When Rachel won a major new contract, it was everything she’d been working towards.  Within a few months, she’d recruited four new employees, moved into larger premises and was busier than ever.  Growth was exciting, but it also brought new challenges. Job roles had evolved, managers were juggling bigger teams and recruitment decisions needed to be made quickly. Before long, Rachel...Read More

When Ben started his business, there were just three employees.  As the company grew to eight, then twelve, HR wasn’t something he gave much thought to.  “We’re too small to need HR,” he would often say. “We’re like a family.”  Then one employee resigned unexpectedly. Another raised concerns about inconsistent treatment. Ben realised that, although his business...Read More

Most HR problems don’t appear overnight. More often than not, they develop gradually through a series of well-intentioned management decisions. A difficult conversation is postponed, expectations aren’t made clear, or an issue is handled differently from a similar situation in the past. Before long, what could have been resolved quickly has become a grievance, a resignation or a time-consuming employee relations issue. The good...Read More

Major sporting events like the FIFA World Cup can create excitement across the workplace. Employees may want time off to watch matches, discuss results with colleagues or follow games during the working day.  While the tournament can boost morale and team spirit, it can also present challenges around staffing, productivity and fairness. With a little planning, employers can strike...Read More

For many small businesses, attracting great people is only half the challenge. Retaining them is just as important. In a competitive labour market, where skilled employees have increasing choice about where they work, keeping talented team members engaged and committed can make a significant difference to your organisation’s stability and growth.  Unlike larger organisations, small...Read More

Managing poor performance is one of the trickiest aspects of leadership. On one hand, organisations need to maintain high standards; on the other, heavy-handed approaches can harm team morale, reduce engagement, and even increase turnover. The key is addressing performance issues thoughtfully, consistently, and constructively.  Understand the root cause  Before taking any action, it’s important to understand why an employee is...Read More

Creating a culture of accountability is one of the most effective ways to improve performance, engagement, and trust within your organisation. Yet, many managers struggle to foster accountability without slipping into micromanagement. Striking the right balance is essential for building a motivated, high-performing team.  Why accountability matters  Accountability in the workplace is more than just...Read More

As we head into the new tax year, several key employment law changes are coming into force from 6 April 2026.  Some of these changes take effect immediately, while others will follow shortly after. Together, they represent a meaningful shift in employer obligations, with practical implications for policies, processes and payroll.  In this blog, we outline what’s changing and the key actions...Read More

Running a small or medium-sized business comes with plenty of challenges – and HR shouldn’t be one of them. From recruitment and onboarding to holiday and absence management, HR tasks can quickly consume valuable time. That’s why HR Surgery partners with Breathe, an all-in-one HR software platform designed to make HR easier, faster, and more efficient for SMEs.  Why HR software matters ...Read More

For many small and growing businesses, HR is something that gets handled “in-house” – often by a director, office manager or head of accounts, alongside everything else on their plate. At first glance, DIY HR can seem sensible: it saves money, feels manageable, and works well enough when things are running smoothly.  However, the reality is that HR is one...Read More