The HR Dept Carlisle & North Lancashire

19/06/2026

Whilst AI brings many efficiency benefits, it also comes with risks that should be approached with caution.

AI bias is one of them, which we explore below...

18/06/2026

As you’ll have seen, with England’s first kick off at 9pm UK time, and Scotland’s even worse at 2am, you’ll need to get a handle on footy fans’ attendance and capability to work, or else face 30 days of hurt whilst the World Cup is on.

It may not just be home nation fans you have within your workforce – it is the biggest World Cup ever, with 48 countries participating. The risks are bleary-eyed employees showing up fatigued and ineffective or not showing up at all. We discuss this in June's edition of People Matter.

We also discuss pay transparency, MSME day, health and safety, and more.

To read these articles in full, and find out the latest from the world of HR, check out our newsletter here:

🎶 “30 years days of hurt” 🎶 As you’ll have seen, with England’s first kick off at 9pm UK time, and Scotland’s even worse at 2am, you’ll need to get a…

17/06/2026

From stock market IPOs to the threat of advanced computer hacking, AI is never out of the news. It is a big thing in businesses generally, and HR specifically, too: with AI automation being used for a whole host of tasks, often poorly.

Creating and placing job adverts; CV screening; candidate scoring; production of HR documentation such as employment contracts; and procedural communication, for instance in a disciplinary or grievance process.

For all its efficiency, AI has a number of downsides: data protection, human redundancies, inaccuracy and hallucination, and what we're going to focus on in this blog: bias:

From stock market IPOs to the threat of advanced computer hacking, AI is never out of the news. It is a big thing in businesses generally, and HR…

16/06/2026

Do you want to create a more inclusive workplace?

We've created a checklist, outlining the steps your business needs to take in order to achieve this.

15/06/2026

This week is Learning Disability Week!

At The HR Dept, we’re proud to champion workplaces where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. People with learning disabilities bring valuable perspectives and strengths that enrich businesses and communities alike.

If you need support creating a more inclusive workplace, we’re here to help.

12/06/2026

Cast a look over the Employment Rights Act, and when it comes to the biggest change – the expanded unfair dismissal rights for employees – you’d be forgiven for thinking you don’t have to do anything until 2027.

But you’d be wrong.

The below infographic explains why changes need to be made now, and what those changes are...

10/06/2026

Currently, employees need to have two years of continuous service for ordinary unfair dismissal protection. A tribunal may make a basic award plus a capped compensatory award, and you still have to establish a fair reason (conduct, capability/performance, redundancy, statutory illegality/ breach of law, SOSR) and follow a reasonable procedure.

From January 2027, this is set to change. The qualifying period will reduce to just six months, and compensation awards will no longer be capped.

You might think you still have six months to prepare, but in reality, your business should be taking action by 1st July.

Our latest blog explains this in more detail, along with the steps you should take to prepare:

Cast a look over the Employment Rights Act, and when it comes to the biggest change – the expanded unfair dismissal rights for employees – you’d be…

09/06/2026

The importance of building an inclusive workplace…

Building an inclusive workplace is about how your people feel and are treated on a day-to-day basis, rather than just adjusting your policies and ticking boxes.

For SME employers, this can sometimes feel like a big topic. But in reality, inclusion is built through the small, consistent actions that shape your culture over time.

It starts with creating an environment where people feel comfortable being themselves, where their ideas are listened to, their differences are respected, and they know they’ll be treated fairly.

Inclusion also plays an important role in helping you meet your legal responsibilities as an employer. Having fair, accessible processes and treating people consistently can reduce the risk of discrimination and support better decision-making across your business.

But beyond compliance, there’s a real opportunity here. Inclusive workplaces tend to attract a wider range of talent, encourage fresh thinking, and create a culture where people genuinely want to stay and grow.

You don’t need a large HR team or a big budget, but reviewing how you recruit, how you communicate, how you support your people, and how your managers lead day to day can all make a meaningful difference.

You might not get everything perfect overnight, but adopting a proactive, committed approach over time will only benefit your business and people.

👉 Get in touch with The HR Dept to talk through how you can build a more inclusive workplace.

05/06/2026

Navigating protests and unrest in the workplace isn’t new, but today’s employers need to be clear and proactive to keep conversations respectful and workplaces running smoothly.

03/06/2026

From Roman “decimation” to modern-day protests, managing workplace unrest has come a long way… thankfully.

But while employers can’t (and shouldn’t) control what people think, you can set clear expectations for how those views are expressed at work.

Getting this right isn't always easy, but being proactive can help prevent issues from escalating.

Read our latest blog to learn more:

How have employers dealt with civil strife and dissent historically? Roman legions had a policy of decimation whereby one in every ten soldiers was…