Scaling your business is an exciting journey but as any founder or business leader knows, bringing on new employees adds a layer of complexity that can quickly become overwhelming. In this episode of the ‘SuperConnector Show’ podcast, Paul Lancaster sat down with Nicky Jolley (Founder & Managing Director, HR2day Limited) to discuss the critical importance of robust HR practices, the shifting legislative landscape & why “flying by the seat of your pants” is a risk no business owner should take.
Here is a handy summary of the key takeaways to help you protect your business & look after your team.
The HR Landscape is Changing
Nicky notes that we are approaching one of the biggest shake-ups in employment law in recent memory. For business owners, this means that outdated practices (or relying on “how things used to be done”) is no longer sustainable or acceptable.
Key changes to prepare for include:
- Day One Rights: Employees will have greater protections from their very first day, including entitlement to statutory sick pay plus paternity, maternity & parental leave.
- Tribunal Timelines: The time limit for lodging tribunal claims is extending from three months to six months, meaning businesses must be more diligent than ever with their record-keeping. If a dispute arises, you may need to recall details & defend your position many months later.
- Stronger Trade Unions: Unions are gaining stronger powers & greater influence. Employers should not be frightened of this but must be prepared, informed & calm.
Stop Doing “HR on the Sofa”
Many business owners & leaders treat HR as an afterthought, often managing it late at night or on the weekend. Nicky warns that this approach is fraught with risk.
- The Cost of Inefficiency: Trying to self-manage complex HR issues often leads to burnout & wasted time that could be better spent growing the business.
- The “Technicality” Trap: Tribunals are increasingly common. Even if you have the best intentions, a minor error in paperwork or process can leave you vulnerable.
- The Value of Expertise: Judges look for fairness & reasonableness. When you rely on outsourced, expert HR support, you aren’t just buying compliance – you are buying peace of mind & the assurance that you are being a responsible employer.
Nicky’s Top Tips for Scaling Businesses
If you are currently hiring or planning to grow, keep these principles in mind:
- Don’t Fly by the Seat of Your Pants: Whether you are new to business or a veteran, don’t rely on intuition alone. Ensure you have the fundamentals like employment contracts & clear policies in place from Day One.
- Treat People as You Want to be Treated: At the core of all good HR is open, transparent, and fair dialogue. If you treat your employees well, document your processes & communicate clearly, you significantly reduce the likelihood of ending up in a tribunal.
- Manage Probation Robustly: With the rise of Day One Rights, the traditional ‘honeymoon period’ of probation is effectively over. You must manage performance & cultural fit formally & transparently from the start.
- Know When to Ask for Help: You don’t have to be an expert in everything. Outsourced HR allows you to access professional support at a fraction of the cost of employing a full-time HR Manager or team.
Next Steps for Your Business
Whether you are just hiring your first employee or managing a growing team, being prepared is the best defence. HR2day Limited offers a range of services, from ad-hoc advice & employee handbook creation to full retained support & fractional HR, designed to fit businesses of all sizes & budgets. Find out more at https://hr2day.co.uk
ps You can also listen to this interview (& more) on Paul’s ‘SuperConnector Show’ podcast which is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible or Spreaker via our ‘Podcasts‘ page.
