Briefings

HR thinking, minus the waffle.

Short, honest guides from the studio, written for founders in the middle of it.

ERA 20257 min

Third-party harassment: what employers must do from 30 October 2026

From 30 October 2026 employers can be liable when customers, clients or contractors harass their staff. Who counts as a third party, what levers you have, and what to do now.

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ERA 20256 min

All reasonable steps: what changes for employers on 30 October 2026

From 30 October 2026 employers must take all reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment, and must not permit third parties to harass their staff. What the Act actually says, and what to do before the deadline.

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ERA 20253 min

Tribunal time limits double on 1 October 2026: what it means if you are managing someone out

From 1 October 2026 most employment tribunal claims have a six month time limit, not three months. What changes, the transitional rule, and what employers should do now.

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Everyday HR10 min

Employee off sick — what can I do as an employer?

What UK employers can do when an employee is off sick. SSP rules, long-term sickness absence, Occupational Health, capability dismissal, and how ERA 2025 changes affect sickness management.

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ERA 202512 min

Employment Rights Act 2025 — what do employers need to do?

What UK employers need to do about the Employment Rights Act 2025. Unfair dismissal after 6 months, uncapped compensation, day-one family rights, and practical steps for small businesses.

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Everyday HR10 min

How to handle a grievance as a small business (UK)

Step-by-step grievance procedure for UK small businesses. ACAS Code of Practice, common mistakes, when grievances overlap with disciplinaries and sickness, and when to involve a solicitor.

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Everyday HR11 min

Can I dismiss someone for poor performance in the UK?

Step-by-step guide to fair dismissal for poor performance in the UK. Capability procedure, warnings, ERA 2025 changes, and when to involve solicitor-led HR support.

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When you need Bonsai9 min

I gave shares to my employee but didn't get a shareholders' agreement — what now?

Gave shares to an employee without a shareholders' agreement? Here are your options for share buy-back, constitutional tidy-up, and managing the employment exit without creating a bigger mess.

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When you need Bonsai9 min

Should I make my star employee a director?

Thinking about making a star employee a director? What UK law says about statutory directors, the risks of casual board appointments, alternatives to director status, and how to do it properly.

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