Albany HR

07/01/2026

There’s a lot going on in the world of employment law and HR this year and if you're a small business owner, we know it can feel like just one more thing on the list! That’s why at Albany HR we’ve put together a simple 5-point checklist to help you sense check where you are right now:

✅ Legal foundations – Are your contracts and policies up to date and being applied fairly?
✅ Smart systems – Still tracking holidays or sickness on spreadsheets? There’s an easier way.
✅ People performance – Do you know why your best people stay… or what might make them leave?
✅ Wellbeing & culture – Are issues being picked up early, before they become problems?
✅ Growth readiness – If one key person left tomorrow, would things keep running?

You don’t need to fix everything at once. Just start with the thing that’s been quietly getting to you, the one you keep meaning to sort out. Get that right, then move on to the next.

Strong HR foundations = fewer headaches and more headspace to grow your business.

If it would help to talk it through, we're offering a free 30-minute chat to help you review where you stand and get ready for the year ahead. Drop [email protected] a message if you’d like to book a slot.

19/12/2025

Goodwill to People (and Planet)! 🎁 Albany HR is officially a Certified B Corp!

This is our biggest news of the year! We've joined the global movement of companies committed to using business as a force for good. It's an amazing start to the Christmas season for Kathleen McAdams and the entire Albany HR family. Thank you to everyone who has supported our journey to becoming a purpose-driven business.

Click to read the full story on why this makes us a better partner for your HR needs

Albany HR, the Edinburgh based human resources consultancy, has today announced its accreditation as a Certified B Corporation (B Corp).

04/12/2025

Good Morning, I'm sure you will all agree that our most valuable commodity in life and business is our time and that’s why the probation period of a new hire is an essential make or break when securing the right fit for your team. This article is a great reminder that even during probation, employees have statutory rights from day one, meaning a fair and documented process is essential for protecting your business

What is the main hurdle or drain on your time when a new hire isn't quite working out during their probation period? Is it finding time for regular documented check ins, or is it managing the necessary documentation and process when you need to extend or end the contract? Please share your experiences of best practice.

https://albanyhr.com/news/managing-probation-periods-edinburgh/

When a new hire doesn’t meet expectations, it can feel frustrating and time-consuming. The good news is, probation gives you a fair and structured way to deal with it while protecting your business.

06/11/2025

📅 Save the Date!

Join our Gelato Expert Fabiano Franzoso for an exclusive Ice Cream Alliance webinar:

The Fundamentals of Gelato Making – including a practical ripple recipe and live Q&A!

🗓 Tuesday 25th November 2025
⏰ 11:00–11:45am
💻 Online

Whether you’re starting a new parlour or perfecting your recipes, Fabiano will guide you through key techniques and answer your gelato questions live!

👉 Register now via the link in our bio to secure your spot!

05/11/2025

🍦 Partnership Announcement 📣
We at Albany HR are absolutely delighted to announce our partnership with The Ice Cream Alliance (UK & Ireland) to provide dedicated HR support to all their members!

The ICA does fantastic work in the industry, and we are so pleased to be the expert team that can help their members navigate the complexities of employment issues, workplace policies, contracts, and all things Human Resources.

We're ready to bring our friendly, expert guidance to help your ice cream or gelato business thrive through your people. If you're an ICA member and need a helping hand with your HR matters, don't hesitate to reach out to the ICA team — they'll connect you directly with us!

Need support with HR matters? We’ve got you covered! ✅

The Ice Cream Alliance has partnered with Albany HR to give our members expert guidance on employment issues, workplace policies, contracts, and more.

💡 If you need help, just get in touch with us — we’ll connect you with Albany HR to find the right solutions for your business.

03/11/2025

Our latest newsletter covers:

✅How not to get into trouble with Right to Work checks
💡How to deal with employee 'over-sharing'
❗️When “zero tolerance” policies put you at risk of unfair dismissal
⌚️Getting ready for changes to unfair dismissal laws

and more...

read here -

If you’re hiring someone new, you must check that they have the legal right to work in the UK before they start That applies to every role and every nationality. Skip it and you risk fines of up to £60,000, plus serious damage to your business and reputation. Here’s 3 ways to check right to [.....

28/08/2025

📢 Is your business prepared for neurodiversity in the workplace? 🤔

A recent employment tribunal ruling in the UK has shown the legal risks of not providing proper support for employees with ADHD. An employer was found to have discriminated against an employee by failing to provide neurodiversity awareness training.

At Albany HR, we can help your business get ahead of this by ensuring you have the right policies and training in place to support ALL your employees. It's not just about avoiding legal issues; it's about creating a more inclusive and productive environment.

Official data analysed by Sky News shows the number of people in work with disabilities or long-term health conditions has risen by 21% since the pandemic, including a 35% jump in workers with learning difficulties and mental conditions like ADHD.

15/08/2025

Do you have a clear plan for managing your team's performance, or are you just reacting to issues as they arise? A proactive approach can save you time, stress, and money.

Join us for our upcoming Lunch & Learn online seminar on August 27th at 12:15 PM. Our in-house expert, Suzy Friel, will share her decades of experience to help you navigate the complexities of performance management. Kathleen and her team will show you how to build a clear strategy, handle sensitive situations, and foster a culture of accountability.

Take 45 minutes to learn how to build a more successful and engaged team.

Register now for this free event: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/performance-management-tickets-1559872684189

Turning Under performance Into An Opportunity - Learn how to set goals, provide feedback, and evaluate performance in our event!

15/07/2025

Hi everyone! 👋 Does this sound familiar? You're buried under holiday requests 🏖️, chasing contract signatures ✍️, and trying to keep track of probation periods... It's enough to make your head spin! 🤯

If you're drowning in HR admin, you're not alone. Our July newsletter is packed with insights on how other UK business owners are using the right HR software to claw back their time. ⏱️

But that's not all! We're also covering:

Practical, low-cost ways to support your team through the cost crisis (and actually boost performance!) 🚀

Why a quarter of employees are hiding burnout from their managers 🔥

How minimum wage increases might be shaking up your team dynamics 📈

And, of course, answers to your most pressing HR questions. 🤔

Ready to reclaim your time and get on top of your HR? Read our July newsletter here.

25/06/2025

Albany HR Named Finalist for Family Business of the Year!

We are absolutely thrilled and incredibly proud to announce that Albany HR has been shortlisted as a Finalist in the Family Business of the Year category at the 2025 Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards!

When I founded Albany HR, my vision was to empower businesses by putting their people first. This recognition, often called "The Grammys of Entrepreneurship," is a true validation of that mission and a testament to the extraordinary talent and dedication of our entire team.

To be acknowledged among the UK's most exciting and ambitious businesses is truly inspiring. We're honoured to be in the company of incredible brands and to highlight the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit across the UK.

This journey wouldn't be possible without the trust of our clients and the relentless hard work of the Albany HR team, including my partner Stuart Gibbons and my sister Monique Equi. A huge thank you to the Great British Entrepreneur Awards and Allica Bank for championing SMEs and for this incredible opportunity.

We're eagerly looking forward to November!

23/06/2025

Many employers are considering making staff redundant at the moment. A change in strategy can mean the mix of skills and knowledge your employees have are not those your business needs, necessitating redundancies.

18/06/2025

We loved meeting so many new faces at the fantastic EGG event last night, "A Summer Celebration at Café Calton!" 🤩 What a venue, and the food, drink, and company were almost as breathtaking as the view!

A huge shout-out to Kylie for being such a brilliant host. She made everyone feel so relaxed and highlighted amazing businesses (including Albany HR – thank you, Kylie! 🙌). It was a masterclass in approachable networking, and we're buzzing from all the connections made.

Kathleen, Managing Director of Albany HR, and Monique one of Albany HR’s consultants 📸 behind the camera, attended the event, and had a great evening and some really interesting conversations.

What do we do? We help organisations succeed through their people. We're here to help busy business owners and managers with all their HR and people management challenges, ensuring business leaders can concentrate on their core business, We're planning our next post and were thinking of covering "The 10 things you need to think about when taking on your first employee."

What do you think? What HR topics would you find most helpful for us to cover? Let us know in the comments! 👇