Podcasts

SUICIDE PREVENTION WITHIN THE WORKPLACE

When suicide happens, it is heart breaking for so many people involved, so we are focussing on what are the warning signs, how to identify the warning signs for suicidal thoughts in employees and how you can help to prevent suicides in your workplace.

EMPLOYEE HAPPINESS

Why is employee happiness important? Put simply employee happiness is the key to attracting and retaining your employees. In this episode, we will explain to you the benefits of having an engaged workforce, and provide you with ideas of how to achieve employee happiness in your workplace. The HR Connection provides Small Business Owners and HR professionals with all the HR information you need for the effective everyday running of your business. We will be sharing useful insights, hints, tips and guidance on all things ‘people’ from onboarding to offboarding and everything in between. Whether you’re out walking the dog or doing the ironing, get what you need to know, straight from us, when you want it. 

Absences in the workplace

How to reduce absence rates? An absence rate is when employees are absent from work due to illness or an unplanned occurrence- this doesn’t include when they are on holiday or any other paid leave. We all know that employees get sick sometimes, or have a situation happen which causes them to be absent from work, some absences are unavoidable, but some absences can be avoided, and these are the absence rates we are trying to reduce. During this episode, we will be discussing what you can do to reduce absence rates within your business, from implementing policies and procedures to reward and recognition schemes.

conflict in the Workplace

Conflict happens between people or groups of people who feel that another person or group is blocking their needs or not enabling them to express their views in the workplace. The CIPD survey found that the most common causes of conflict are differences in personality styles or working practices.

Conflict is more likely to happen when people feel they have lost or are losing something whether that is respect, status in the workplace or particularly if they feel their job is under threat. In this episode, we are joined by qualified workplace mediator Louise Rance, to explain what workplace conflict is, what the most common causes of conflict in the workplace are and to provide you with the right tools on how to deal with it.

Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome behaviour of a sexual nature, that violates someone’s dignity, and makes them feel intimidated, humiliated or degraded. Sexual harassment in the workplace is a longstanding issue, which has been rightfully brought to the forefront in recent years. Harassment, including sexual harassment that relates to any protected characteristic is illegal under the 2010 Equality Act. As an employer you must ensure that you are doing all you can within your workplace to prevent sexual harassment from happening. In this episode, we will help you to identify sexual harassment within the workplace, teach you how to deal with it, how to support the victims and how to prevent it from happening within your business.

Improving the Mental and Physical Health of your employees

Wellbeing is so much more than just being ‘healthy’, it includes not only physical fitness but mental and social wellbeing too. Desk based working can discourage an active lifestyle, and long periods of inactivity can store up a host of potential health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, certain cancers and may contribute to increased rates of mortality. A healthy workforce is a productive and happy workforce which can lead to improved morale and engagement and it can decrease sickness absence. As an employer, manager or as a member of your team you can play a part in encouraging employees to be more active at work.

Stress and its impact on you, your people and your business

Stress is a state of mental health that affects all of us at some point during our lives, and specifically, during our working life. We know that for many of us, work is a primary cause of stress and with many of us spending the majority of our time at work, it is important that our workplaces are mentally healthy and that support is available if needed. If untreated, stress can lead to prolonged periods of employee absence at work, which in effect can have a huge impact on your business, from turnover and productivity to morale and engagement. In this episode, we will be discussing the impact that stress has on you as an individual and how you can manage and reduce it as well as spotting the signs of stress amongst your employees.

Mental health at work – the role and importance of a mental health first aider within the workplace

In 2018/19 work related stress, anxiety or depression accounted for 44% of all work-related ill health, and 54% of all working days lost to ill health. This isn’t a new issue, its been prevalent for years but has been heightened by the recent pandemic. 1 in 5 (21%) of adults experienced some form of depression in early 2021; this is more than double pre- pandemic, so it is more crucial than ever that we understand the importance of supporting the mental health of our people, particularly in the workplace. Joined by a qualified Mental Health First Aider, we answer a number of questions to gain an insight and discuss the role of a MHFA as well as the importance of having on within the workplace.

Drug & alcohol misuse in the workplace

Do you know in England more than 25 million adults regularly drink alcohol? AND that lost productivity due to alcohol use alone costs the UK economy more than £7 billion per year. The issue of Drug and Alcohol misuse at work isn’t a new thing, it has always existed and can affect not only an employee’s health and safety, but also their work performance and conduct.

From policies to testing, in this episode, we will help you understand, as an employer, what signs to look out for and how to manage a drug and alcohol misuse situation in your workplace.

LGBTQ+

Education is a crucial step in creating an inviting and inclusive working environment. LGBTQ+ is the acronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and queer or questioning with the plus symbol providing inclusivity to all of the communities such as pansexual, asexual and genderfluid.

In this episode, we will help you understand the correct terminology and definitions, how you can support the LGBTQ+ community within your workforce, create a safe and inclusive workplace and how you as an employer can become an LGBTQ+ ally.

NEURODIVERSITY

Neurodiversity refers to the different ways the brain can work and interpret information.

Following on from our last episode, introducing Inclusion and Diversity and its importance, this episode focuses on Autism and Neurodiversity within the workplace. Understand what Neurodiversity is, what is means for those in your organisation and what you, as an employer can do to provide help and support to your neurodiverse employees

Inclusion and Diversity – What It Is, What It Means and How To Be An Inclusive Employer

We are joined by Michael Doolin, the ambassador for inclusion at the IoD. Michael shares his real life experience of inclusion and diversity throughout his career. Wondering what Inclusion and Diversity really means and how it affects you as an Employer? We provide a detailed insight into what Inclusion and Diversity is, the benefits of being an Inclusive Employer and how you can achieve this!

Recruitment For Beginners – Top Tips For Those New To The World Of Recruitment

The people you hire are invaluable to the success of your business so as an employer you want to attract the right person for the role you are recruiting for. Understand the recruitment process, what you need to consider in the preparation and planning of recruiting and what to do once you have found your candidate!

Domestic Abuse – Spotting The Signs And Supporting Your Employees

Recent research shows that one in five people have had to take time off work due to domestic abuse. As an employer, it is essential that you are aware and understand how you can provide support to your employees, their workplace could be their lifeline, giving them the chance to seek help and support away from their abuser. Understand how you can recognise the signs of domestic abuse, how you can offer support and how to react if an employee confides in you about being a victim.

Hybrid Workplaces – Flexibility, Freedom…Focus?

For the vast majority, the COVID-19 Pandemic completely changed the way we work, forcing many businesses to operate completely remotely.

With the easing of restrictions allowing us to gradually return to a level of normality, will we ever fully return to the workplace?

Understand what Hybrid Workplaces are, how they can benefit you as an employer and employee as well as tips on how to implement hybrid working in your organisation.