Supportis

29/05/2026

Not long left now until auditions close for

We are sponsoring Homecare's Got Talent 2026 because we believe in what it stands for. Not just the talent. Not just the show. But the fact that every single penny from Grand Finale ticket sales goes directly to The Care Workers' Charity.

CWC provides emergency grants, mental health support and crisis assistance to care workers across the UK. People who give everything and sometimes have very little to fall back on. By sponsoring HCGT and encouraging our team to enter, we are part of something that genuinely changes lives.

If your organisation shares these values, we would love you to get involved too. homecaresgottalent.co.uk

28/05/2026

BP has removed its chairman with immediate effect following allegations of bullying and governance concerns.

Albert Manifold had only been in the role for a few months, but the board acted quickly – describing the issues as "unacceptable".

For employers of all sizes, this is a reminder that workplace culture and behavioural standards need to apply at every level. If your policies don't hold senior leaders to the same standards as everyone else, they're not really policies – they're suggestions.

27/05/2026

The Scott Mills dismissal case has brought employment law into the spotlight – and there are some important lessons here for employers of all sizes.

From the importance of acting when issues arise, to why process matters just as much as the reason behind a decision, this case is a reminder of how quickly things can get complicated.

We've broken down what employers can learn from it in our latest blog 👇

🔗 https://ow.ly/9O7N50Z4hOC

The reported dismissal of Scott Mills by the BBC, and his subsequent preparation of an unfair dismissal claim – has put employment law back in the headlines. While the full details remain unclear, the case raises important questions for employers of all sizes about how to handle sensitive allegati...

26/05/2026

The government is looking at replacing some GP sick notes with "return to work" plans – focusing on what employees can do, rather than just signing them off.

The aim is to reduce long-term absence and keep people connected to work with the right support. Sounds positive, but it will mean employers need to be ready to have those conversations and make reasonable adjustments.

If you're not sure how this might affect your business or whether your absence management processes need updating, we're here to help.

Drop us a message, get in touch through our website, or call 📞 0161 603 2156

21/05/2026

Scott Mills is reportedly preparing an unfair dismissal claim against the BBC.

The case involves a historic police investigation – closed in 2019, no charges brought. Mills says the BBC knew about it years ago. The BBC says "new information" led to his dismissal.

Whatever the outcome, it's a useful reminder for employers:

→ What you knew and when you knew it matters
→ Acting only when something goes public can backfire
→ Consistency is key – would you treat any employee the same way?
→ Even in sensitive cases, process matters

A fair dismissal isn't just about having a reason. It's about acting reasonably and being able to explain your decision.

If you're facing a tricky HR situation, get advice before you act – not after.

Need advice? Contact our team for a free consultation at www.supportis.com

20/05/2026

Quick. Cheap. Available at 2am.

It's easy to see why businesses are tempted to use AI for HR advice.

But here's what they don't tell you:

❌ AI hallucinates – it makes things up and sounds confident doing it
❌ AI gets UK law wrong – it might give you advice based on US employment law
❌ AI can't explain its decisions – and if you can't explain it, you can't defend it at tribunal
❌ AI providers aren't accountable – if the advice is wrong, the liability is yours

Employment law isn't one-size-fits-all. It requires context. Judgement. Someone who actually knows your business.

Technology should support human decision-making. Not replace it.

If you're not sure whether your current approach is putting you at risk, let's have a chat.
📞 0161 603 2156

19/05/2026

Quick question: when you need HR advice, who answers?

A chatbot? A generic helpdesk? Someone different every time?

We do things differently.

Every client gets a dedicated advisor. A real person who knows your business, understands your challenges and picks up the phone when you need them.

Because when you're dealing with a tricky grievance, a complex dismissal or a question that doesn't have a straightforward answer – you need someone who gets the full picture. Not a script. Not a templated response. Not advice that might be right for a business somewhere, but not yours.

HR and employment law are about people. The advice should be too.

We've written more about why this matters – and the risks of relying on shortcuts – in our latest blog.

👉 https://www.supportis.com/news/why-ai-shouldnt-be-your-hr-advisor/

If you're not getting the support you need right now, let's have a conversation.

📞 0161 603 2156 ✉️ [email protected]

AI is everywhere right now. It’s writing emails, summarising meetings, generating images and answering questions on just about anything you can think of. So it’s no surprise that some businesses are turning to AI tools for HR and employment law advice. On the surface, it makes sense. It’s fast...

18/05/2026

£329,000.

That's what it cost Pilkington UK Ltd to spy on a disabled employee and get it wrong.

Alan Jones had worked for the company since 1983. Fifth generation in the glass-making industry. Unblemished record.

Then he developed a chronic pain condition – a side effect of cancer treatment he'd had decades earlier.

He went on sick leave. He spent time at a friend's farm to help his mental health. A colleague spotted him in work boots and reported him.

The company's response?

↳ Hired a surveillance firm
↳ Filmed him, his wife, his friend, even his daughter
↳ Used footage of him handing over a bag of potatoes as "evidence" he was working
↳ Sought no medical evidence
↳ Sacked him for gross misconduct

Six years later, a tribunal ruled he'd been unfairly discriminated against because of his disability.

The lesson for employers:

Assumptions aren't evidence.

If you suspect an employee is exaggerating a condition, the answer isn't surveillance. It's a proper process. Medical evidence. A genuine conversation.

Pilkington admitted they "fell short" and have reviewed their processes. But the damage – financial, reputational and human – was already done.

As Alan Jones put it: "I was sacked through suspicion but vindicated through justice."

Are your absence management processes protecting your business – or exposing it?

15/05/2026

Supportis is a proud sponsor of Homecare's Got Talent 2026 and we could not be more excited.

HCGT celebrates the extraordinary talent hiding inside the homecare workforce. Singers. Dancers. Comedians. Musicians. Performers of every kind.

If you are a homecare worker, auditions are open NOW. The prize is GBP 1,000 cash plus a holiday for two plus a live performance at the Grand Finale. This is your sign. Enter today at https://ow.ly/hhH250YYVcc Deadline: 31st May 2026.

14/05/2026

UK businesses spend £50 billion a year on training.

So why is productivity still falling behind?

Here's the problem:

📋 21 million hours lost on basic compliance training
📋 That's 11,000 full-time roles worth of time
📋 And £416 million down the drain

The hardest hit sectors?

→ Business services – £65.3m
→ Hospitality – £55m
→ Retail – £51.4m

The more time spent on mandatory training, the lower employee proficiency.

We're ticking boxes. Not building skills.

The fix?

✅ Assess before you train
✅ Tailor to the role
✅ Make it efficient – not endless

Training should develop people, not just prove compliance.

Is yours doing that? 👇