We’re not your average HR consultancy. Led by Sam Swinstead, a plain-talking HR professional with over 20 years of experience, we focus on sensible, practical advice that gets results.
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What’s your favourite workplace sitcom? Or do you prefer a drama? How about a blockbuster epic? Do you ever find yourself asking 'what would HR do?' No? Really? Just us then. We all love to get away from the stress of real life by diving into a brilliant TV show or...
Does it feel like everyone is talking about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and about using AI in the workplace? Some industries have already adopted AI technology, others are slower to accept it. Some business owners are excited about embracing it, others are ignoring...
Let’s be real … HR policies and procedures don’t exactly scream “superpower”. They sound like dusty binders, HR jargon and red tape. But here’s the truth: when they’re done right, they’re not just helpful, they are game-changing. Clear, fair and...
Your workspace is more than just desks and chairs – it’s a reflection of your company culture. The way your workspace is designed and maintained can influence employee morale, productivity and how your business is perceived by visitors. A well-thought-out workspace...
Recruiting the right talent isn’t just about placing ads and conducting interviews – it’s a process that starts with creating a clear job advert and extends all the way to onboarding. A streamlined recruitment process not only helps fill positions faster but also...
Burnout is more than just stress — it’s a state of emotional, physical and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged and excessive pressure. Short-term stress can sometimes be a motivator but, long-term, unrelenting stress can lead individuals to feel overwhelmed,...
Did you know that January is named after the Roman god ‘Janus’, the god of beginnings and endings? He is also the god of doors, depicted with two faces, one looking backwards and the other looking forwards. As we step into 2025, the start of the new year is the...
If we say, “Christmas Workplace Naughty List,” most managers (and everyone who works in HR!) will have some vivid recollections that spring to mind. At vivoHR, we’ve dealt with a LOT of festive faux pas! Here are just a few memorable examples: A Director...
… I’m embarrassed. … I don’t want to seem weak. … I just need to ‘man up’. … My team will lose faith in me. According to recent statistics, 46% of men would be embarrassed or ashamed to tell their employer if they needed time off because of their mental health....
In any business employee retention is crucial. Some staff turnover is expected – people retire, move away, personal circumstances change, or they may be looking to progress into a role that you just don’t have available. That’s okay! Turnover can even be helpful when...
Recruitment and background checks go hand in hand for many employers although background checks can be conducted at any time if necessary. Background checks are used to confirm someone’s validity, honesty and ability to do the job. Different industries, businesses and...
The words inclusion and inclusivity are used a lot in relation to the workplace, and often seem to be rather interchangeable, or linked with other words such as diversity and equality. Let’s break down what these words really mean and why inclusion – or inclusivity –...
So begins a summer of sport! The Euros are upon us! Football fans will be over the moon, non-fans less than impressed with what seems like hundreds of matches on TV over the next few weeks. And even if you aren’t a football fan there’s plenty more choice during the...
Strategic employee benefits can significantly impact team satisfaction, engagement, loyalty and retention ... and have a positive effect on the standard of their work and effort. In today’s competitive job market, employers need to differentiate themselves...
Are your company culture and values at odds with your policies? Do your employees even know what your company culture and values are? Value-driven policies are the best way to build a culture where both your people and the business thrive. Let’s start with a few key...
Over these last few years, remote and hybrid working has become the new normal. But it’s not as simple as it might sound. For employers, there are lots of considerations. At vivoHR we know how hard it is to keep all the plates spinning when taking care of your staff...
When the pandemic began, most UK employees had to start working from home. But, since the world has gradually been returning to normal. In many organisations, a returning to the office movement has been taking place. Whilst many have enjoyed the working from home...
Think back to when you decided to start your own business, we’re guessing HR wasn’t one of the areas that you gave much thought to. Unless that is of course you were an HR Consultant starting an HR business! Your businesses is constantly evolving, growing, moving in...
Have you noticed that a lot more of your staff seem to be off sick recently? It might be the odd day here and there for coughs and colds, or maybe you’re seeing more people off for longer chunks of time than you usually do. If so, you’re not the only one. Yes,...
The legally required period for declaring custodial convictions by individuals to their employer has changed. New legislation (Section 193 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022) came into force on 28 October 2023 which means that criminal convictions...
61 companies recently trialled a 4-day working week and, in a report, published this week the results seem to speak for themselves. 92%, that’s 56 business who took part in the trial have decided to continue with a 4-day working week with some making it a permanent...
You might be thinking you’ve got a touch of déjà vu but this is important new(ish) news! We’ve spoken a number of times over the past year about the temporary adjustments to right to work checks coming to an end which have been put back (and back and back), however...
The Supreme Court has ruled that a part-year worker should not receive pro-rata holiday based on the number of weeks they work in a year and instead should receive the full statutory 5.6 weeks annual leave in any given year based on their working patterns the same as...
Delayed or cancelled flights, the biggest rail strike in decades and the cost of fuel is a headache that we could all do without but are likely to affect most of us over the coming months so what will you be doing to manage the uncertainty of staff shortages due to...
I’m sure you all saw that the government has announced we are going to ‘Plan B’ in Covid measures in a bid to slow the spread of the new Omicron variant, which includes working from home again, so forgive us if we are repeating stuff you know but we of course wanted...
We found out today that the Gov have quietly removed the ability for employers to claim back SSP for Covid related absences if an employee is absent after 30 Sept either unwell with covid or having to isolate due to contact.Full guidance here:Check if you can claim...
Summer is coming to end and mince pies are already making an appearance on the shelves. It’s time to think about what needs to be done before the end of the year, which for many businesses is also the end of the employee holiday year. Holiday is important to our...
