The HR Dept - Plymouth/Launceston/SW Devon

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, just reach out and we'll be happy to discuss.

12/06/2026

I love visiting clients when the view is like this 😎 Paignton Harbour on a sunny afternoon.

Whilst I work from home most of the time, it is important to me to keep in touch with clients and visit their amazing businesses. Today we talked about the changes to unfair dismissal, sexual and third party harassment in the hospitality environment and DBS enhanced checks when employing 14 to 15 year olds. With our support, our client is proactively futureproofing their business and looking after their teams in line with the company values.

If you run a hospitality business in Torbay, Plymouth or North/SE Cornwall areas and feel you would like to discuss any of the above, then please contact us for a no obligation conversation.

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:

Insights and advice for employers on HR, employment law and managing people in the workplace.

03/06/2026

🌶️ Client Spotlight – May 2026 🌶️

We’re proud to support the awarding winning South Devon Chilli Farm, Loddiswell, Kingsbridge, with their HR and people management needs as they continue to grow their fantastic business and team.

Over recent months, we’ve been working closely with Jenny, Amrit and the team to provide practical, proactive HR support across a range of areas, including:

· Ensuring recruitment processes remain compliant, including robust right to work checks for new team members

· Updating their Employee Handbook in line with the Employment Rights Act changes introduced in April 2026

· Supporting management with guidance around maternity leave and employee wellbeing

· Providing day-to-day advice on performance management and employee relations matters

It’s always rewarding to work with businesses that genuinely care about their people and want to create a positive, compliant and supportive working environment.

We understand that no two businesses are the same, which is why we provide tailored HR support that works alongside the operational realities of each organisation we partner with.

Thank you to the team at South Devon Chilli Farm for continuing to place your trust in us and we look forward to supporting your continued success 🌶️

What our client says:

"The HR Dept has provided us with practical, responsive, and SME focused HR support across a range of people matters. Their guidance has helped us maintain compliance when recruiting new employees, update our employment documentation in line with legislative changes, support employees through key life events such as maternity leave, and effectively manage day-to-day employee relations matters. Having access to expert HR advice gives us confidence that we are supporting our team appropriately while ensuring our business remains compliant and well positioned for future growth”.

Please checkout their website

South Devon Chilli Farm

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…

01/06/2026

⭐ Volunteers Week ⭐

This week, we’re celebrating the incredible contributions volunteers make to communities across the UK. With more than one in four people volunteering each month, their impact plays a vital role in shaping our society.

While volunteers aren’t employees, there are still important HR considerations to keep in mind and that’s where we can help.

Do you have a volunteer policy in your business, do you allow allocated time for your team to volunteer? We would love to hear what you do.

If you don't have anything in place and would like to discuss, please get in touch to see how we can help.

07/05/2026

A survey conducted last year by a payroll provider found that two-thirds of workers admitted to decreased productivity, with 30% saying they lost between 30 to 60 minutes every day in the summer.

Top reasons are mainly weather-related with feelings of sweat and tiredness in the heat as well as dehydration and headaches cited. It’s worth noting, though, that this year we have the men’s FIFA world cup. When it comes round, every four years, it can be a significant distraction in itself, especially in the game heavy early weeks. ⚽ 😎

So if we know the summer slump is coming, what can we do about it? Here are some top do and don’t tips from HR to keep your team engaged and the work getting done:

Texas sang Here Comes the Summer Son , back in the 90s. But if research is to be believed, “here comes the summer slump” would be more apt! A survey…

05/05/2026

Don't you love Bank Holidays! I must have been in the only part of the West Country yesterday where it rained in the afternoon 😕

We are lucky that there are 2 bank holidays in May. Whilst the majority of us enjoy the time off and a shorter week, it's business as usual for hospitality and retail.

If your business is in either of these sectors, do your contracts of employment reflect the flexibility needed during peak seasons or school holidays? Are they up to date with current legislation or do you use zero hours?

If you would like these reviewed to ensure they are working for your business whilst being up to date with current legislation, then we can help. We can advise on any changes/updates needed to make sure your business is in the best position going forward.

Contact us and book a free discovery call today 🙂
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01/05/2026

OMG we are all buzzing! 🥳

Thank you to everyone who came along to the launch of The RUN Bodmin yesterday. What a fantastic turnout, Hayley Dunn, Tim Bardgett L.ISP and I were so pleased and there was a real diverse mix of businesses in the room. Plenty of conversations and connections being made 😊

Thank you also to Jo Mottershead, John Ross and Ben Perry, founders of the The Really Useful Network (The RUN) for your support and trusting us to be Frontrunners representing Bodmin and the surrounding areas.

If you would like to join us next month, we will be at the Shire Hall Suite,Bodmin on Thursday, 28th May. Check out the website for more details 👇
https://lnkd.in/e7Gtm9yn