Robinson Grace HR Consultancy

05/06/2026

🎓Legionella Awareness Training - Training Course🎓

Understand the dangers associated with legionella and how to reduce the risk that it presents.

When: 18 June 2026 13:30 - 16:30
Where: MS Teams

For more information, visit https://www.robinsongracehr.com/training-courses

Get in touch to book your place! https://www.robinsongracehr.com/contact-us

03/06/2026

Robinson Grace HR Consultancy Director was pleased to contribute to this article on the increasing violence against front line staff in the UK. Sadly, this isn't isolated to transport. We are seeing escalating levels of physical violence across schools and retail too. For any organisation with public-facing staff, workplace violence is a growing and pressing concern that demands a proactive response, not simply a reactive one.

03/06/2026

The Employment Tribunal backlog has hit almost 72,000 claims. Some unfair dismissal cases are now facing waits of up to FIVE years for a full hearing.

That's not a system under pressure. That's a system that simply isn't coping or fit for purpose.

And behind every claim is a real person. An employee in limbo. An employer carrying risk and uncertainty for years. The harsh reality? Once a dispute reaches tribunal, everyone loses time, money, and energy regardless of the outcome.

The best protection isn't a good lawyer. It's getting the HR basics right before things escalate: clear processes, consistent management, good documentation, and early intervention when issues arise.

If you're not sure whether your HR practices would stand up to scrutiny, that's worth finding out now, not in five years' time when a case comes before the judge. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp9pj2pk2j7o

Employment tribunal service delays mean people bringing unfair dismissal claims are waiting up to five years in England and Wales.

01/06/2026

Are you using fixed term contracts in your business? If so, this is worth a few minutes of your time.

The Employment Rights Act 2025 is bringing changes that may affect how you use Fixed Term contracts.

From 1 January 2027, employees will gain unfair dismissal rights after just six months (down from two years). For fixed term contracts, that's a big deal.

Something we want to flag first: non-renewal of a fixed term contract is already a dismissal in law. It doesn't just "expire". That surprises a lot of employers. From 2027, you'll also need a fair reason for non-renewal AND a fair process to back it up, just the same as any other dismissal.

Here's a practical checklist to help you prepare:

✅ Audit your current FTCs and identify who hits six months before or after January 2027
✅ Review your non-renewal process (a letter on its own won't be enough)
✅ Update your Fixed Term contract templates and manager guidance
✅ Be honest about whether any FTCs are really just covering permanent roles

If you're unsure where to start or want help reviewing your approach, get in touch. We offer straight-talking HR advice with no jargon.

www.robinsongracehr.com | 01793 311937

29/05/2026

From next month, every new recruit could have unfair dismissal protection by January 2027. That should be making us all as employers, sit up and think.

Many businesses lean heavily on probation periods as a low-risk exit route. The Employment Rights reforms are changing that entirely.

Now is the time to ask whether your contracts, probation clauses, and onboarding processes actually fit for purpose? Are managers documenting concerns from day one? A weak process today could become a costly claim in 2027.

The employers in the strongest position will be those preparing now, not next January.

We're offering practical employment law health checks covering contracts, probation, onboarding, performance management, and disciplinary procedures. Drop me an email if you'd like to find out more or have a general chat about how these changes might affect your business.

www.robinsongracehr.com

27/05/2026

The government has announced a pilot scheme to scrap fit notes in parts of England, and for employers managing sickness absence, this is worth paying attention to.

Currently, 9 in 10 fit notes sign employees off work entirely, with limited support to help them return to the workplace. The pilots plan to trial conversations with employers about adjustments that could help people come back sooner. In some areas, GPs will stop issuing fit notes altogether and refer patients directly to support services.

What does this mean in practice for you as an employer? It puts more emphasis on the employer-employee conversation about return to work, which many businesses are already having, but sometimes without the right framework in place.

Now is a good time to review:

How you manage sickness absence and return-to-work meetings
What reasonable adjustments you can offer
Whether your policies reflect current best practice

This is still a pilot, so nothing changes overnight. But the direction of travel is clear — employers will need to be more proactive, not less, when it comes to supporting employees back into work.

If you'd like support reviewing your sickness absence processes or return-to-work policies, we're here to help.

Read more about the pilot: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy82pxlmmyno

Find out how we can support your business: https://www.robinsongracehr.com

The government says the system is "broken", with too many people signed off work with no help to return.

26/05/2026

🎓COSHH Management - Training Course🎓

Develop knowledge in all areas of COSHH management, focusing on legal and moral duties in the workplace.

When: 11 June 2026 13:30 - 16:30
Where: MS Teams

For more information, visit https://www.robinsongracehr.com/training-courses

21/05/2026

🎓Managing Unsatisfactory Performance & Conduct - Training Course🎓

When: 3 June 2026 (4 hours)
Where: MS Teams

For more information, visit https://www.robinsongracehr.com/training-courses

Get in touch to book your place! https://www.robinsongracehr.com/contact-us

18/05/2026

Is there a benefit from holding return-to-work meetings?

According to research by ACAS (acas.org.uk), carrying out a return to work meeting is one of the most effective ways to manage attendance and reduce absence.

Benefits include but aren't limited to:
🔹Making sure employees really are well enough to return to work
🔹 Updating employees on news that has occurred in their absence
🔹 Identifying whether any workplace adjustments might be required
🔹 Discussing reasons for absence and whether a proactive approach could minimise days off

Find out more about the benefits and learn how to get the best out these meetings for the welfare of your employees and your business in our blog >> https://zcu.io/14Rk