 2, 2023

Human Resources (HR) is an essential part of any organisation, and it can be a...

Understanding the Importance of HR Health and Safety Support Services

Sep 27, 2023

In today’s business world, health and safety have become critical priorities for companies of all...

Should I Hire an HR Consultant?

Sep 27, 2023

As a business owner, you have enough on your plate—from meeting client demands to handling...

How Are Employees Retained In An Organisation?

Aug 22, 2023

Employee retention is undoubtedly one of the most important metrics for businesses to monitor. While...

What are Retained HR Services and Why Do You Need Them?

Aug 21, 2023

HR is undeniably one of the fundamental features of modern business, which is why the...

What Happens if You Don’t Have an Employment Contract?

May 15, 2023

Know the length of time you may work without an employee contract When you start...

March Newsletter Statutory Pay Changes

Mar 22, 2023

The national minimum and living wage are reviewed annually and any changes take place from...

What Are the 3 Basic Health and Safety Rights at Any Workplace?

Mar 13, 2023

3 Fundamental Rights to Health and Safety in Every Workplace Health and safety in the...

What is outsourced HR?

Jan 6, 2023

For SME businesses, finding the right HR solution could make or break their success. With...

How do I write an Employment Contract UK?

Dec 19, 2022

If you are an employer in the United Kingdom, you will need to have a...

What happens if you don’t have a staff handbook?

Dec 19, 2022

Without a staff handbook, there can be a lot of confusion in the workplace. It...

Is it a legal requirement to provide a contract of employment?

Nov 21, 2022

It is important for employees to know what their rights and responsibilities are. Employees should...

Does Employment Law Apply To Small Businesses?

Aug 3, 2022

Are you a small business owner in the UK? Do you have employees working for...

How much notice should an employer give for redundancy?

Jun 15, 2022

Redundancy is a difficult subject for anyone in some form of employment. If your employer...

How do I write a paternity leave letter?

Apr 26, 2022

Be familiar with the paternity leave letter An employee whose wife, civil partner or partner...

Why Is Employee Wellbeing Important?

Mar 22, 2022

What Is Employee Wellbeing?  Employee wellbeing is the state of the employee’s mental and physical...

Identifying Section Criteria For Redundancy

Feb 14, 2022

One of the hardest decisions an employer will ever have to come across is the...

What Are the 5 Fair Reasons for Dismissal?

Jan 20, 2022

5 valid reasons for Dismissal Employees are assets to any company, but as a business...

How Do You Ensure Employees’ Wellbeing?

Dec 16, 2021

Employee wellbeing is critical to the efficient operation of any organisation. Without it, your company...

What Are The Stages of Redundancy?

Nov 18, 2021

The Decision To Make A Redundancy Attempting to avoid mandatory redundancies demonstrates that your organisation...

What to Include in an Employee Handbook

Oct 19, 2021

Employee handbooks are a valuable guide that outline company policies and procedures and support the...

Employment Contracts: Everything You Need To Know

Sep 17, 2021

As businesses gradually reopen and employees return to work, most business owners may be responsible...

How to Dismiss an Employee on Probation

Aug 12, 2021

Terminate a Probationary Employee In most cases, when companies hire a new employee, the employee...

What can HR Help With?

Jul 22, 2021

If you are running a business, you will need to ensure that you efficiently manage...

Can you just sack someone?

Jun 22, 2021

Firing an employee is a stressful process for both the employer and employee. For the...

Why Outsourced HR?

Jun 15, 2021

All businesses irrespective of size have to deal with a range of employee issues.  As...

Let’s talk Menopause!

May 25, 2021

Hello, let's talk menopause. Not something that I'm overly comfortable talking about as a man...

How Long Does a Written Warning Last?

May 17, 2021

Understand the duration of a written warning We all dream of working in a harmonious...

Return to the office, no office or something in between?

Apr 27, 2021

We're delighted to be featured in the Business Owners Checklist in the Telegraph. Find out...

On What Grounds Can You Dismiss an Employee?

Apr 22, 2021

Employees are assets to any company, but as a business owner,  you are likely to ...

March 2021 Updates

Mar 15, 2021

For the latest on furlough, changes to national minimum/national living wage and increases to statutory...

Is a Contract of Employment a Legal Requirement?

Mar 15, 2021

Clients often ask if it is necessary to give their employees a contract of employment....

What’s your story?

Feb 8, 2021

Want to know more about us here at Harwood HR Solutions? Take a look at...

5 secrets to fostering a positive culture in the workplace!

Feb 8, 2021

Join Zoe Lidster and Roy Magara from Magara Law to discover 5 secrets to fostering...

The toxicity of bad employees

Jan 14, 2021

The most powerful person in your business is... not you. You might be the company’s founder...

How to manage an employee that doesn’t want to come back to work post COVID-19

Aug 11, 2020

Eloise Shelton and Zoe Lidster discus how to handle this challenging situation.    

The Redundancy Process Explained

Aug 5, 2020

Navigating through a redundancy process can be tricky and it's important to get advice before...

Coronavirus Economic Recovery Plan – What does this mean for employers?

Jul 17, 2020

Coronavirus Economic Recovery Plan – What does this mean for employers? In a bid to...

Latest government update to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – 29th May 2020

Jun 5, 2020

  Transcript: Hello folks just a quick update regarding the coronavirus job retention scheme. The update...

“Returning to Work” – Challenges for Employers to Consider

May 29, 2020

Transport plans How employees get to and from the workplace will be a challenge for...

Basic Guide to Redundancies

May 28, 2020

Return To Work Toolkit

May 25, 2020

Our ‘Return to Work Toolkit’ contains expert advice and information, including some helpful template documents....

Webinar – Preparing Your Business For Re-entry Following Lockdown.

May 21, 2020

Preparing your business for re-entry from lockdown! Important considerations!

May 21, 2020

  Transcript: So, preparing for re-entry. The latest news is that the government are planning a...

Webinar – Successfully Managing and Looking After Your Remote Workers and Furloughed Employees!

May 6, 2020

Staff furloughed! What now?

Apr 28, 2020

  Transcript: Hello, it's been roughly four weeks since isolation here in the UK, lockdown! Many...

What’s new? April 2020 Employment Law Updates!

Apr 17, 2020

April is usually a time when we are busy talking about all of the new...

Furloughed Workers & The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – Q&A’s

Apr 17, 2020

Following our webinar  "A Simple Guide to Furloughed Workers and The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme"...

Challenging Stress Remotely 

Apr 7, 2020

It’s World Health Day and Stress Awareness Month. That certainly calls for a minute to...

Webinar – Guide to Furloughed Workers & The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Apr 6, 2020

Psychological Advice for Parents Juggling Home-Working & Schooling

Mar 31, 2020

Working from home? Sounds fine. But then add into the mix occupying your children and...

Furloughed Workers and the Job Retention Scheme

Mar 25, 2020

Background The Government has introduced a Job Retention Scheme for Furloughed workers.  The term Furloughed...

Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Helpful information for employers

Mar 9, 2020

As coronavirus (also known as COVID-19) continues to spread, it is important employers consider how...

Occupational Health and When to Refer an Employee

Feb 23, 2020

Occupational health are registered (NMC – nurses or GMC – Doctors) health professionals such as...

Anxiety: Revealing The Truth

Feb 7, 2020

Think of the last time you were asked to do something that sent your body...

IR35 and April 2020 changes

Jan 30, 2020

    So fair bit of talk recently about IR35 and the proposed changes by the...

New Year, New Start…?!

Jan 13, 2020

New Year; New Start? Many of your employees could be thinking this and you may...

Should I Fire That Problem Employee?

Jan 9, 2020

  Should I fire the problem employee? A common problem faced by many of our...

Contracts and policies – are they needed?

Dec 17, 2019

 One of the common questions that we often get asked is do I need...

Christmas parties – love or loathe them they are happening! A few points for employers to consider…..

Dec 4, 2019

With the festive season upon us, many companies will be looking forward to their Christmas...

What is great HR?

Nov 26, 2019

We are constantly being asked the question, what does great HR look like? To be...

Trans-forming the Workplace

Nov 20, 2019

As you may already know, I am passionate about creating workplaces where all people can...

Do I need HR in my business?

Nov 19, 2019

Transcript to video Do I need HR in my business? Do you employ people? If...

I have an employee who is always off sick! Help!!

Nov 13, 2019

  Transcript to video This is one of the biggest issues that we have to...

Protecting the Mental Health of the Good Eggs

Oct 9, 2019

With World Mental Health Day on Thursday, there is a celebrated focus of attention on...

Let’s Unlock Your Potential

Aug 9, 2019

“We are the HR solution, for visionary business leaders, who understand the invaluable power of...

Law of Attraction – friend or foe??

Jun 13, 2019

The Law of Attraction Whilst to many, the law of attraction is seen as fluffy...

It’s Time for Change

May 15, 2019

With, 1 in 6 people experiencing a common mental health problem (such as anxiety and...

£3,136 raised for Helen & Douglas House!

May 7, 2019

26.2 miles completed and over £3,000 raised – I could not be happier. I finished...

Pre-Presentation Panic

May 2, 2019

I find it hard to comprehend when people say that they simply ‘don’t get nervous’...

The Joys of Exercise

May 1, 2019

So, I have just had a PT session and they made me run around the...

April Round-up

Apr 26, 2019

There has been a lot of new legislation this month so here’s a recap in...

Gender pay gap report deadline

Apr 4, 2019

Gender pay gap reports for the private and voluntary sector in England, Wales, and Scotland...

Statutory Payment Increase

Mar 27, 2019

All employers! Be sure that you have made relevant changes, in line with the statutory...

National Living Wage, April 2019

Mar 21, 2019

Reminder!! National Living Wage to increase almost 5% from 1stApril 2019. From the 1stApril 2019...

Mental Health Awareness

Mar 18, 2019

It has been recently publicised that sadly, the Love Island 2017 contestant, Mike Thalassitis took...

Preparing for Brexit

Mar 4, 2019

The 29thMarch is looming – are you and your business prepared for Brexit?? Of course...

Psychological contract; what does it mean? Do we need to take it seriously?

Mar 1, 2019

Do you hear business jargon thrown around the office daily and wonder if it really...

Working for free?

Feb 19, 2019

If you had an extra 17 hours per month, what would you want to do...

Remote workforce? How to make it work for your team

Feb 16, 2019

A traditional approach to managing your team may consist of ensuring everyone is “clocking in...

How Can You Avoid Employment Tribunals?

Feb 14, 2019

There has, unsurprisingly, been a rise in the number of claims since the abolition of...

Virgin London Marathon 2019 here I come!!

Feb 7, 2019

Early for a client visit one September morning, I decided to treat myself to a...

Not-so Silent Night?

Jan 9, 2019

It’s that time of the year again! Drama, gossiping, alcohol fuelled arguments, and someone got...

Anyone up for a snowball fight?

Jan 9, 2019

Living in the UK, we aren’t subject to extreme weather conditions – thankfully! But that...

Corporate Life Vs Working for yourself

Jan 9, 2019

I am often asked “what’s better, working for somebody else or working for yourself”?  In...

Is your social media damaging your career prospects?

Jan 9, 2019

We all know that if you work in a sensitive profession there are certain rules...

Key Start Up Advice

Jan 9, 2019

So, you want to start your own business?  Fed up of your hard work and...

What does great HR look like?

Jan 9, 2019

At Harwood we pride ourselves in being amongst the best HR professionals in the country....

And so Harwood was born……..

Jan 9, 2019

Following a successful career in senior HR and leadership roles, Duncan Turner was so unimpressed...