HR

A how-to guide to recruiting your startup’s first employees

A startup is an exciting business venture for any enthusiastic entrepreneur. However, your company’s success hinges on an innovative and resilient team to propel it to new heights. Of course, hiring your first employees is difficult when you are just beginning. Here are ways to recruit your first top candidates for your emerging enterprise.

Why smart workplace benefits are a must for tackling stress among expats

April’s Stress Awareness Month is a timely reminder that the wellbeing of globally mobile employees is more than just a tick-box exercise – it’s a business essential. For expats adjusting to life overseas, the stresses and emotional burden of relocating can be subtle, slow-burning, and all too easily overlooked.  

Stress awareness month: supporting employees with stress in the workplace

April is Stress Awareness Month, and this year’s theme is about approaching people with kindness, compassion, and acceptance, no matter what challenges they face. Dr Glenn Mason, Head of Adult Psychological Therapies, Onebright, discusses supporting employees with stress in the workplace

Businesses face low employee morale and productivity

As the UK government continues to implement its AI Opportunities Action Plan, British business leaders are pinning their hopes on technological innovation alongside HR strategies, such as offering hybrid work, to boost employee morale and productivity, according to research by Celonis, the global company in Process Mining and Process Intelligence.

The 5 things to cover in your workplace mental health training

Most businesses now provide some form of mental health training for employees. But do you know what should be included in this training to ensure it is effective and impactful? With an estimated £42-£45 billion being lost each year due to presenteeism, sickness absence and staff turnover from poor mental health, mental health training can play a crucial role in the wider success, happiness and productivity of your employees.

National Insurance changes driving cost management challenges

elementsuite, a Zellis company, HR and workforce management provider, announces new research into the state of HR in 2025 in the UK.

New tech tool tackles startup psychology dynamics

Insights, a global provider of workplace learning and development solutions, launches the Insights Discovery API.

The HR pitfalls almost everyone falls into and how to avoid them

Building a startup is a healthy mix of energy, optimism, and of course, risk. The focus is often on product development, funding rounds, and scaling up fast. But in the rush to get off the ground, people management – the heartbeat of any organisation – can often skip a beat. And while it’s understandable, ignoring tried and tested HR best practices early on can be a costly mistake.

Acas publishes new guidance on neonatal care leave

Workplace experts Acas has published new guidance on neonatal care leave to coincide with a change in the law this weekend.

UK risks losing Gen Z talent to higher-paying global competitors

Four-in-five (81%) Gen Z workers in the UK would consider working remotely for a company outside of the UK if that meant greater salary opportunities, according to new research commissioned by global HR and payroll firm Deel.

48% of companies offsetting National Insurance costs with salary sacrifice

With increases in National Insurance contributions due to take effect from 6 April, businesses and employees are both likely to feel the pinch. Towergate Employee Benefits’ annual research shows that less than half (48%) of UK companies offer salary sacrifice on their pension provision and they and their employees are therefore missing out on offsetting the costs.

NI hikes a significant challenge putting pressure on employee benefits

As employers brace themselves for hikes in National Insurance contributions (NICs) on 6 April 2025 and the reduction in the threshold at which they are due, GRiD has found that over a quarter (28%) of senior HR decision-makers believe that increased costs imposed by government such as higher employer NI contributions will present a significant challenge to their business in the next 12 months. Broken down by size of company, 30% of SMEs see this as a challenge, compared to 25% of large corporates.

Should CEO’s cap their salaries?

According to CEO today, 22% of workers think CEO pay should be capped at 1-5 times the salary of workers at the lower levels.

5 ways your business can create a positive recruitment process

According to a recent survey, more than three-fifths (62%) of Brits describe the overall hiring process as negative, with nearly a quarter (22%) labelling it “stressful and soul-destroying,”. These statistics paint a troubling picture for businesses looking to attract top talent.

Refreshing employee engagement for the current year

The start of a new year presents an ideal moment for organisations to reassess how they connect with their workforce. For HR professionals, this timing offers a perfect opportunity to implement fresh approaches to team motivation and workplace engagement.

AI job application surge creates hiring challenges

Businesses are pushing back against the rise in AI generated job applications and CVs, which are making it harder to find the best talent and lengthening time to hire. 

Highly stressed employees cost firms more than £4M a year

New research surveying 1,000 full-time employees in the UK and US technology and professional services industries has found that nearly half of the workforce (45%) is highly stressed, experiencing stress frequently or always.

Lack of state support for health and wellbeing is impacting staff

Employers and employees are united in their belief that state support for those who power the UK’s economy, i.e. employees, is inadequate.

Spotting problematic tech use among employees and offering support

Technology is a great enabler in the workplace, but it can also become a significant burden if its use becomes problematic. Professor Marcantonio Spada, Chief Clinical Officer, Onebright, discusses. 

Employment declines in February as SMEs prepare for new costs

Employment continued to retract in February following the Government’s decision to hike job taxes, a new report from Employment Hero shows.