In episode 14 of Engage, Alistair shares the details of the new national living wage that was announced by George Osborne at last week’s budget, which comes into effect in April 2016. The new wage will be paid to workers aged 25 and above. Initially, it will be set at £7.20 an hour, with a target of it reaching more than £9 an hour by 2020. Part-time and full-time workers also qualify for this. As you may know, the current national minimum wage is due to rise to £6.70 in October this year and many SME businesses had already forecast for this but hadn’t any indication about this further increase. The new living wage in April is expected to give a pay rise to six million workers but is expected to cost 60,000 jobs and reduce hours worked by four million a week, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility. Alistair shares some of the benefits of paying the current living wage (£7.85 per hour) which is not legally enforceable, and this is which is promoted by the Living Wage Foundation. The HR Booth are looking to ensure clients have the right staffing levels, and have people scheduled to work at the right time. It’s an opportunity when forecasting to look at your flexibility and shifts, ensuring you can perhaps get more productivity to offset the increase. If you’re doing anything different, then please get in touch to share your feedback. For further information on this podcast, you can contract Alistair directly via email – [email protected], or via the website www.thehrbooth.co.uk Disclaimer: You must not rely on the information in this podcast as an alternative to Human Resource Management advice from an appropriately qualified professional. If you have any specific questions about any Human Resource Management matter you should consult an appropriately qualified professional. You should never delay seeking Human Resource Management advice, disregard Human Resource Management advice, or commence or discontinue any Human Resource Management action because of information in this podcast. Please contact The HR Booth directly for specific advice and guidance.

In episode 13 of Engage, Alistair discusses the importance of linking HR management with customer service in your business. Businesses invest in developing their employees, either via internal or external courses, but often don’t measure the effectiveness, or check this training is embedded. Via HR management, you can ensure customer service training is embedded and that your people deliver the great service your customers expect, ensuring you get the value from your training. A good way to measure the effectiveness is to carry out observations, ensuring your management team are trained and there is a framework to carry out observations. You want to catch people doing the right things, and give them feedback, but you also want to ensure anyone not doing what you expect that you can tackle this as quickly as possible. In doing so, your staff are aware you are observing them and this all helps drive customer service. If you would like to know more about how to link HR management and customer service in your business, please get in touch – [email protected] or via www.thehrbooth.co.uk The HR Booth now have a new “Question” section on the blog, where you ask we answer. This is aimed at helping businesses with HR challenges that come up – you can find this section here: http://thehrbooth.co.uk/blog/questions/ For further information on this podcast, you can contract Alistair directly via email – [email protected], via the website www.thehrbooth.co.uk Disclaimer: You must not rely on the information in this podcast as an alternative to Human Resource Management advice from an appropriately qualified professional. If you have any specific questions about any Human Resource Management matter you should consult an appropriately qualified professional. You should never delay seeking Human Resource Management advice, disregard Human Resource Management advice, or commence or discontinue any Human Resource Management action because of information in this podcast. Please contact The HR Booth directly for specific advice and guidance.

In episode 12 of Engage Alistair discusses the benefits of defining roles and responsibilities in your organisation and the use of job descriptions. Over the past few weeks Alistair has been delivering a range of workshops , and common themes through the managing difficult conversations subject has been the roles and responsibilities piece. Alistair mentioned job descriptions away back in one of the first episodes when he was talking about recruitment, but in this episode it’s more relevant for existing employees and using as a framework to manage people. A good job description or roles and responsibilities document should contain the following:- • Title of the job • Where the role sits within the team, department and wider business • Who the role reports to, and other key interactions • Key areas of responsibility and the deliverable expected • Short, medium and long-term objectives • Required education and training • Soft skills and personality traits • Location and travel requirements • Salary range and benefits available • Discuss the company’s culture We’re also helping another client with their expansion plans, looking at succession planning but ensuring the new roles that are created have defined job descriptions. This not only helps the people moving into these roles know what is expected of them but allows the manager or business owner to support, guide and manage the people performing the role. Job descriptions should be flexible but it’s important to communicate the key elements of the role. Sharing roles and responsibilities of your management team with the people they work for is good practice as it sets expectations and clarity. Thanks for listening and if you would like to get in touch, you can do so via email, our website, and on Twitter. I’d also be happy to share examples of job descriptions or roles and responsibilities if this is something you’d like help with. For further information on this podcast, you can contract Alistair directly via email – [email protected], via the website www.thehrbooth.co.uk Disclaimer: You must not rely on the information in this podcast as an alternative to Human Resource Management advice from an appropriately qualified professional. If you have any specific questions about any Human Resource Management matter you should consult an appropriately qualified professional. You should never delay seeking Human Resource Management advice, disregard Human Resource Management advice, or commence or discontinue any Human Resource Management action because of information in this podcast. Please contact The HR Booth directly for specific advice and guidance.

In episode 11 of Engage, Alistair discusses the benefits of building relationships with Trade Union or Employee Representatives in the workplace. Alistair recently attended the annual HR Network Conference in Edinburgh, with the focus very much on workplace culture. Alistair believes the relationships you adopt with your representative groups and employees helps shape the culture of your organisation. Alistair has worked in unionised and non-unionised companies, and has seen it first hand how effective or damaging these relationships can be. Deciding how you wish to structure relations with your employees can help benefit your business. If you recognise a trade union, it will benefit your business if you enjoy a good working relationship with its representatives. You may also benefit from union expertise on issues such as health and safety, drawing up disciplinary procedures, training, etc. This episode will help you understand the role of a trade union, the benefits of union recognition and how to work effectively with union representatives. You can also get some constructive feedback from your union reps on how their members are feeling, and sound them out on new ways of working. ACAS have developed a good guidance booklet on Trade Union representation and details can be found HERE Whether or not you recognise a trade union, you must still allow your employees the right to be accompanied at disciplinary and grievance hearings by a Trade Union official if they wish to do so. Refusing a request could land you in trouble as it’s a statutory right to be accompanied and therefore an employee could raise a claim to an employment tribunal. Businesses who don’t recognise Trade Unions can still benefit from creating employee forums or working parties, with employee representatives appointed to represent different areas of the business. Alistair has seen these groups work well and not so well, and shares some good practice on this area. ACAS have also produced an advisory booklet on representation at work. Click here for more information. By involving your employee or TU reps, you can create a positive working environment, get real time feedback on what the issues are, and test out new ideas to help drive your business forward. For further information on this podcast, you can contract Alistair directly via email – [email protected], via the website www.thehrbooth.co.uk Disclaimer: You must not rely on the information in this podcast as an alternative to Human Resource Management advice from an appropriately qualified professional. If you have any specific questions about any Human Resource Management matter you should consult an appropriately qualified professional. You should never delay seeking Human Resource Management advice, disregard Human Resource Management advice, or commence or discontinue any Human Resource Management action because of information in this podcast. Please contact The HR Booth directly for specific advice and guidance.

In episode 10 of Engage, Alistair Booth discusses the benefits of developing your people, specifically your management team, and how you think about HR in your business. Quite often we focus on the task, and don’t think about how we engage with our people. Alistair talks about workshops he has been running with clients, offsite and onsite, and enabling the management team to learn how to give feedback and hold difficult conversations. Alistair also discusses the benefits of doing so and helping newly promoted supervisors adjust to their new role, along with the benefits of planning, and how you look at HR in your business, including: Recruitment Induction Staff Development Culture Mindset Support Why not take an hour from your routine and think about how you approach HR in your organisation? Alistair also shares details of the workshops The HR Booth are running over the coming months, and further information can be found by clicking this link - http://thehrbooth.co.uk/services/training-development/ You can reach out to Alistair on twitter @TheHrBooth, by email [email protected] or via www.thehrbooth.co.uk Disclaimer: You must not rely on the information in this podcast as an alternative to Human Resource Management advice from an appropriately qualified professional. If you have any specific questions about any Human Resource Management matter you should consult an appropriately qualified professional. You should never delay seeking Human Resource Management advice, disregard Human Resource Management advice, or commence or discontinue any Human Resource Management action because of information in this podcast. Please contact The HR Booth directly for specific advice and guidance.

In episode 9 of Engage, Alistair Booth discusses the Shared Parental Leave regulations that came into effect on 5 April 2015. This is a new system of shared parental leave which replaces additional paternity leave, for parents of babies due from 5th April. Shared parental leave overlaps with a mother’s right to take maternity leave and exists alongside her partner’s right to take one or two weeks’ paternity leave. It replaces the right to additional paternity leave. However, not everyone qualifies for shared parental leave; both parents need to have at least 26 weeks’ service with their current employer and earn at least the minimum threshold needed to qualify for maternity allowance. KEY POINTS TO NOTE: Each parent must give eight weeks’ notice of his or her intention to take shared parental leave (in the mother’s case, this will be in addition to the notice that she must give in relation to her maternity leave). The employer is also entitled to see a copy of the child’s birth certificate and to be given the other parent’s national insurance number and the name and address of his or her employer. SHARED PARENTAL LEAVE KEY FACTS After 2 or 4 weeks’ compulsory maternity leave following the baby’s birth, a mother can opt to take the remaining leave as “shared parental leave” – which can then be shared with the baby’s father Both parents can take leave at the same time Leave can be taken in several separate “blocks” All leave must be used by the baby’s first birthday You can reach out to Alistair on twitter @TheHrBooth, by email [email protected] or via www.thehrbooth.co.uk Disclaimer: You must not rely on the information in this podcast as an alternative to Human Resource Management advice from an appropriately qualified professional. If you have any specific questions about any Human Resource Management matter you should consult an appropriately qualified professional. You should never delay seeking Human Resource Management advice, disregard Human Resource Management advice, or commence or discontinue any Human Resource Management action because of information in this podcast. Please contact The HR Booth directly for specific advice and guidance.

In episode 8 of Engage Alistair Booth discusses the steps employers should take in the event they need to take disciplinary action with an employee. Alistair believes having detailed procedures can avoid such issues but more importantly managers need to be consistent when applying the rules to ensure employees fully understand what is expected of them, and to ensure fairness and consistency. If you do not currently have disciplinary procedures in place, you should follow the ACAS guidance, and you can do so by clicking here. Covered in this episode: The importance of formal policies, procedures and clear communication; The potential issues with inconsistencies in enforcing policies and procedures; Empowering your management team to look after the people in your organisation; The steps you can take to avoid a disciplinary hearing; An overview of the necessary steps and guidelines to follow for conducting a disciplinary hearing. You can reach out to Alistair on twitter @TheHrBooth, by email [email protected] or via www.thehrbooth.co.uk Disclaimer: You must not rely on the information in this podcast as an alternative to Human Resource Management advice from an appropriately qualified professional. If you have any specific questions about any Human Resource Management matter you should consult an appropriately qualified professional. You should never delay seeking Human Resource Management advice, disregard Human Resource Management advice, or commence or discontinue any Human Resource Management action because of information in this podcast. Please contact The HR Booth directly for specific advice and guidance.

In episode 7 of Engage Alistair Booth discusses the benefits a Modern Apprentice could bring to your business. Modern Apprentices could work in a range of jobs and not just trades. As part of the arrangement the apprentice would complete a Scottish Vocational Qualification in an appropriate subject, relevant to the job. Alistair has engaged with his local school and is doing a lot of great work helping to prepare pupils for work. If you hire a modern apprentice, you could benefit from: Funding towards part of their salary during the first 6 to 12 months Funding for the relevant SVQ qualification Attracting someone with a positive attitude who is keen to learn Support from Skills Development Scotland on the recruitment process – saving you time and money Social media knowledge IT skills Developing your existing workforce by allowing them to coach and mentor Growing your business Gaining more customers The benefits a Modern Apprentice give you is the fact you can get someone with a positive attitude, someone who is keen to learn, and someone that you can develop and nurture. The Modern Apprentice route is normally 16 to 24 year olds, so it’s not just school leavers you can attract but others who have perhaps not made the right career choices on leaving school, or have just not had the right opportunities. If you’d like to know more click here to check out the skills development Scotland website. You can reach out to Alistair on twitter @TheHrBooth, by email [email protected] or via www.thehrbooth.co.uk Disclaimer: You must not rely on the information in this podcast as an alternative to Human Resource Management advice from an appropriately qualified professional. If you have any specific questions about any Human Resource Management matter you should consult an appropriately qualified professional. You should never delay seeking Human Resource Management advice, disregard Human Resource Management advice, or commence or discontinue any Human Resource Management action because of information in this podcast. Please contact The HR Booth directly for specific advice and guidance.

In episode 6 of Engage Alistair Booth shares insight with you into the process of performance management and appraisals using two organisational case study examples. Firstly an organisation who is rolling out an appraisal process for the first time, and secondly a more mature organisation who is developing their performance management process that they have been using for a number of years. This episode follows on from episode 5 Part 1 and Part 2 on managing absence in the work place and ties in with episode 4 on the benefits of communicating organisational objectives with your employees. Alistair also shares with you... Reviewing existing appraisal practices; The benefits of implementing an appraisal scheme; Aligning appraisal process with overarching business objectives; Managing team development through appraisal; The benefits of management being heavily involved in the process of feedback and communications; The emotional aspect of appraisals from the perspective of the employee and team member; Why you should consider removing scoring matrices for formal performance review; Making difficult conversations easier. You can reach out to Alistair on twitter @TheHrBooth, by email [email protected] or via www.thehrbooth.co.uk Disclaimer: You must not rely on the information in this podcast as an alternative to Human Resource Management advice from an appropriately qualified professional. If you have any specific questions about any Human Resource Management matter you should consult an appropriately qualified professional. You should never delay seeking Human Resource Management advice, disregard Human Resource Management advice, or commence or discontinue any Human Resource Management action because of information in this podcast. Please contact The HR Booth directly for specific advice and guidance.