The We-are-HR October 2024 Newsletter

Dear Readers,

How was your October?

October was a very condensed month for We-are-HR as a number of team members were on annual leave, and this meant we were pretty stretched!

Both Muaaz Abid (Business Development Executive) and Rekha Sojitra (Business Support Executive) took some well-deserved time off.

Key Employment Law Updates and Insights from Our Recent Webinar

Our focus was on Employment Law, and we recognise that in 2024 there have been several significant changes in employment law impacting both employers and employees. Such as the Employment Rights Bill introduced in October 2024 with an aim to modernise the UK’s employment framework and National Minimum Wage Increases effective April 2024. Enhanced Redundancy Protections, Carer’s Leave, and Worker Protection (Amendment of the Equality Act 2010) Act 2023.

We continued with our partnership with Russell-Cooke Solicitors, and our annual guest speaker, Jeremy Coy (Senior Associate), spoke at our monthly webinar on Employment Law Updates 2024.

The Key takeaways were:

1. Employment Status:

Explained the three categories of individuals in the workplace:
Employees: Full-time, contracted workers with benefits.
Workers: Those with fewer employment rights but still enjoy some protections.
Self-employed contractors: Independent professionals managing their taxes and benefits.

2. Benefits and Rights:

Discussed changes to holiday entitlements and pension rights for workers and employees.
Noted the evolving discussions around extending benefits to more flexible and gig-economy roles.

3. Discrimination Laws:

Highlighted updates in anti-discrimination laws, including recent cases and new protections.
Emphasised the importance of ensuring inclusive workplace practices.

4. Termination Policies:

Reviewed updates in policies around fair dismissal.
Discussed new guidance for redundancy procedures and protections for employees in vulnerable roles.

5. Future Changes:

Previewed potential legislative changes in the next few years, such as expanding rights for gig economy workers.
Advised businesses to stay informed about upcoming shifts that could affect hiring and contract practices.

6. Practical Tips:

Encouraged attendees to review their employment contracts and HR policies to ensure compliance with current laws.
Recommended maintaining flexibility to adapt to legal changes.

If you were unable to attend, please find access to our recording.

Watch full webinar recording below.

We were thrilled to receive some great feedback at the end of the session! Here are a few:

Many thanks Jeremy, it has been very insightful. -Esma Legge

Thank you. Very Insightful! -Bunmi Oyewole

Announcement: Upcoming Webinar on December 6th:

We’re excited to announce our next webinar, happening on December 6th, in partnership with Ultimate Resilience. Our guest speaker, Dr Jo Burrell will advise on cultivating positivity to improve resilience for the festive season and beyond. This timely session will provide practical advice on:

Developing positive habits and mindsets.
Creating environments that foster optimism.
Building emotional strength and bouncing back from challenges.

As the festive season approaches, this knowledge is invaluable for maintaining well-being and resilience in both personal and professional settings. Don’t miss out!

Monthly Poll Results: Boosting Employee Engagement During Times of Change

In our recent poll, we explored strategies to enhance employee engagement during periods of change. The results are in, and there’s a clear consensus:

44% of respondents identified better communication as the key to engagement.
Another 44% emphasised the importance of leadership training.

These findings highlight that both effective communication and strong leadership are viewed as equally vital in navigating change and fostering a supportive, engaged workforce.

The Power of Communication and Leadership in Driving Engagement

The Synergy Between Communication and Leadership

Leadership and communication are deeply interconnected. Leaders need strong communication skills to cascade information effectively and engage their teams. Similarly, robust organisational communication relies on competent leadership. Together, they address both:

Structural needs (e.g., communication systems).
Interpersonal needs (e.g., leadership approach) during times of change.

Meeting Employee Needs

Employees want to feel informed and supported.

Better communication satisfies their need for clarity.
Strong leadership provides guidance and stability during uncertainty.

The Role of Leadership Training

Organisations must:

Train leaders on transparent communication’s importance.
Equip them with tools to foster engagement by creating structured communication plans.
Empower leaders to deliver consistent, aligned messages across all levels of the organisation.

The Impact on Engagement Strategies

Success during times of change hinges on:

Effective organisational communication.
Strong leadership to guide employees.

By prioritising these areas, organisations can:

Mitigate the risks of disengagement.
Boost morale.
Ensure smoother transitions during changes.

We-are-HR’s Approach to Engagement

At We-are-HR, we embrace our employees and learners, ensuring engagement in every process. We actively communicate and view feedback as an opportunity to develop and grow. Our goal is to keep all stakeholders engaged at every step.

Recognition of Success and Continuous Improvement

Our recent reviews show we are doing a great job—but we know there’s always room for improvement!

I had a wonderful experience with We-are-HR that truly exceeded my expectations. From day one, the team made me feel right at home with their warm and friendly approach. The training sessions with Mary were engaging and packed with practical insights that I found incredibly useful. What stood out to me was the genuine support for personal and professional growth; I felt encouraged to ask questions and share ideas. It’s clear that We-are-HR values its people and fosters a collaborative environment. I left feeling inspired and grateful for the opportunity to be part of such a positive workplace! – Oumaima Houd

On the solutions side of the business, we are actively promoting our courses and are extending our offer of a 10% discount on our corporate courses, so please get in contact if you need to upskill your team members in any of these areas.

Sales Training
SMART Working
New Line Management Training
Existing Line Management Training
Inclusive Leadership Training

CIPD and CMI Cohort Dates

Our Next Dates for Blended CIPD Programmes

Level 5: 11th of December 2024
Level 7: 20th of January 2025

And we’re happy that our latest Fast-Track offering for CIPD Level 3 and Level 5 got an amazing response! Contact us to check the start dates! Elevate your journey with us and fast-track your success.

Limited slots are available; secure your spot now!

Our Fast Track Programme starts with the last few remaining seats

Level 3: 7th of December 2024
Level 5: 21st of December 2024
Level 7: 23rd of November 2024

Join our self-paced programme and study anytime!

Call us on 020 3740 0757 OR email us on sales@we-are-hr.com for more details about courses.

Our New offering of CMI Programmes will be fast track starting on the 30th November for

CMI Level 5 Award/Certificate/Diploma in Management and Leadership (Starting from 11th of January 2025)
CMI Level 7 Award/Certificate/Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice (Starting from 25th of January 2025)

Thank you for reading our monthly Newsletter!

Best Wishes,
We-are-HR Team

020 3740 0757

info@we-are-hr.com