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How to develop an effective employee engagement strategy

In this blog post, we’ll explore practical strategies for developing an effective employee engagement strategy tailored to small to medium social sector organisations.

Managing Stress in the Workplace 

In this blog, we’ll explore how to manage workplace stress, starting with recognition of signs of stress, supporting employees using stress risk assessments, and implementing strategies to minimise stress risks within your organisation. 

Movember and Men’s Health

In this blog post, we’ll delve into the origins and significance of Movember, as well as how you can support employees who want to participate.

Supporting Menopause in the Workplace

In the UK, approximately 52% of the population is female, and a significant portion of this demographic will experience perimenopause and menopause. Menopause involves hormonal changes, leading to many physical, emotional, and cognitive symptoms. These symptoms can profoundly impact work performance and overall well-being if not addressed effectively.

Uniting Against Racism: Building an Inclusive Workplace

In our ever-evolving world, fostering an inclusive workplace is not just a goal, but a necessity. Let’s commit to promoting diversity and fighting against racism within our organisations.

Understanding TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings and Protection of Employment) Regulations

What is TUPE? When does TUPE apply? The primary aim of TUPE is to ensure that employees’ T&C’s of employment are preserved when an organisation, or a part of it, is transferred to another.

How to Onboard New Employees for the Best Results

Onboarding is the process of integrating new employees into your organisation and providing them with the right knowledge, skills, and behaviours they need to succeed in their new role. It is an important extension of the recruitment process as it can have a significant impact on employee engagement, productivity, and retention. According to a report… Read more »

How do you know what the right level of reward is for your employees?

After more than 18 months of unprecedented increases to the cost of living, many employees have had to re-evaluate their financial situations. This can include consideration of their income, leaving both employer and employees alike wondering what the right level of pay is within their organisation and how this compares to the market. 

The Rise of Artificial Intelligence: How can social sector employers prepare

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the world of work in unprecedented ways. This blog explores some real-life examples of AI in work and how social sector employers can prepare for the future of work with AI.

Challenges facing HR professionals within social sector organisations

At Roots HR we are seeing our colleagues within the sector handling the many challenges, and in this blog we’ve briefly highlighted some steps that may benefit your organisation.

What is outplacement support and what are the benefits?

Outplacement support is a service typically offered by organisations to employees exiting the business, usually as a result of redundancy, organisational change, restructure or a settlement agreement. Find out all about

Mental Wellbeing at Work (Part 2) – Financial Wellbeing

Financial wellbeing – What can you do as an employer to help your employees?

Mental Wellbeing at Work (Part 1)

This blog looks at how employers can support their employees with maintaining positive mental health while hybrid working.

What benefits could a social sector SME gain from an HR Information System (HRIS)?

What is an HRIS? As a small to medium sized employer why should I invest in an HRIS? Is there an HRIS system that works best for an SME?  

Supporting your employees with their financial wellbeing

It is well documented that the UK is experiencing a cost-of-living crisis as inflation rises with the Office of National Statistics (ONS) reporting that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose to 7.9% in May 2022. Each one of us is experiencing the impact of this through rising food costs, increased costs fuelling our vehicles and… Read more »

Webinar recording – Dealing with Contentious Employment Matters (delivered 8th June 2022)

As the UK’s workforce adapts to working life after lockdown, the employment cases coming into our offices are unfortunately increasingly contentious. If you are a line manager, a senior manager, a Trustee or a Director with some responsibility for people management in an SME social sector organisation, then this webinar is for you.  It will… Read more »

Update on Right to work Checks from April 2022 onwards

Since the start of the Covid pandemic, the Home Office introduced temporary changes to right to work checks. Essentially, it is permitted to acquire evidence of right to work without the need to obtain the physical documents for inspection. This was welcomed by the sector as it allowed employers to employ new staff remotely without… Read more »

Statutory rate and other changes in April 2022

Each April we see changes to statutory payments and may also see new employment legislation being introduced.  

Here is what we know so far for April 2022 …

The post Covid restrictions work environment

Despite restrictions being lifted across the UK, Covid-19 (Covid) remains a risk which employers are balancing with returning to some workplace normality as the furlough scheme comes to an end. Considerations should be give to a number of factors, including: Covid secure workplaces The Health and Safety at Work Act (HASAWA) (1974) places a legal… Read more »

Furlough is ending, what next?

You are likely to be aware that, after 18 months of helping employers cover the wages of employees where the availability of work was affected by Covid-19 (Covid), the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, commonly known as the furlough scheme, comes to an end on 30th September 2021. This scheme has enabled employers to retain their… Read more »

What is hybrid working and could it benefit your organisation and employees?

As we progress through the Government’s roadmap to ease current restrictions many employees and organisations are emerging from long-term homeworking arrangements which were quickly established some 15 months ago. Through this extensive period of homeworking, IT systems and new ways of working have been established paving the way to a potential modern version of work, including hybrid working.

COVID-19 UPDATE: Vaccination Programme

Through the government’s roadmap for the easing national restrictions and the success of the initial roll-out of vaccines, many of us may be wondering if there is finally light at the end of the tunnel. But, the vaccine roll-out is generating a number of queries and concerns from employers within the social sector, including whether… Read more »

How to write a job description and person specification

Let’s imagine you are looking to recruit a role; the first thing I’d advise you to do is spend some time considering the following:

What HR Policies do I need?

A policy is a document providing guidance in specific circumstances, usually to ensure legal compliance and fairness via consistency of approach. Often they contain workplace procedures setting out the steps required in practice.
So what is legally required…?