The HR Dept Bristol, Bath & North Somerset

10/09/2026

The HR Dept has responded to the Government consultation on zero hours and similar contracts, outlining the significant implications for small and medium sized businesses.

Whilst we do support the overall goal of improving job security and predictability for employees, we believe the proposed changes will be unnecessarily complex, time consuming and costly for SMEs.

We have instead proposed an alternative mechanism, with ten key recommendations for the government.

Read more here: https://www.hrdept.co.uk/knowledge-hub/employment-law-updates/hr-dept-responds-to-government-consultation-on-zero-hour-and-similar-contracts

The HR Dept has responded on to the recent Government consultation on changes to zero-hour and similar contracts, on behalf of SMEs across the country. As…

09/09/2026

When a coastline is threatened by huge waves, the answer to prevent yourself being inundated is to put up defences – you cannot stop the waves from coming, but you can dissipate their energy.

It is a tactic that can be applied to dealing with AI grievances too. Because across the country there are reports of a tidal wave of AI-drafted grievances inundating businesses.

You have to manage them whether they are erroneous or not – because sticking your head in the sand and letting them wash over you could well lead to a penalty at a tribunal for procedural errors regardless of the justification for the grievance. In our latest blog, we explain how to spot an AI grievance and why it is essential that you know how to manage them: https://www.hrdept.co.uk/knowledge-hub/blog/tips-for-dealing-with-ai-grievances

04/09/2026

This week our advisors have been busy supporting businesses with a wide variety of HR matters including:

director service agreements
investigations
grievances
redundancies
HR admin
fixed term contracts
staff surveys
appeals
Employment Rights Act updates
training
and more...

Find out how we can support the HR function in your business call us on 0117 970 2955 or visit our website www.hrdept.co.uk

02/09/2026

At the time of the Roman Empire, salt was so coveted by soldiers that they were partly paid with it. In fact “sal” (salt in Latin), is the root of the word “salary” today. The saying “worth their salt” refers to assessing whether a centurion was up to the job!

Romans were so addicted to this white stuff that the famous writer Pliny the Elder observed “Life cannot be lived humanely without salt”.

When we think of addiction nowadays, it is of more serious substances than salt. Alcohol and drugs spring to mind; and there are behavioural addictions too, like gambling.

They are deeply personal conditions, but ones that can have heavy implications in the workplace. In our latest blog, we explain why it is essential that you know how to manage it, should an employee develop an addiction: https://www.hrdept.co.uk/knowledge-hub/blog/what-should-you-do-if-an-employee-is-suffering-from-addiction

27/08/2026

30th October sees trade union rights expanded again under the Employment Rights Act, this time with sweeping new access rights to workplaces. It only applies to businesses with 21 or more employees, but this includes total numbers spread across multiple sites which will bring more businesses within its scope.

The access includes both physical spaces and digital infrastructure.

The idea is that if you are approached by any trade union, whether you already recognise one or not, you need to negotiate access within the bounds of the new law. If agreement cannot be reached, a Central Arbitration Committee (CAC) has been established which will decide and dictate what happens. Non-compliance can lead to significant penalties of tens, or even hundreds, of thousands of pounds.

We explore this further, along with sick notes, National cycle to work day, and more.
To read these articles in full, and find out the latest from the world of HR, check out our newsletter here: https://www.hrdept.co.uk/knowledge-hub/newsletters/people-matter-august-2026

26/08/2026

By civilised standards, sexual harassment has never been acceptable in the workplace. But all too often it occurs, despite the Equality Act and other legislation before it.

As you probably know, the Government implemented new rules in 2024 which put a proactive duty on employers to prevent sexual harassment under the Worker Protection Act. And now just two years later (from October), the duties of prevention on you the employer go further.

In our latest blog, we explain employers' growing legal duty to prevent workplace sexual harassment and how effective training can support compliance : https://www.hrdept.co.uk/knowledge-hub/blog/reducing-the-risk-with-sexual-harassment-training

24/08/2026

From universities not probing outlandish claims to governments dismissing security vetting, public life is full of high-profile errors in the recruitment process.

Even when you get it right, recruitment is expensive. From the time you or your managers invest in it, to advertising and recruiter costs. And then there is the induction and training process while they get up to speed.

But get it wrong, and not only have you paid for all of the above, but you also have to absorb the cost of their shortcomings in whatever form they take, plus going through the whole process again.

In our latest blog, we explain some common mistakes that companies make, plus a better way of doing it: https://www.hrdept.co.uk/knowledge-hub/blog/do-you-make-these-mistakes-in-recruitment

21/08/2026

Need occasional guidance or ongoing support? Call us on 0117 970 2955 to find out how we can help your business thrive.

20/08/2026

Recruitment can be a minefield and is vitally important to your business that you get it right.

We've put together some FAQs to help you.

For further advice, call us on 0117 970 2955.

19/08/2026

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