Ladybridge HR Consultancy Limited

14/04/2026

Employment law has seen quite a few changes recently — and we know it can be a lot to keep up with, especially for small businesses.

If you’re feeling unsure or just want to sense-check things, Ladybridge HR are here to help. We’re all about keeping things simple and practical so you can get on with running your business.

30/03/2026

Tracking leave has always been good practice — now it’s a legal obligation.

From April 2026, there’s a new legal requirement employers need to know about.

Businesses must now keep detailed records of annual leave and holiday pay for a minimum of 6 years.

This includes:

*The types of leave taken (statutory + additional)

*Any leave carried over between years

*How holiday pay is calculated (what’s included and excluded)

How effective are your annual leave process and records?

If this is something your business needs help with , contact us for advice and guidance.

27/03/2026

09/03/2026

One of the biggest mistakes organisations make is waiting too long to address workplace issues.

When concerns around behaviour or performance are ignored, they often escalate to formal disciplinary action or even termination. By that stage, the opportunity to support the employee and resolve the issue early has often been missed.

Ladybridge HR promote proactive HR and people management.

We can have those early conversations, set clear expectations, and address concerns before they grow.

Early intervention protects both the organisation and the employee — and usually leads to far better outcomes.

08/03/2026

Happy International Women’s Day!

Today we celebrate the strength, talent, and resilience of women everywhere—especially those working hard across HR and the workplace to build cultures where everyone can thrive.

Here’s to the leaders, mentors, colleagues, and changemakers who inspire progress every day. Your voices, ideas, and impact make workplaces stronger and more inclusive.

Let’s continue supporting, uplifting, and advocating for each other—not just today, but every day.

05/03/2026

Follow the Process – It Matters More Than You Think

In UK employment law, process isn’t just paperwork — it can directly affect tribunal compensation.

When handling disciplinary issues, grievances, or dismissals, employers are expected to follow a fair and reasonable procedure in line with the ACAS Code of Practice. Failing to do so can be costly.

Key point:

If an Employment Tribunal finds that an employer unreasonably failed to follow the ACAS Code, compensation can be increased by up to 25%.

That means even if the original decision might have been justified, poor process can significantly increase financial liability.

Examples of process failures include:

• Not investigating properly

• Failing to hold a fair hearing

• Denying the employee the right to be accompanied

• Skipping appeal stages

This is where Ladybridge HR can help, A fair outcome is important — but how you reach that outcome matters just as much.

Strong HR processes protect:

Employees

Managers

The organisation

And they can prevent avoidable tribunal costs.

18/02/2026

With the upcoming changes to timeframes for unfair dismissal rights, it is more important than ever to ensure that probation periods and performance management processes are structured, clear, and effectively implemented.

Probation periods aren’t just a formality — they’re a critical part of effective people management.

A well-structured probation period helps to:

• Set clear expectations from day one

• Provide regular feedback and support

• Identify performance or capability concerns early

• Ensure the role is the right fit for both the employee and the organisation

But probation only works when it’s actively managed. Regular check-ins, documented objectives, and timely decisions are key. Leaving issues unaddressed until the end of the period can create legal risk, impact team morale, and make difficult conversations harder.

Good probation management isn’t about “catching people out” — it’s about giving people the best chance to succeed while protecting the business.

Strong performance management starts early.