Staff sickness is something that cannot be avoided, whether you run a big firm or a small business. However, for small businesses that have small teams it can cause costly problems. Managing staff sickness effectively by implementing policies is essential. It will make sure that the disruption of the day-to-day activities within the business are minimised.
HR and Staff Management
The vast majority of employees in a business will have different aspects of introversion and extroversion, which is often to the benefit of the company. But every organisation will also have individuals who are highly extroverted – the life and soul of every party and the loudest person in the room at any given time. But extroverts are more than just loud people who like to engage with others, they also work very differently to other members of the team.
We’re often told that to be a successful leader we need to be able to establish a clear vision, share that vision with others in a clear and compelling way, provide others with the resources to realise that vision, and co-ordinate the sometimes conflicting interests of all stakeholders. But there is one more trait that every leader needs; flexibility. For example a business with its back against the wall requires a different style to one which is enjoying a profitable, steady state. Flexible leadership skills make a more effective business leader.
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The problem with the lack of diversity in the life sciences industry is more severe than people perhaps imagined according to new research conducted by the Epsen Fuller Group earlier this year. Only 12.7% and 8.3% of directorships of small to micro pharma, medical devices and bio tech companies are women. The research also shows that there’s been little progress since 2000 in decreasing racial disparities for interest and aptitude in STEM subjects.
Outsourcing for your small business can be a great way to save money, whether you require an individual with specific skills or just somebody to help with the extra workload. Before committing to any business decision, research needs to be carried out to find the best possible option. Outsourcing in its basic terms is the product or service from outside the business, and it’s becoming increasingly popular because it increases productivity and is cost effective.
Virtual teams and telecommuting are now accepted features of corporate life and continue to be on the rise. The benefits are many: flexible working, cost reduction, increased employee motivation, productivity gains, reduced stress and sickness levels. Aided by technology you can connect with team members almost anytime, anywhere. You can join a meeting from your small businesses premises as easily as you can conduct an appraisal conversation from your kitchen table. As remote working is getting increasingly popular, you will need to know how to manage remote workers.
Outsourcing is a vital part of the contemporary business model – more and more serious companies are turning to hiring remote workers each day. Whether you’re in need of a temporary employee, or you’re looking for serious talent to add to your team permanently, remote employment is the way to go.
One of the biggest recruitment challenges faced by businesses is a lack of applications. In a recent survey conducted by Forde HR Cloud, 23% of SMEs revealed that this is their main recruitment issue.
Emotional intelligence can have a significant impact in the workplace. It can help your team form strong bonds allowing them to thrive, or the lack of it can create misunderstanding and cause issues. Emotional intelligence is becoming a more prominent topic of conversation when it comes to business leaders and business environments, therefore small businesses need to understand what it is and why it can make a great impact in the workplace.
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Paternity leave is a hot topic in HR. This guide will help small business owners determine whether their employees are eligible for paternity leave, the statutory allowance and pay they are entitled to, as well as providing information on shared parental leave, extra pay or time off, and antenatal appointments. [continue reading…]
For most businesses, handling an employee’s confidential data can present a number of challenges. It is important to educate the team on the importance of handling data to ensure confidence to not have to face any of the legal implications of a data leak.
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If you are starting a small business and want to recruit staff, then you have come to the right place. In this article, you will find a list of top ten recruiting websites, which will allow you to hire staff that are suited to your business. Job sites can make recruiting staff a hassle-free task and allow you to find the best candidates for a fee or some are even free of charge.
When your new business begins to flourish, there may come a time when you want to take on your first employee. After you’ve created a shortlist of possible candidates, how do you find out if they’re a ‘good fit’ for your growing enterprise? This is where the interview process comes in.
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With most workers now able to ask their employers for flexible working arrangements, what should small owners do when they receive a request?
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2014 saw a change in the law that might signal a significant change in the working practices of businesses and individuals all over the UK, as the government rubber-stamped plans for flexible working for all employees.
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Andrew Jenkins, author of ‘You are more than you think’ looks at how you can become a better business owner by taking time out to re-connect with yourself and finding out what your true strengths and passions are.
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