Zest Expert HR Solutions

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Zest Expert HR Solutions

We help ambitious, values-led businesses grow without the people problems holding them back.

We’re the strategic and hands-on HR partner who gets in, sorts it, and sets up systems that work for real people – not just the policy manual. Every business needs an HR professional – whether it be for hiring staff, drawing up contracts of employment or dealing with employee disputes. Having this resource all in one place will save valuable time, money and reduce risk, therefore helping you to ga

in a competitive edge from your most valuable asset, your staff. From recruitment to retirement and all the stages in between, our services encompasses the entire employment lifecycle.

23/06/2026

Owning a small business often means awkward conversations about performance or office politics fall to you.

Not nice to deal with, we know.

But the longer you put it off, the worse the issues get and the more risk you put yourself in for formal disputes.

And with unfair dismissal rights kicking in at 6 months, you've got less runway than ever to let things drift.

So, what can you do about it?

Take a look below.

19/06/2026

In 2024, 4,599 men in the UK took their own lives.

That's roughly three times the rate for women.

And, in some industries, the risk is even higher. Low-skilled male labourers in construction are three times more likely to die by su***de than the average man in England.

These men are showing up to work every day. They're in your teams, on your payroll. Most of them won't ask for help and many won't show obvious signs.

What they often will do is withdraw and burn out quietly.

If you manage a team with men in it, particularly in hands-on or high-pressure roles, this isn't something you can afford to leave to chance.

Men's Health Week runs from 15-21 June. It's a good reason to start paying attention but it shouldn't be the only one.

16/06/2026

Are your contracts or any policies out of date?

With the Employment Rights Act changes (including new rules around dismissing employees) you might suddenly find your documents aren't accurate.

A contract and policy review is usually the first thing we do with a new client. It's more straightforward than people expect and it gives you a clear picture of where you stand.

Here's what's actually involved and how to get started 👇

12/06/2026

Think a bad hire just wastes a bit of time?

A single bad hire at mid-manager level can cost your business over £132,000. That's more than three times their salary.

What's more, from July 2026, employees gain unfair dismissal rights after just 6 months. That means if a bad hire isn't managed properly from day 1, you could be facing a tribunal claim.

If you want help with tightening up your hiring process or putting a proper probation structure in place, we're here for a confidential chat whenever you're ready.

10/06/2026

June is Pride Month.

Putting a rainbow on your logo doesn't mean much if your policies, language and culture don't back it up.

What does your handbook actually say? How would a new starter know they're safe to be themselves?

We can help you to review your policies and make sure that inclusion is built in, not bolted on.

09/06/2026

Feel like you've hired the wrong person?

This post is for you.

The law is changing and you can't afford to skip the details.

From 1 January 2027, the qualifying period for unfair dismissal drops from 2 years to just 6 months. This affects anyone hired from 1 July 2026 onwards.

It means that if you hire the wrong person, you'll have far less room to exit them without legal risk.

And the cost of a bad hire doesn't stop at tribunal claims.

It's the wasted wages, the management time, the impact on the rest of the team and the disruption of having to start the whole process again.

The best way to protect yourself is to get the hire right in the first place.

Here's how 👇

05/06/2026

From 1 July, every new hire you bring in will be able to claim unfair dismissal after just 6 months.

Business owners, please don't think of this as a future problem.

You're exposed right now if any of these apply to you:

⚫ Your contracts still have 12-month probation clauses
⚫ Your managers aren't documenting performance conversations
⚫ Your onboarding process is basically "here's your laptop, crack on"

The first wave of claims under the new rules could land as early as January 2027. Which sounds far away until you realise that the people you hire next month are the ones who'll be protected.

The average unfair dismissal award is already £13,749. And that's before you factor in legal fees, the time it drains from your team and the cost of replacing someone mid-claim.

This is what you can do now to get ahead.

👇

03/06/2026

From 1 July 2026, fired employees can claim unfair dismissal after just 6 months of working for you.

If you're still hiring on gut feel, winging probation periods or relying on managers to "just handle it", this change might catch you out.

The good news is that you've still got time to get ready.

Here are 5 things to do before the deadline hits.

29/05/2026

When an employee asks for a flexible working arrangement, how do you say yes without causing problems for everyone else?

Flexible working doesn't have to be all or nothing.

There are setups that give your employees what they're asking for while keeping your operations intact.

Below are 6 options that are already working well in other small businesses. Some will suit your team. Some won't. But knowing your options puts you in a stronger position when the next request comes in.

If you want help with putting a flexible working policy together that actually fits how your business runs, we're always here for a chat.

26/05/2026

Big changes are taking place with the Employment Rights Act.

Are you aware of what's happening and what it all means for your business?

We've mapped out the various milestones so that you can see where things stand currently and where to focus next. 👇

If you want some clarity on what you need to take action on, get in touch and we'll be happy to chat things through.

Address

Basingstoke

Website

http://www.zesthr.co.uk/

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