Athena-HR

21/10/2026

A headline this week is one that stands out for employers...

https://hrnews.co.uk/employers-warned-over-growing-legal-risks-of-smart-glasses-in-the-workplace/

With smart glasses becoming increasingly popular, there's a new workplace concern employers might not have considered...

What happens when customers can film your employees without them even knowing?

For hospitality, retail and other customer-facing businesses, it's another reason to think carefully about employee privacy and wellbeing.

💡 Our HR tip?

Don't wait for an uncomfortable situation to happen. Review your workplace policies, make sure employees know how to report concerns and consider how you'll respond to unwanted filming.

Technology is moving quickly, but protecting your people should always remain a priority.

Duty to prevent third-party harassment of staff could lead to bans in hospitality and retail sectors Employers should review their workplace policies as a new generation of increasingly discreet smartglasses create fresh legal risks around data protection, confidentiality, privacy and workplace hara...

19/10/2026

Yes...Christmas is looming… but the sparkle shouldn't just be for December!

Christmas parties, festive treats and year end celebrations are lovely ways to thank your team for their hard work.

But a little reminder that making your employees feel valued shouldn't just be a 'once a year' thing!

A simple thank you, recognising someone's hard work, checking in or showing a little flexibility can make just as much difference as the Christmas party.

After all, a happy workplace isn't built in December, it's built throughout the year. 💜

And that's your little HR reminder as we start talking about the christmas festivities, the parties & the end of year success...

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15/10/2026

As we head into the final few months of the year, here are 3 things to keep on your radar...

Get ahead of annual leave.

Check in on workloads.

Don't wait for annual reviews.

Good HR is about spotting the little things before they become big things. 💜

13/10/2026

Why trust us with your HR?

One minute everything’s ticking along nicely, the next you’re dealing with a tricky conversation, an unexpected absence, a grievance or a situation that leaves you thinking… what on earth do I do here...?

We’re here to be the person you can pick up the phone to, ask the question you think might be silly (it probably isn’t!) and get a straight answer.

No scary HR jargon.
No making things more complicated than they need to be.
And definitely no judgement.

Just friendly, practical HR support from people who know their stuff and genuinely care about getting it right for you, your business and your team.

Think of us as your HR people… without needing your own HR department. We'd love to work alongside you!

09/10/2026

💚 10th October - World Mental Health Day 💚

Heading into the weekend and World Mental Health Day being tomorrow, it's a reminder that Mental health at work isn’t just an HR issue when someone is struggling.

It’s shaped every day by the workplace we create.

By workloads that are manageable.
By managers who know how to have difficult conversations.
By employees feeling able to say “I’m struggling” without worrying about how it will be received.
By spotting changes in someone before they reach breaking point.
And sometimes, simply by asking twice when someone says “I’m fine.”

This World Mental Health Day, it’s a good reminder that supporting mental health at work doesn’t always require a big wellbeing initiative.

Sometimes it starts with better management, better communication and a workplace where people feel safe enough to be human.



*Photo supplied on WHO website*

08/10/2026

It’s National Work Life Week! ⚖️

Running from 5–9 October, this week has been all about getting employers and employees talking about wellbeing at work and that all-important work-life balance.

Because a healthy workplace shouldn’t just be about how productive people are while they’re there - it should recognise that people have lives, families, responsibilities and priorities outside of work too.

Flexible working, realistic expectations and a culture where people can actually switch off all make a difference.

Work should be part of your life, not all of it. 🧡

Who recognises the famous quote? Points if you comment who said it below...

07/10/2026

But when does workplace banter cross the line?

Harassment isn’t always obvious. Sometimes it’s brushed off as humour, someone’s personality or “they didn’t mean anything by it.”

It could be repeated comments about someone’s appearance, sexual jokes, unwanted messages or behaviour from a customer or client that makes an employee uncomfortable.

The intention doesn’t erase the impact.

A respectful workplace doesn’t mean removing humour. It means people know where the line is, feel able to speak up when it’s crossed and know something will be done about it.

With workplace harassment firmly on the HR agenda this October, now is a good time to make sure your policies and your workplace culture are up to scratch.

We can review what you currently have in place, identify any gaps and help make sure your business is prepared before the new requirements take effect. Drop us a message or email us on [email protected].

05/10/2026

Later this month, employment law around workplace harassment is changing.

Employers will be expected to take ALL reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace and protections will extend to harassment from third parties too, including customers, clients, contractors and others your employees come into contact with through work.

And this is the important bit…

Having a policy tucked away in a handbook isn’t enough.

Businesses need to be able to show that they are actively taking steps to prevent harassment.

That could mean reviewing your risk assessments, making sure reporting procedures are clear, providing appropriate training, considering where employees interact with third parties and, importantly, making sure managers know what to do when a concern is raised.

Ensuring you are HR ready for Q4 with 30th October fast approaching, now is a very good time to ask:

Are we actually prepared for this change?

If the answer is “I’m not entirely sure…” - that’s where Athena HR can help.

We can review what you currently have in place, identify any gaps and help make sure your business is prepared before the new requirements take effect. Drop us a message or email us on [email protected] 📩

02/10/2026

October has a way of reminding us that seasons change and so do we. 🍁

A new month, a new season, and that unmistakable shift into the final stretch of the year.

October can be a good moment to look up from the day-to-day and notice how far you’ve come since January when the challenges at the start of Q1, probably look very different now! The things you have overcome, the conversations had, the people who’ve grown and everything you’ve learnt along the way.

There are still three months left of the year to make them count.

Hello, October. 🍁

29/09/2026

A lovely recent testimonial from someone who attended our Grievance in the Workplace workshop.

We’re always so grateful to everyone who chooses to book onto our workshops. Not only are you supporting our business, but you’re taking that knowledge and expertise back into your own workplace to support your people, too.

And ultimately, that’s exactly why we do it.

Thank you for trusting us to be part of it. If this is a topic you need to work on to, email us on [email protected] and find out when our next workshop is!