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📣 Business owners - update on the new Employment Rights Bill.👇This week the government have finally published an impleme...
05/07/2025

📣 Business owners - update on the new Employment Rights Bill.👇

This week the government have finally published an implementation roadmap for the forthcoming Employment Rights Bill, which is set to be the biggest overhaul of employment legislation for generations.

What do these updates tell us?

Changes are due as early as April 2026. These include..
➡️ Day 1 rights to statutory sick pay and removing the lower earnings limit
➡️ Day 1 rights to Paternity Leave and unpaid Parental Leave
➡️ Whistleblowing protections.

Changes due October 2026 include..
➡️ Banning fire and rehire methods
➡️ Strengthening access to Trade Unions
➡️ Reducing employment tribunal time limits.

The controversial Day 1 right to claim unfair dismissal appears to have been pushed back to 2027. Along with other changes including to collective redundancy measures.

The Bill is complex and there are many more changes in addition to what I’ve highlighted above.

Further consultation is ongoing with Royal Ascent planned in September so more updates are likely then.

I’ll continue to post updates here but reach out if you want more details of what’s coming down the track and when PLUS support on how you can prepare NOW.

Time to get ahead and start preparing!🪏

Being a business owner is a lonely place.During my corporate career I was always mindful that the MD’s I supported felt ...
05/06/2025

Being a business owner is a lonely place.

During my corporate career I was always mindful that the MD’s I supported felt the same.

But now as a business owner myself, I get it even more.

During a recent conversation with another HR colleague it got me thinking that, as an HR consultant, there is a key area of support I provide which goes beyond the HR services detailed on my website.

The role?

An impartial sounding board.

Alongside the HR support and advice I provide, business owners often need an impartial sounding board too. They find it helpful to talk through people challenges with someone outside of their business, someone who has no alliances or existing relationships in the business.

Sometimes having the ability to see things from a different perspective, especially when you’re in the thick of it, in a busy and demanding role, can be difficult.

It’s easy to struggle to see the bigger picture, and this can have implications on the people related decisions you make. It could just be a sense check that you’re not missing anything.

Sometimes, just having someone to talk things through with makes all the difference, giving you clarity and confidence and a bit of breathing space in a role that can feel isolating.

It’s more than the HR support, guidance and advice, it’s about having a trusted partner on hand, and in your corner.

Do you have a niggling people challenge that you keep going round and round in your head with?

Stop. Reach out for a chat. And lean on me as your impartial sounding board.

In the meantime I’m off to think of a better job title!



Feedback is important. For me it's important because it helps me to understand if I'm meeting my client's needs and deli...
07/05/2025

Feedback is important. For me it's important because it helps me to understand if I'm meeting my client's needs and delivering real value.🗣️

So I was truly privileged to receive this testimonal from a client I'm honoured to continue to support. With a team of relatively new people managers the need was for them to feel more confident in managing people, to learn and embed HR processes and be able to grow as people managers to develop stronger and more engaged teams.

We continue to work together through practical workshops on HR processes and regular ‘safe space’ sessions to talk through and resolve people challenges; all to empower them in their role as people managers.

It's so rewarding to continue to support them on this journey and watch them thrive.🚀

Thrilled to have been invited to present at this morning’s Compton Care Business Club event.💛I learn something new about...
10/04/2025

Thrilled to have been invited to present at this morning’s Compton Care Business Club event.💛

I learn something new about the fantastic work Compton Care do across the community every time I visit. It was a privilege to share the speaker slots with Kathryn Yarsley who talked about the amazing work she does as a volunteer and then from Emily Thompson who shared the next fundraiser, The Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge - there were a few takers in the room.🙌

It was fantastic to see so many people attend today and hear how the Business Club has grown so quickly over the last 12 months. The more we can support this amazing charity the more vital care and support they can provide in our community.

It was emotional to talk about my personal connection with Compton today but I’m so proud that my business can also support and pay back the vital care they provided to my family.💛

And then we were ONE!🥳A year ago today my 5+ year dream became reality when I launched my own business. A business with ...
05/03/2025

And then we were ONE!🥳

A year ago today my 5+ year dream became reality when I launched my own business. A business with a purpose where I truly felt I was making a difference to others.🙌

There were times I didn’t think I’d do it, asking myself “is it easier to stay in corporate”, “what if I fail”, “what will people think if it doesn’t work out” “what if I can’t get clients”?
Every solopreneur has the same thoughts.

But here’s the thing, if you don’t try you’ll never know!

And for me something had to change. I left corporate deflated and stagnant, wanting more and had a real hunger to learn again. So it was time to leap 🪂

And boy is it a leap with so much to learn….all of a sudden you are the MD, sales, finance, marketing, IT oh and client delivery (the only thing I knew!) all rolled into one!🤯

A year in and I’m very much still learning, everyday is still a school day! And all that I’ve learnt is mainly thanks to the amazing people I’ve met on my journey over the last 14 months, including my lovely clients who took a chance on me - thank you!🙏

I can’t thank all my network enough for all their support, encouragement, guidance, advice and above all having my back. You can’t travel this journey alone and when you find the right people you’re never alone, we’re in it together!🤝

It’s true that it’s constantly hard work but the rewards of knowing you’ve made a difference are so worth it!

Here’s to year 2 🍾

Chuffed to have had my first public speaking event today talking about getting it right when it comes to employing peopl...
31/01/2025

Chuffed to have had my first public speaking event today talking about getting it right when it comes to employing people.😊

My message was to support business owners to feel confident when employing people to support with their business growth as opposed to being scared off by it.📈

Thank you to such an engaging audience of business owners & I'm glad it was useful for you!👍

Wishing friends, colleagues and clients a very Happy New Year and very best wishes for a prosperous 2025!
31/12/2024

Wishing friends, colleagues and clients a very Happy New Year and very best wishes for a prosperous 2025!

Both thrilled and proud that Fern Coaching & HR is now a Business Club member.💛 In there's never been a perfect tim...
04/12/2024

Both thrilled and proud that Fern Coaching & HR is now a Business Club member.💛

In there's never been a perfect time to shout out what an amazing charity Compton Care, and others that provide similar care to families, truly are!

Compton were a life line to my family when we lost my amazing Dad❤️. I'll be forever grateful for the support they provided to us, and have regularly supported them ever since.

Having recently visited the Business Club I knew I simply couldn't miss out on the opportunity for my business to also get involved in supporting them. Looking forward to future events and meeting the wider Business Club community!🙌

What do you get when you cross 2 shufflers, Santa Claus and a great charity?🤔A completed application form to complete th...
27/11/2024

What do you get when you cross 2 shufflers, Santa Claus and a great charity?🤔

A completed application form to complete the 2024 Beacon's Santa Run in aid of the Beacon Centre for the Blind, that's what!🏃

On 8th December Hayley and I will be donning our trainers again in aid of a very good cause. Only this time we'll be in full Santa outfits!🎅

The Beacon Centre for the Blind supports thousands of people with sight loss across the Black Country & Staffordshire to live fuller, more independent lives.

If you'd like to support this fantastic charity please head over to our JustGiving page https://www.justgiving.com/page/hayley-neill-1732652079528?utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=page%2Fhayley-neill-1732652079528&utm_source=FB&utm_campaign=000&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2O7Ca0HH_u4Knr4rCxZkYgitvOPV8DrxtnG6FDHYv8npnaTGunm-LYmek_aem_TI6thX5NI4m9T5UtGD85pA 🙏

If we hit our target we promise to share photos in our outfits.😲

Do you feel guilty for taking time out?Of course the answer should be No and as a HR professional it's something I've al...
19/11/2024

Do you feel guilty for taking time out?

Of course the answer should be No and as a HR professional it's something I've always supported others to do for all the benefits it brings. However.... as a new business owner this is something I'm still adjusting to, so it was lovely to have a long weekend with friends in the Shropshire Hills.

Thankfully we didn't get snowed in and I could make it to Compton Care Business Club this morning followed by a regular visit to support one of my lovely clients.

Surely an employment contract purchased off the internet is ok to use in my business?🤔A question a client asked me in a ...
10/11/2024

Surely an employment contract purchased off the internet is ok to use in my business?🤔

A question a client asked me in a recent HR audit.

My answer? After establishing it was not through a reliable source, was unfortunately No.🚫

And it was the same with their HR policies too.📃

I get it. Being a small business owner is challenging enough never mind trying to juggle all the people related aspects while focusing on growth.

Fortunately, this client reached out for support at the perfect time, as they plan to double their headcount in the next 12 months! 🚀

After conducting a thorough HR audit, we're now collaborating to implement recommendations that ensure compliance and establish robust processes to support their expanding team.

Don't waste money on generic employment documents just to tick a box! Instead, reach out for specialised advice tailored to your unique business needs - saving you time and money.🤝

Let me take the strain on your people related matters giving you peace of mind so you can concentrate on what really matters - growing your business!✨

Book a FREE 30 minute call here 👉 https://calendly.com/fern-coaching-hr/discovery-call

23/10/2024

Is your business prepared for the new sexual harassment laws coming in to force this week?😲

On 26th October The Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023 comes in to force, which states that employers will have a legal responsibility to actively prevent sexual harassment happening in the workplace.⛔

This also includes the requirement for employers to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment by third parties; such as clients, customers, suppliers, or the public.

What is sexual harassment?🤔

Quite simply sexual harassment is any unwanted conduct of a sexual nature that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment. This can include inappropriate comments or actions that undermine a person's dignity and well-being.

It’s important to note that the intention behind the behaviour is irrelevant. What matters is whether the actions create a hostile environment for the person/s affected, regardless of the intent.

Taking no action could be costly!💰

If a tribunal finds that an employer took no action to prevent sexual harassment in any successful claim, the compensation the employer pays to the worker increases by up to 25%!😲

🚀It's time to act – here are some practical steps to take now...

🌿Assess risks – carry out risk assessments to ascertain any current or potential risks.

🌿Set clear expectations - ensure you have an updated harassment policy in place to ensure expectations of behaviour are clear.

🌿Introduce reporting mechanisms - provide confidential channels for workers to report harassment safely.

🌿Educate managers – ensure managers have the knowledge to recognise and address harassment and understand the reporting processes.

🌿Investigate promptly - handle complaints swiftly and conduct fair, consistent, and thorough investigations.

🌿Foster a respectful environment - promote a workplace culture of respect and inclusivity, making it clear that any form of harassment will not be tolerated.

Everyone deserves a safe, respectful and inclusive working environment, yet tribunals claims for harassment have hugely increased in recent years, leading to such laws being introduced.🤝

If you need advice or support to ensure you are compliant and have the right measures in place to protect your workers, book a free 30 minute call with me by emailing [email protected]

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