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A manager’s guide to a fun Christmas at the office

Posted on November 29, 2023November 29, 2023 by Erin Smith

The holiday season is almost upon us, and for most employers and management, that means navigating the delicate balance of spreading festive cheer while ensuring a smooth and compliant workplace environment.

From gift giving, decorating and of course, the annual office Christmas party, there’s so much fun to be had amongst employees at Christmas time – but also a lot that can go wrong.

Blue Tree HR Solutions is here to offer you HR business solutions – such as ad hoc HR and retained HR – that can help you guarantee a smooth sailing Christmas season without any hiccups!

HR business solutions - Gift giving

Many offices participate in gift exchanges during the holidays. Whether this is through friendly gifts between staff or through Secret Santa, it’s crucial to establish clear guidelines to avoid any discomfort or misunderstandings. Blue Tree’s HR business solutions can help draft and communicate gift-giving policies, ensuring a harmonious exchange of presents among all colleagues.

Here are some key points to consider to make sure your office gift-giving is one to remember:

If your office is participating in Secret Santa, make sure it is kept fun and considerate. To keep things inclusive and budget-friendly, set a reasonable spending limit that everybody in the office can afford – the focus is on thoughtfulness, not extravagance.

Make sure gifts are respectful; nothing sexual, blasphemous, or obscene that could cause offence or upset.

For a stress-free exchange, let employees decide if they want to participate. If they do, consider a random draw by having interested participants put their names in a hat. This adds an element of surprise without pressure.

Don’t feel pressured into an office gift exchange. Suggest donating to a local charity if this works better. It’s a thoughtful and environmentally friendly alternative, and staff can choose to participate or opt out without the worry of offending anyone in the office.

HR business solutions - Decorating

Nothing brings more holiday cheer than the entire office team coming together to decorate for Christmas!

Turning the workspace into a festive wonderland is a fantastic way to encourage teamwork, lift spirits, and create a warm atmosphere for your staff during the holiday season. However, it’s crucial to approach decoration with responsibility to avoid potential issues and legal complications.

As management, ensuring that Christmas decorations comply with office fire safety regulations and office safety protocols is your responsibility. Taking these precautions not only keeps your employees safe but also protects your company from costly lawsuits.

Our HR business solutions can guide you in creating a festive atmosphere while maintaining a safe and compliant workspace for all. Get in touch to find out more about our HR support for small businesses!

HR business solutions - Flexible working and holiday

While Christmas at the office is enjoyed by many, it’s important to remember that the holiday season comes with personal commitments too. Offering flexible schedules or remote work options can help employees balance their professional and personal lives and enjoy the Christmas period more. With the best HR support for small businesses provided by Blue Tree HR Solutions, implementing these changes is a breeze!

Our team can assist in introducing flexible policies that meet both employee needs and business objectives – so everybody can enjoy the holiday season, at work and home.

It’s also a good idea to encourage employees to plan their holiday time off well in advance to avoid last-minute disruptions. Our HR business solutions can help streamline the process of requesting and approving time off with the best HR software on the market – Breathe HR!

With Breathe HR, management can keep track of staff holidays with ease, ensuring that operations continue smoothly during the festive season – and that’s not all!

Breathe HR is your one-stop shop for all things HR. To find out exactly how powerful it is, check out our recent blog “What is Breathe HR?”

HR business solutions - The Christmas party

The yearly work Christmas party is an opportunity for employees to gather, unwind, and have a good time. However, it can also present challenges for management. Before the festive event, clear communication from management about expectations for employee behaviour at the Christmas party is crucial.
Thankfully, Blue Tree HR Solutions is here with the best HR support for small businesses to help you make sure your office work is a successful one!

Reminders

Your staff are attending a work event – and they should still be expected to act within your company guidelines. Our team suggests implementing simple precautions, such as making all staff aware of this expectation before the event.

It’s also crucial to be aware that employers can be held liable for actions that occur at out-of-hours work events. Drunken promises made during the party can potentially be legally binding, leading to complications and possible legal battles. To avoid this, we advise managers to remind staff and colleagues to refrain from professional discussions that should be done during work hours. The time should be used to party!

Policies

What happens at the party doesn’t necessarily stay at the party. We suggest reminding your team of your company’s social media policy and its implications before the festivities kick off.
In today’s digital age, moments from your celebration can easily become a viral sensation – potentially damaging the company’s reputation. However, with the right social media policy in place, the likelihood of online content damaging the company can be significantly reduced – and who better to help you than Blue Tree HR Solutions?

Party!

Finally, don’t forget to encourage your employees to have a great time! After a year of hard work, it’s their moment to relax and have some fun. With effective management setting the tone, staff can revel in a night of celebration without any concerns. Blue Tree HR Solutions is here to ensure that your company orchestrates a memorable, positive, and professional Christmas party with our ad hoc HR and retained HR solutions!

For more personalised HR support for small businesses, don’t hesitate to reach out to our dedicated team.

Why choose Blue Tree HR Solutions for HR business solutions?

Blue Tree HR Solutions is the go-to support for SMEs facing HR challenges. Whether you need ad hoc HR, retained HR, or general HR support, our team provides expert and personalised assistance tailored to your business size and needs.

We’re not just for Christmas – we’re for life. Whatever the season, whatever the issue, the Blue Tree team is on hand to offer support and advice for your company.

Have a merry office Christmas!

The Christmas season is a time for joy and celebration, but it’s essential to approach it with strategic planning from management to make sure everybody can enjoy the holiday.

Blue Tree HR Solutions, offering the best HR support for small businesses, is here to provide ad hoc HR, retained HR, and HR business solutions to ensure a festive yet compliant workplace.

With Blue Tree by your side, management or employers can guarantee staff can enjoy the Christmas season to the fullest. Get in touch to find out more about our HR support for small businesses, or check out our ad hoc HR or retained HR on our website.

What is Breathe HR?

Posted on August 15, 2023October 4, 2023 by Erin Smith

Managing your own HR can feel like a mammoth task for many small businesses. Juggling administrative HR duties while nurturing employee growth can be tricky. Fortunately, Breathe HR is here to make it all straightforward!

Offering vital HR support for small businesses across the UK, Breathe HR is a game-changer for SMEs wanting to free up time while still delivering high-quality HR admin and support.

Here at Blue Tree HR Solutions – supplier of the best HR support Essex can offer – we are proud to be Breathe HR Gold Partners. This helpful software allows us to provide our clients an easy and effective online HR administrative tool that can help them keep track of their employee information and day-to-day admin.

So, what is Breathe HR?

Breathe HR is a multi-award-winning cloud-based HR system that automates and tracks tedious and time-consuming tasks such as holiday allowances, absences, and training. This exceptional HR software not only streamlines these processes, but also guarantees the safekeeping of all documents and data, ensuring swift and hassle-free access whenever needed for you and your employees. Breathe HR is simple, secure and reliable – and is currently trusted by over 13,000 SMEs!

Breathe HR isn’t just your HR management system; it’s also your strategic business partner who’s going to help your small business flourish.

By easing the weight of employee admin, it can free up precious time that can now go towards team growth, development and business success!

To find out more about the best retained HR and adhoc HR support Essex can offer, visit the Blue Tree HR Solutions page!

What can Breathe HR offer you?

Managing your HR data doesn’t have to be a chore. Breathe HR is the perfect solution to make people-management a breeze by bringing it all together into one secure place.

From logging sickness and tracking leave to updating documents, here are just some of the benefits Breathe HR can offer you!

Sickness & absence

It’s almost guaranteed that at some point in employment, your employees will take time off work due to sickness. However, it’s not as easy to guarantee that you’ll spot a trend of absence when one does appear, due to the million other tasks that require your attention.

Occasional sick days are normal – however, trends of absence could be affecting your business growth. Not only do they cost your business money, but they put extra stress on your other employees and affect company culture and morale if not handled accordingly.

With Breathe HR, spotting patterns of employee sickness is easy. Because the dashboard offers a sickness and absence log, you can make sure absent days are being communicated, approved and accounted for. This makes sure you are always in the know about your employee’s habits and well-being.

If you need to address an employee’s absence issue but are unsure where to start, Blue Tree HR Solutions are here to help. We can ensure you approach the situation correctly and in line with current employment law, and ensure employees and management are all aware of their rights. For the best retained HR and adhoc HR support for small businesses, contact Blue Tree today!

Keep documents safe, secure and up-to-date

For small businesses operating in a fast-paced environment, paperwork can quickly accumulate and get lost over time.

It’s time to say goodbye to inefficient filing cabinets – Breathe HR provides a secure digital cloud for all your important paperwork. From employee documents, policies, procedures and training templates, make sure your data stays organised and easily accessible. Choose Breathe HR’s ISO27001-accredited software, guaranteeing your data is protected while staying GDPR-compliant.

Having important documents all in one place also makes keeping everything up-to-date easier and faster. When tweaks are needed for company policies, procedures, or rules, it’s easy to navigate to your files, make a quick edit, and have your employees review the updates from their portal.

For employees needing to edit their records, the employee self-service software empowers them to handle updating their information. From address changes to phone number updates, employees can manage their own data without the hassle of bothering you with paper trails. This not only improves your employee experience, but saves valuable time that can be focused on your business.

Need help with making sure your company documents are up to scratch? Blue Tree HR Solutions – with the best HR support Essex can give – are the experts you need. From creating bespoke contracts of employment that align with employment law to offering policies and procedures advice and so much more, check out why you need to be on our retained HR client package!

Performance reviews made simple

Regular performance reviews are essential for employee growth and business success – however, SMEs can sometimes struggle to find the time to track progress and provide feedback.

Breathe HR makes performance reviews simple. By enabling managers to set goals, follow along with employee progress, and provide valuable feedback in a systematic manner, managers can help employees grow, improve and develop their skills without donating time from other projects.

Breathe HR gives small businesses the power to implement continuous improvement with ease. From retained HR packages to adhoc HR packages, and all the best HR support for small businesses , contact our team today!

Breathe HR – The software you need

Breathe HR doesn’t stop there. From managing training, crafting rotas, tracking applicants, online learning, managing expenses, streamlining reports, improving communication and managing daily tasks to booking holidays with ease, there is SO much more Breathe HR can do for you.

Because Breathe HR is a powerhouse of capabilities, it also comes with a range of awesome advantages.

On average, Breathe HR rescues SMEs from dedicating 5 hours per week to HR admin tasks. Instead, these hours are being dedicated towards steering businesses towards success.

Breathe HR also trims costs – saving its users an average of £177 per week and sparing 11 sheets of paper daily.

With so many huge pros bundled into one little software, choosing Breathe HR couldn’t be easier.

Need HR support for small businesses? Choose Blue Tree HR Solutions – supplier of the best HR support Essex can offer!

Time is a valuable asset that should be invested wisely. With the best HR support Essex can offer, our team can help you free up your time so that you can create the business of your dreams.

Here at Blue Tree HR Solutions, we take pride in our commitment to delivering top-notch, personalised HR services. We understand that every company is different and therefore can create a bespoke approach to your own unique needs, challenges, and aspirations.

Whether you seek the adaptability of our ad hoc HR services, the continuous support from our retained HR package, or need HR consultancy tailored for your business, our expert team will be your guide through the world of HR.

When you choose Blue Tree HR Solutions, you are laying the foundation for your business to thrive. When you choose Breathe HR through Blue Tree HR Solutions, you are also freeing up invaluable time and resources.

Reach out to the Blue Tree HR Solutions team today and let’s see how our retained HR and adhoc HR support for small businesses can help you!

Dealing with employee complaints the right way

Posted on July 10, 2023July 10, 2023 by Erin Smith

The best HR solutions company Essex can offer is here to help you deal with employee complaints effectively.

Dealing with workplace complaints is delicate business, and has to be acted upon effectively and professionally. Resolving issues correctly will help managers maintain a positive work environment, and ensure legal compliance.

As an expert HR solutions company, Blue Tree HR Solutions is here to help you with our experienced HR support for small businesses, which will manage your employee’s complaints and behaviour the correct way.

Employee complaints - Why are you receiving them?

A positive, organised and managed work environment should not cause employees to complain. If your employees are having issues, either with other members of staff or the workplace itself, this could be a sign that your company is not as happy and healthy as you might think.

Employee complaints can be valuable opportunities to identify and rectify issues within your company. If dealt with professionally and fairly, you can begin to build your dream workforce culture of trust, respect, resolution, and above all, happy employees.

Employee complaints will range from something very minor to something serious, and it is up to management to decide how to deal with the situation appropriately.

Without an HR department, knowing how to deal with complaints can be tricky. One wrong move can have dire consequences. To ensure the well-being and protection of all parties involved – including yourself, the employee filing the complaint, the company and any individuals impacted by the complaint – it is crucial to deal with complaints professionally.

As an experienced HR solutions company, the Blue Tree HR Solutions company team is here to help with expert HR support for small businesses. Take a look at our ad-hoc HR and retained HR services!

How do I know how to handle a complaint?

The key thing to remember about employee complaints is that no matter how big or small, they should all be resolved – leaving none to be swept under the carpet. Even minor complaints can snowball into something larger if left unattended – which could land your company in trouble, lose you employees, or leave you with a hefty claim.

A grievance is a complaint that has been given to you in a formal, written manner with the idea that management takes action following the statutory procedure. Complaints that have been expressed to you informally can be labelled as a complaint or dissatisfaction.

Employee grievances require to be handled in a set procedural manner that follows current employment law to protect everybody involved. Not following these procedures will land you in hot bother.

Grievances can be costly, stressful, and time-consuming. The idea is to help your staff resolve all issues before they reach the grievance stage.

If you have had an employee complain to you, informally, take the time to chat with them, figure out how they are feeling, and how you can help them resolve their issue effectively without processing to the grievance stage.

If you’ve had an employee complaint, and you’re unsure of the best way to handle and resolve the issue, contact the best expert HR solutions company in Essex, Blue Tree HR Solutions. Our expert advice and HR support for small businesses can help guide and advise you throughout. Take a look at our ad-hoc HR and retained HR services for more.

Dealing with a grievance

If an employee complaint has reached the grievance stage, a set statutory process will take place, which will involve a robust investigation and an outcome meeting, and could lead to further disciplinary action.

This process can be intimidating and stressful. Especially when one wrong move could lead to the downfall of your company.

Expert HR solutions company, Blue Tree HR Solutions, is here to help. Our team of specialists can offer HR support for small businesses that will help your management through the entire process, guaranteeing all processes and procedures are adhered to and current employment law is followed. We can help with providing letters and documents to all of those involved, as well as performing our own independent investigation and presenting our findings to best advise you on the next steps.

With the Blue Tree HR Solutions company team by your side, you can relax knowing you are not alone. With every step you take, we can provide feedback, making sure you navigate the complex procedure with ease and reach the best possible outcome for all those involved.

For more information about our HR support for small businesses, ad-hoc HR, and retained HR or if you just have questions for us, get in touch here!

How can I avoid employee complaints getting to this stage?

There are a few steps you can take to make sure complaints are dealt with in the best possible way and minimise the chances of these needing to turn into grievances.

Because Blue Tree HR Solutions company is an experienced HR solutions company, we have all the best strategic ways to respond to employee complaints.

Respond quickly

Responding quickly to employee complaints is crucial. Not only does it demonstrate care for employee well-being and satisfaction, but addressing issues early can stop problems from further escalating. Quick responses also help you maintain positive relationships and team dynamics, showing you are always there for your employees.

By addressing complaints fast and not leaving them to stew, your company has more chances at reaching a conflict resolution.

Timely responses are also important when dealing with grievances. If your management cannot handle dealing with complaints in a fast manner, they may struggle with proper grievances procedure that requires a response within a set period of time. If this is the case, it may be a good idea to offer your management more training.

Listen

When an employee comes to you with a complaint, it is crucial to listen and try to understand their perspective.

Complaints can be about many things, from discrimination to unprofessional behaviour by colleagues or managers. Asking open-ended questions to gather detailed information about what happened, how, when, with whom, and why it is being raised as a complaint is essential to helping you find the best outcome.

Focus on facts and evidence, not opinions, while taking notes to demonstrate that you are taking their concerns seriously. After listening, inquire about the employee’s desired resolution or ideal outcome, showing that you value their input.

Listening is the best way to encourage open communication, a supportive environment and trust – the three things you will need to effectively deal with a complaint without them escalating into a grievance.

How can I reduce complaints? Pro-active HR!

Implementing proactive HR strategies is the key to creating the workplace environment of every manager’s dreams, and helps to minimise grievances and complaints overall.

Pro-active HR can help catch and address issues early on, sometimes before they even become issues. Blue Tree HR Solutions is an expert HR solutions company for a reason – Here are all our best pieces of advice for implementing proactive HR strategies in your workplace!

Clear policies and procedures

Develop and communicate clear policies and procedures that outline expectations for employee behaviour and performance. Ensure that employees have access to these policies and understand their rights and responsibilities.

This provides consistency and clarity for all staff, as well as comfort and protection that bad behaviour will not be tolerated.

Open communication

Open communication in your workplace is so important. If employees don’t feel they can effectively communicate, they may bottle up issues until they explode.

Checking in with your employees regularly allows staff to offer feedback, bring up any concerns, and build trust and relationships. Create an environment that values and empowers its employees, and watch the increased productivity, employee satisfaction, and overall success!

Training and development

Making sure management is trained sufficiently in conflict resolutions, diversity and inclusion, and effective communication is a good way to ensure issues can be spotted before they are brought to the attention of management in the form of a complaint.

Offering more in-depth training to management is a good way to reduce complaints.

How can expert HR solutions company Blue Tree HR Solutions help you?

To polish up your proactive approach, deal with complaints effectively and navigate through the grievances process correctly, you’ll need Blue Tree HR Solutions expert HR support for small businesses. Our range of packages is designed to help you with what you require most.

Our ad-hoc HR and retained HR packages give you the option to choose the perfect package for your company.

Our ad-hoc HR provides your company with access to our HR services as needed, offering flexibility and cost-effectiveness. Whether it’s assistance with a one-off contract or a complicated grievance case, you can rely on our ad-hoc HR for help when you need it most.

Our retained HR package offers ongoing support – just as if you had your HR department. This service allows our team to become part of your team so that we can truly understand the culture of your company, and offer strategic guidance and advice where needed. Our retained HR will help you implement a proactive HR approach.

Both our ad-hoc HR and retained HR packages help by offering expert HR support for small businesses.

Our specialised team is equipped with extensive knowledge and experience, meaning we can offer advice, guidance and HR support for small businesses, through processes that could otherwise prove challenging and stressful. We understand the complexities involved in addressing workplace complaints and aim to help you find a resolution, protect employee rights, and create a positive work environment.

For HR support for small businesses, choose expert HR solutions company Blue Tree HR Solutions and together, we can create a thriving workplace where success and employee well-being go hand in hand.

How can our HR services and solutions help your small business?

Posted on June 14, 2023June 14, 2023 by Erin Smith

In the modern world of business, small companies can often face challenges when it comes to meeting their HR needs effectively.

Whether it’s due to having no capacity for in-house HR, not having the knowledge to provide effective HR or simply down to cost, there are a variety of reasons HR is less common in small companies.

Blue Tree HR Solutions understand that every small business has a unique set of needs and requirements. This is why we work so hard to provide a range of HR services and solutions designed to offer bespoke support at an affordable price.

From ad hoc HR services, retained HR support, and specified hr needs and tasks, to our HR consulting services for small businesses, whatever your company needs, we have the HR services and solutions required for the job.

Our HR services and solutions will optimise your HR operations, helping you create a better work environment and company culture for all, and driving long-term growth. Here’s what Blue Tree HR Solutions can offer your small business, and how they can help you.

Our packages:

Ad Hoc HR - Flexibility when you need it

Unlike larger enterprises, small businesses often do not need the same level of constant HR support. A SMEs HR needs will fluctuate, which is another reason why in-house HR can be difficult to maintain.

Blue Tree HR Solutions offers expert ad hoc HR services, giving your business the option of flexible support as and when needed. Whether you need support for a simple matter, a complex situation, or multiple issues all at once, our ad hoc HR service gives you the ability to call for help when needed.

Looking for cost-effective HR services and solutions that also offer flexibility? Find out more about our ad hoc HR.

Retained HR support - We can be a part of your team

Our retained HR services and solutions provide ongoing support and expertise to deliver exactly what your business needs.

Our retained package provides your small business with a dedicated HR professional who essentially becomes a part of your team without paying for the cost of a permanent in-house HR Manager. By working alongside your team, our professionals can better understand your company culture, allowing us to offer you bespoke assistance, guidance and proactive HR support.

Whether you need help setting up a new starter, need advice on managing a sticky situation or need guidance implementing your HR strategy, Blue Tree HR Solutions is here for your business with our retained HR services and solutions.

If you require a trusted partner to navigate the complexities of HR, contact our friendly team.

What we can help with:

Disciplinaries

While every disciplinary is different, the process of dealing with one stays the same to make sure all laws and regulations are followed.

The process can be sensitive, confusing and lengthy, as most involve an investigation, a disciplinary hearing and the option to appeal the decision.

By outsourcing your HR to Blue Tree HR Solutions, we can advise you throughout the whole process, making sure you keep in line with the statutory process and follow the current regulations.

From gathering evidence and ensuring procedural fairness to preparing all needed paperwork such as the outcome letter and minutes for your evidence pack, our help can make the process smooth and easy.

We are dedicated to supporting your management every step of the way, so that your company can confidently address disciplinary issues while minimising the risk of potential disputes or legal challenges.

Our goal is to help you maintain a positive and productive work environment while upholding appropriate standards of behaviour and performance. For more information on how our HR services and solutions can help you through the disciplinary process, contact us here.

Redundancies

Redundancies can be a challenging process for almost any business. Blue Tree HR Solutions can offer compassionate and strategic support to help small businesses navigate this difficult phase.

Our experienced HR professionals are experts in redundancy procedures and can guide your management from start to finish. From initial meetings to outcome letters, and everything in between, we can ensure that redundancies are handled with empathy and professionalism while sticking within HR laws and regulations.

In some cases, our professionals can provide advice on alternative options that can avoid redundancy – such as changing staff hours, moving staff to a new role, or changing their salary. By exploring these options, companies can minimise the impact on affected employees and retain valuable talent whenever possible.

Contracts of employment

A contract of employment forms the foundation of the employer-employee relationship, outlining rights, responsibilities, and expectations for both parties. These documents are highly important to get right in order to protect you, your staff and your business.

These documents will include all of the information the employee may need regarding working at your company – such as job descriptions, working hours, compensation, benefits, leave policies, and termination procedures. The documents will also cover terms and conditions and fundamental policies such as disciplinary, grievance, maternity and data protection.

Our HR services and solutions can help you customise contracts that reflect your unique requirements while ensuring compliance.

Grievances

Just like disciplinaries, the grievance procedure follows the same statutory process. Grievances require a formal investigation and an outcome meeting which may or may not lead to further action.

HR support from Blue Tree HR Solutions can aid your small business in conducting a grievance procedure that ensures fairness, confidentiality, and transparency. We prioritise finding resolutions that are fair and satisfactory to all involved while following strict laws and regulations closely.

You can rely on our expert services to provide advice throughout all of the above issues and many more. To find out how our HR consulting services for small businesses can help with issues you are facing, contact us here.

Why choose Blue Tree HR Solutions for your HR services and solutions?

We pride ourselves on being able to offer high-quality personalised HR. No two companies are the same, so why should their HR be? Here at Blue Tree HR Solutions, we avoid the one-size-fits-all approach and instead, offer HR consulting services for small businesses to understand their specific needs, challenges and goals.

We listen, analyse and customise to provide small businesses with a tailored HR strategy that is unique to them. By going beyond the cookie-cutter way of HR, Blue Tree HR Solutions can help businesses thrive and succeed in more ways than they ever imagined.

Blue Tree HR Solutions provides a wide array of HR services and solutions to address each and every specific need your business may have. By choosing to outsource your HR needs, as a small business you can increase efficiency, create a better work culture and environment for your team, and ensure compliance with the ever-changing employment laws and regulations.

Whether you need the flexibility of our ad hoc HR, the continuous support from our retained package or need HR consulting services for small businesses, our team will help your business navigate the complex world of HR, freeing up valuable time and resources to focus on what matters most – Growing your business.

To get started, contact the Blue Tree HR Solutions team today!