Managers at Astra Zeneca knew one of their team was struggling. They described him as a “broken individual.” They still dismissed him for gross misconduct. The Tribunal found that wasn’t good enough. For employers trying to support employee wellbeing, this…

Most workplaces now have wellbeing support in place. Employee Assistance Programmes. Mental health resources. Flexible working policies. Private medical cover. But having the right workplace wellbeing culture to encourage people to use it is a different challenge entirely. And yet…

A recent Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) decision has highlighted how a conditional job offer employment contract can arise earlier than many employers may expect, even where checks and onboarding steps are still ongoing. In Kankanalapalli v Loesche Energy Systems Ltd,…

With the UK’s e-invoicing mandate due to come into effect in 2029, mandatory e-invoicing is becoming another area independent HR consultants may need to start paying closer attention to. Running your own HR consultancy means balancing more than client delivery…

The way an unfair dismissal process is handled can have a significant impact on the overall outcome. An employment tribunal case involving Estcourt v Morrison Energy Services Ltd highlights this clearly. The case resulted in a significant compensation award following…

Hosting HRi’s recent webinar on unfair dismissal reform, a few things stood out. Not just because the proposed changes are significant, but because of what they are likely to expose in practice. As the conversation unfolded, it became clear that…

A recent unfair dismissal tribunal case shows how employment tribunals look closely not only at the reason for dismissal, but also at how workplace decisions were reached over time. In Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust v Mamode (2026),…

In recent years, many organisations have noticed a shift in how the working environment feels. Periods of stability appear shorter. Plans that once lasted several years are reviewed far more frequently. Decisions made with confidence at the start of the…

HR consultancies are built on trust. Trust in your advice. Trust in your interpretation of legislation. Trust in your ability to handle sensitive situations calmly and professionally. The challenge is that trust normally takes time to build. Podcasting can accelerate…

I’ve become increasingly convinced that one of the most powerful — and underrated — leadership qualities is compassionate curiosity. Not just curiosity. And not just compassion. But the deliberate combination of the two. Because here’s the truth: as leaders, especially…

When flexible working disputes reach an employment tribunal, the focus is rarely on whether remote or office-based working is preferable. Instead, attention turns to how a particular decision was reached, whether the reasoning was clear and whether statutory process was…

Few workplace topics have generated as much debate in recent years as remote or hybrid working and where work should happen. Remote-first. Hybrid by default. A return to the office. Mandated office days. For many organisations, the conversation has become…

This case highlights how a redundancy consultation tribunal decision can shape expectations around fairness, selection and decison-making in practice. The Employment Appeal Tribunal’s decision in Micro Focus Ltd v Mildenhall provides a clear illustration of how early decision-making, redundancy pooling…

Workforce cutbacks have become a familiar feature of the current business landscape. Hiring freezes, restructures and redundancies are being driven by economic pressure, rising costs and ongoing uncertainty. Many leaders are making these decisions with limited information, competing priorities and…

The Employment Rights Bill has now passed through Parliament and is awaiting Royal Assent. Once that final constitutional step is completed, it will become law, marking one of the most significant reforms of UK employment legislation in a generation. Much…

Transformation, Trust & the Human Return: A reflection on HR in 2025 At HRi, we champion independent HR and People professionals — the trusted experts who enable organisations to thrive with confidence. As 2025 draws to a close, the story…

As employment law continues to evolve, it’s essential for both HR professionals and employers to stay ahead of the curve. While keeping up with changes in employment law is critical, learning from employment tribunal lessons from 2025 is equally important….

The recent Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) decision in Henderson v GCRM Ltd & Ors shows how complex whistleblowing cases can become when investigations lack independence. It’s a timely reminder for employers and HR professionals that fairness, transparency and clear boundaries…