vivoHR & Training Blog

9:06am, time to start work!

9:06am, time to start work!

The firm that starts work at 9:06am! This was an interesting article on the BBC this week. Apparently at US firm Pivotal Software, a gong is rung at precisely 9:06, at which time everyone must be ready to start work and the day starts then with a brief stand-up...

Sickness Absence is increasing, how will you manage them?

Sickness Absence is increasing, how will you manage them?

Nearly half of all companies say they have seen an increase in sickness absence in the last year according to latest CIPD research figures. Short term sickness absences are due to a wide variety of reasons with minor illnesses such as coughs and colds making up the...

National Minimum Wage October 2016 New Rates

The National Minimum Wage rates went up on 1 October, we mentioned it earlier this year but we just wanted to remind you £7.20 per hour - 25 yrs old and over (what has been called the National Living Wage) £6.95 per hour - 21-24 yrs old £5.55 per hour 18-20 yrs old £4...

What makes a great employer?

What makes a great employer?

What can the Great British Bake Off teach us about being a great employer?! Feeling quite amused that even Personnel Today have got in on the Bake Off Breadxit story line - beyond the title their article about retaining talent has little if any reference to the...

The Apprenticeship Levy, do you know what it is?

The Apprenticeship Levy, do you know what it is?

Have you heard of the Apprenticeship Levy? According to the British Chambers of Commerce nearly half of all businesses have no clue what it is. The Apprenticeship Levy comes into force in April 2017 and affects companies with a payroll of more than £3million per...

Holiday wording in your contracts

Holiday wording in your contracts

How do you refer to holiday & Bank Holidays in your employment contracts? Careless wording with all good intent could end up costing you more money! The statutory holiday entitlement is 5.6 weeks (28 days for a 5 day a week employee) - this includes bank holidays....

Hackathon, it the newest craze!

Hackathon, it the newest craze!

Ever been to a hackathon?! We've come across this term a few times recently. Seems to be the latest buzzword in technology fields. Simply put - bring a group of the right people together & ask them to generate great new ideas. Facebook apparently hold them every...

Brexit Five Point Practical Checklist

Brexit Five Point Practical Checklist

Do you think Brexit will affect the way your business recruits, retains and manages employees? This article in Personnel Today sets out a Brexit Five Point Practical Checklist you might find useful? We're still sitting quite firmly on the fence about any potential...