The HR Booth: Recent Episodes
The HR Booth
Our HR consultancy and support services keep your business compliant and primed for growth while freeing up time for you to focus on your business. Listen to our podcast for news and advice on all things HR. If you're looking to learn more about redundancy, outplacement, recruitment, Covid-19 in the workplace, on-boarding, and all things HR, you've come to the right place.
Welcome to our newest podcast series, Lightning Podcasts with The HR Booth. This will be a series of short podcast episode, perfect for the commute to work or a late-night walk to wind down after a busy day.
In this episode, Alistair talks us through Men's Mental Health Awareness Week, the importance of prioritising Mental Health in the Workplace, and the steps you can take to do this.
"Slowness is a superpower"
We were delighted to have journalist, best-selling author, motivational speaker and all-round nice guy, Carl Honoré, on the podcast.
He joins Alistair to speak about the importance of slowing down at the workplace, and the benefits this can have.
You can check out Carl's website here - https://linktr.ee/carlhonore
Alistair & Rennie recently attended the Annual CIPD Scotland Conference 2024 through in Edinburgh. This proved to be a worthwhile and informative day out. In this episode, Alistair discusses his experience, with some input from keynote speakers as well as best practice shared between HR professionals.
In this episode, Alistair talks us through the steps a business can take before redundancy. He also touches on how to manage employees during a recession period.
Today is International Women's Day! This week, Alistair is joined by one of our HR Consultants, Sam. Sam talks us through her career to date, the barriers she has faced and ultimately overcome. Sam also discusses her experience at The HR Booth so far since joining in January.
Today is Employee Appreciation Day. Originally created back in 1995 by Dr. Bob Nelson, this is a day to recognise your staff. Alistair talks us through why it is important to regularly recognise and reward your employee. Although if you ask us, every day is Employee Appreciation Day!
We recently passed 200 subscribers on YouTube! To celebrate, Alistair talks us through the importance of social media, how it can grow your business, and how a consistent social media schedule has helped The HR Booth expand.
In this episode, Alistair is joined by our Digital Marketing Apprentice, Rennie, to go over what his apprenticeship has been like so far, common misconceptions over apprenticeships and why you should consider one.
In this episode, Alistair discusses the types of apprenticeships available to employers. With employers concerned about an ageing workforce, succession planning and a shortage of talent, this episode discusses Trades Apprenticeships, Modern Apprenticeships and Graduate Apprenticeships.Skills Development Scotland have lots of information available to employers and you can find some good resources to help you attract and develop young talent.
In this episode, Alistair talks about some of the recruitment challenges facing businesses and some of the innovative strategies businesses can do to help combat this.
There is no one size fits all and what works for one business might not work for another.
In this episode, Alistair discusses some of the following:
Utilising Social Media for Recruitment:
AI and Applicant Tracking Systems
Employee Referral Programmes with Incentives:
Hosting Virtual Career Fairs and Webinars
Flexible Work and Hybrid Working Arrangements
Internship and Apprenticeship Programmes
Strong Employer Branding
Inclusive Recruitment Practices
Data-Driven Recruitment
Partnering with Educational Institutions
Employee departures are an inevitable aspect of any organisation. Whether employees leave due to personal reasons, career advancement, or dissatisfaction, it’s crucial for leaders to understand the underlying factors that drive such departures.
In this episode, Alistair will explore the importance of comprehending employee departures from a leadership perspective and delve into strategies that can help leaders address this issue effectively.
For more information on employee departures, read our latest blog post: https://www.thehrbooth.co.uk/blog/understanding-employee-departures/
In today's competitive business landscape, your most valuable asset is your people. To succeed and thrive, you need a well-thought-out People Plan that focuses on attracting, retaining, and developing top talent.
In this episode, Alistair will walk you through everything you need to know about creating a comprehensive People Plan that will drive your organisation's success.
In this episode, Alistair shares some tools and strategies managers can use when employees do not react positively to constructive feedback.
In business, providing constructive feedback is a crucial tool for employee growth and development. However, not all employees react positively to feedback, and some may resort to deflection tactics when they receive feedback they dislike. As a manager, it's important to handle these situations delicately to maintain a healthy work environment and promote continuous improvement. In this episode, we'll outline strategies for dealing with deflection tactics when an employee doesn't like the feedback they've received.
If you would like HR support, feel free to contact us: https://www.thehrbooth.co.uk/contact/
In this episode, Alistair discusses some of the problems The HR Booth solve for businesses. There are too many to cover in one episode, so Alistair has attempted to capture some of the key problems and solutions.
This includes:
*Cost efficiency
*Level of expertise
*Compliance and risk management
*Scalability
*Strategic initiatives in your business
*Plus much more
If you have a HR problem you would like support with, contact our HR experts now: https://www.thehrbooth.co.uk/contact/
Welcome to our deep dive into the world of counter-offers and retractions! In this video, we unravel the complexities of counter-offers, why employers might make them, the implications of accepting them, and the dynamics behind employees changing their minds about leaving.
Contact us if you would like any further support: https://www.thehrbooth.co.uk/contact/
Henderson Loggie recently invited Alistair to host a webinar on what's working and not working with Hybrid Working and the feedback we received was really interesting. To give you even more insight on this, our podcast this week will give you even further insight in to Hybrid working and how this may work for your business.
You can watch the full webinar here: https://youtu.be/TXfnTWBI5kE?si=A_HEBLyy-R-v3_xv
In this episode, Alistair shares his thoughts on what you can do to make the onboarding process a success. Induction and onboarding has come a long way since Alistair first delivered an induction presentation in 1998!
As businesses continue to evolve, the process of welcoming new team members deserves careful attention to ensure a seamless integration and a strong foundation for growth.
Here are some key strategies to ensure you're onboarding your employees effectively:
*Personalised Welcome Journey
Preparation is KeyBuddy System
*Clear Communication
*Interactive Training
*Feedback Loops
*Long-Term Onboarding
*Celebrate Milestones
*Tech Integration
*Feedback from New Hires
Remember, effective onboarding isn't just about paperwork and policies; it's about making your new employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to contribute their best. A successful onboarding process can set the tone for a fulfilling and productive journey ahead.
If you would like support with your onboarding process, contact our HR Consultants: https://www.thehrbooth.co.uk/contact/
In this episode, Alistair discusses the importance of regular feedback during the probation period and why there should be no surprises when a member of the team has their probation review.In today's fast-paced and ever-evolving work environment, traditional feedback practices are becoming obsolete. Annual reviews just can't keep up with the demands of modern workplaces. But fear not! Our podcast is here to show you the way forward.Join us as we explore the transformative power of continuous feedback loops. We'll uncover how ongoing feedback can revolutionise employee development, enhance teamwork, and boost productivity.Subscribe now and join us on this journey to transform the way we work, one piece of feedback at a time. Together, we'll unlock the full potential of ongoing feedback and ignite positive change in your organisation.If you would like support from our HR experts, contact us: https://www.thehrbooth.co.uk/contact/
In this episode, Alistair talks about the typical challenges that businesses face whilst on a growth journey. Main challenges include:
*Communication breakdown
*Recruitment Challenges
*Employee retention
*Brand awareness
*Leadership development
*Culture
Find out more of the challenges and resolutions in our latest video on how to manage people in a growing business...
Here are some helpful links that Alistair mentioned in the podcast:
https://www.scottish-enterprise.com/support-for-businesses/improve-productivity-and-employee-engagement/optimise-your-team-performance
https://www.thehrbooth.co.uk/training-development/
https://www.thehrbooth.co.uk/recruitment-services/
Flexible Workforce Development Fund for Scottish businesses - https://www.sfc.ac.uk/skills-economic-transformation/upskilling-reskilling/flexible-workforce/flexible-workforce-development-fund.aspx
In this podcast, we're diving deep into the world of employee benefits, helping both employers and employees make the most out of this crucial aspect of the workplace. Employee benefits are not just about health insurance and retirement plans. They encompass a wide array of offerings that can significantly impact job satisfaction, retention rates, and overall employee well-being.
Whether you're an employer looking to enhance your benefits package or an employee seeking to understand and leverage your perks, this video has got you covered.
Here's what you'll learn in this comprehensive guide:
Types of Employee Benefits: We'll break down the different categories of employee benefits, including health, retirement, paid time off, and more.
https://www.bhsf.co.uk/
https://www.theaccessgroup.com/en-gb/our-brands/caboodle/
https://www.perkbox.com/uk/campaign/sem/platform-attract-retain?utm_source=google&gad=1&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=gg_1-perkbox.e&utm_campaign=Brd_UK_Perkbox-Only&_bt=667468392236&_bk=perkbox&_bm=e&_bn=g&_bg=153488064644&gclid=Cj0KCQjwi7GnBhDXARIsAFLvH4lEgxSp4Ude9D3GWCQzVZGZIlWCm2oAZX0fAQ2sm9ZhoIxDKTe-wUwaAri7EALw_wcB
Flexible Workforce Development Fund for Scottish businesses - https://www.sfc.ac.uk/skills-economic-transformation/upskilling-reskilling/flexible-workforce/flexible-workforce-development-fund.aspx
In this week's episode, Alistair talks about types of businesses our HR experts support and how we can help your business.
Whether you are in need of a HR strategy for family business, HR support for manufacturing, third sector, professional services, early stage, or high growth, our HR Consultants are here to help.
Find out how we can help your business on our website now: https://www.thehrbooth.co.uk/hr-consultancy-about-you/
It's been a while! It's time for an overdue catch-up. In this episode, Alistair discusses what the team has been up to this year, celebrating our 10-year anniversary, and the HR related topics we've been supporting our clients with.
If you would like any HR support from our experienced HR Consultants, contact us now: https://www.thehrbooth.co.uk/contact/
Join Alistair as he dives deep into the benefits of prioritising occupational health. From bolstering productivity and reducing absenteeism to creating a safer work environment, Alistair breaks down the pivotal role that employee well-being plays in organisational success. Find out how a comprehensive approach to health can revolutionise the workplace...
Find out more about how we can help you with Occupational health on our website: https://www.thehrbooth.co.uk/occupational-health-edinburgh/
It's time to learn how to support your employees through the cost of living crisis.
Some key points we discuss in this recording include: * Paying a fair wage * CIPD – 1 in 4 employees state that financial worries can impact on their ability to do their job * 3 in 4 adults said in June they would change their habits to cope with increase cost of living * 13% of UK workers are in poverty * The cost of doing nothing – cost of replacing an employee is around 6 to 9 months salary * Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP) * Employee Benefits, including salary exchange and Discount Schemes * Subsidised or free meals at work * Area to collect things you don’t need – for example, food, clothing etc * Sharing ideas on batch cooking * Electric heaters or eco heating for people working from home * Promoting car sharing * Subsidised or purchase travel passes – bus/rail * Free/cost effective co-working space for people to work from
Think about your own overall business expenses – are there savings you can make to pass back to employees?
If you would like any HR support, you can contact us now: https://www.thehrbooth.co.uk/contact/
You must not use this podcast as an alternative to Human Resource Management advice from an appropriately qualified professional. We advise that you contact a professional if you have specific questions about any HR management matter. Feel free to contact us. You shouldn’t delay seeking HR advice, or disregard professional advice, or commence or continue any outsourced HR action due to information in this podcast. Please contact us directly for specific advice and guidance.
The most common question we get asked is around how to manage a disciplinary meeting. It's important that you deal with things in the correct way when faced with challenges within your business so that you can avoid things becoming more problematic. The best way to tackle HR issues such as a disciplinary procedure is to have good HR processes in place.
You may be listening to this episode as things have already escalated to the point where you need to conduct a formal disciplinary meeting. Or you may want to learn about the process incase it may come up in the future. We work with a wide range of businesses throughout Scotland and the UK, and it’s our job to ensure the correct procedures are in place, and that they are carried out correctly and fairly, so that whatever you do next, it doesn’t end up costing you valuable time or money. This episode will offer you key steps to ensure you conduct a fair disciplinary hearing and to avoid an employment tribunal in the future.
If you would like any support with a disciplinary meeting, you can contact us now: https://www.thehrbooth.co.uk/contact/
You must not use this podcast as an alternative to Human Resource Management advice from an appropriately qualified professional. We advise that you contact a professional if you have specific questions about any HR management matter. Feel free to contact us. You shouldn’t delay seeking HR advice, or disregard professional advice, or commence or continue any outsourced HR action due to information in this podcast. Please contact us directly for specific advice and guidance.
In this episode, Alistair gives his top tips on staff absence management. Employee absence is a big problem for businesses when it comes to time and money. It’s almost guaranteed that staff will need time off during their employment. This can be either for long-term or short-term sickness. With this in mind, it’s important you put a staff absence management plan in place to reduce as much disruption as possible.
If you would like any further advice on absence management in your business, feel free to contact us now: https://www.thehrbooth.co.uk/contact/
With the Great Resignation still going strong, everyone is looking for ways to gain and retain employees.
The challenge for businesses is not just to look at how to gain staff, but to retain them too. To do this, you need to create an environment that engages, excites and encourages your employees and candidates.
In this week's podcast, Alistair gives his top 5 tips on how to attract and retain good employees and improve employee engagement. From Videos to management training, there are many different strategies that you can apply to your business today:
You can contact our outsourced HR team here: https://www.thehrbooth.co.uk/contact/
In this week's episode, Alistair discusses the benefits of hiring a modern apprentice. It's not just trades that can benefit from hiring a modern apprentice, there's a wide range of businesses that can offer apprenticeship positions. We have worked with local schools and councils to help students find positive destinations and have witnessed the positives that modern apprenticeships can bring.
These positives can include:
Funding towards salary
Funding for the relevant SVQ qualification
Attracting someone who is keen to learn and with a positive attitude
Support with 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
Plus much more
https://www.thehrbooth.co.uk/contact/
*This podcast was recorded before 2022. In addition, you may hear references to information that may be different today. You must not use this podcast as an alternative to Human Resource Management advice from an appropriately qualified professional. We advise that you contact a professional if you have specific questions about any HR management matter. Feel free to contact us. You shouldn’t delay seeking HR advice, or disregard professional advice, or commence or continue any outsourced HR action due to information in this podcast. Please contact us directly for specific advice and guidance.
Are you currently faced with managing a high volume of holiday requests? Managing holiday entitlement can feel tricky, especially at peak times such as Summer and Christmas times. We recommend having a holiday policy within your employee handbook where you can outline rules around the process of holidays. There are many things to consider when managing holiday entitlement. This includes:
- A first come, first served method
- Employee holiday cover
- Seasons where annual leave is not possible
- Mandatory holidays (Christmas)
- Keeping track of holiday entitlement through HR software
- Plus much more
Here's our top tips to managing holiday entitlement in your business:
If you have any further questions, feel free to contact us now on 01383 668178 or info@thehrbooth.co.uk
https://www.thehrbooth.co.uk/contact/
We had a conversation with Wendy Edie, Managing Director of eCom and Barry Hynd, Interim COO of FISSS in June 2021 about the future of a hybrid working model. We discuss ways of working that's changed as a result of the pandemic, survey findings on how employees would prefer to work going forward, what other businesses are doing, government position, and much more.
As the 'great resignation' continues, we are all looking for ways to gain and retain talented employees. Hybrid working can be the solution you're looking for. We hope this episode helps you to make your decision.
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Here are links to resources we discussed in the episode:
Trickle: https://trickle.works/
Breathe HR: https://www.thehrbooth.co.uk/breathe-hr/
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*This podcast was recorded 24/06/2021. In addition, you may hear references to news and facts that may be different or resolved today. You must not use this podcast as an alternative to Human Resource Management advice from an appropriately qualified professional. We advise that you contact a professional if you have specific questions about any HR management matter. Feel free to contact us. You shouldn’t delay seeking HR advice, or disregard professional advice, or commence or continue any outsourced HR action due to information in this podcast. Please contact us directly for specific advice and guidance.
As we celebrate Claire's first year as our fantastic HR Consultant at The HR Booth, Alistair has a chat with Claire to talk about the challenges she faced finding a job that offered flexible working before joining The HR Booth, how she feels her first year has gone, and what she looks forward to in the future...
You can find out more about our HR Consultancy team here: https://www.thehrbooth.co.uk/about-hr-consultant-scotland/
In this episode, Alistair is giving us top tips on how to drive performance and engagement in the workplace...
We are answering a lot of questions on redundancy at the moment, and helping many businesses do this effectively. This video gives a good explanation as to how the process works, deals with frequently asked questions and gives business owners and managers guidance on the correct steps to take. Further information can be found here - https://www.thehrbooth.co.uk/product/redundancy-toolkit/
Welcome to Our first EVER Q&A session with The HR Booth! Today we are talking all things Furlough and answering all frequently asked questions... ✅