February Trade Union Reforms – A Guide for SME’s
As a small business owner, navigating the shifting landscape of industrial relations can feel daunting. The Employment Rights Act 2025 introduces the first phase of significant reforms on 18 February 2026. These changes are designed to modernise trade union laws but also represent a shift in the balance of power that SMEs need to understand. […]
The end of fire and rehire? Navigating ‘restricted variations’
Under the Employment Rights Act 2025, the practice of “fire and rehire” (dismissal and re-engagement) will become automatically unfair in almost all circumstances.
Navigating trade union reforms: A practical guide for all employers
The relationship between employers and trade unions is entering its most transformative phase since the 1980s, and, as an SME business owner, navigating the shifting landscape of industrial relations can feel daunting.
Probation in practice: What employers must do to stay compliant and avoid costly risks
Probationary periods will become an even more critical part of the employment lifecycle. Your probation clauses may effectively serve as your first line of defence if a role does not work out.
The New Unfair Dismissal Era: What Employers Must Know
For decades, the “two-year rule” has acted as a safety net for UK employers, providing a window to assess staff without the risk of an ordinary unfair dismissal claim. From 1 January 2027, that safety net will be removed.
Essential Adjustments for 2026
Your HR and Payroll teams face a critical time of change: the 2025 Autumn Budget and new reforms from the Employment Rights Bill. These statutory and fiscal mandates that focus on supporting the lowest paid will require employers to make significant adjustments to their cost base and compliance framework.
2026 Statutory Sick Pay: Is your business ready?
Set for April 2026, major Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) reforms will extend eligibility to an estimated 1.3 million more employees. This significant change will inevitably raise employer costs and increase the administrative burden of absence management, particularly for SMEs, which make up 99% of all UK businesses and will face the heaviest financial impact.
Managing the Christmas Period
With major employment law changes ahead in 2026, this webinar explores key steps to help businesses plan for change.
HR Solutions Wins Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award 2025
We are thrilled to announce that HR Solutions has been awarded the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award 2025! This independent seal of excellence is given to businesses that consistently deliver a world-class customer experience – and we couldn’t be prouder to have achieved this for the second consecutive year. Before reaching Platinum status, we proudly […]
HR Solutions acquires health and safety consultancy, Essential Safety
HR Solutions is delighted to announce our new partnership with Essential Safety, a leading health & safety, and fire safety consultancy, with offices in Corby and London. The acquisition is our largest to date, and will significantly expand the services we can deliver in the health and safety field. We look forward to welcoming the […]
HR Solutions acquires Cherington HR
HR Solutions is delighted to have entered a partnership with Cherington HR, a human resources consultancy based in Worcester. The acquisition is the company’s fourth over the past six years. In 2015 HR Solutions merged with Business Human Resources Solutions, followed by the acquisition of HR Services (UK) in 2017 and then the addition of […]
Four more join Northamptonshire based HR consultancy
HR Solutions have taken on four new members of staff after experiencing significant growth over the last two years. We have welcomed HR Administrator, Roxana Stoica; HR Consultant, Terry Hayward; and part-time HR Advisors, Victoria Templeton and Sarah Dunnell, to the team, which now stands at 24 staff at our Northamptonshire based head office. HR […]
Workplace Law transfer of work to HR Solutions
HR Solutions has won a deal that will see Cambridge-based International Workplace Limited (IWL) transfer work to our HR consultancy business. The deal has been valued at £90,000 and will see IWL transfer the work delivered under its Workplace Law brand to HR Solutions. This new agreement will see IWL transfer 14 clients and contracts […]
HR Solutions secures contract with local charity
Photo: Claudia Slabon, Chief Executive at Service Six with Alex Butt, HR Consultant at HR Solutions. HR tender HR Solutions has secured a contract with Service Six, a Wellingborough-based charity that provides free support to children, young people, adults, families and communities in the East Midlands. Service Six appointed HR Solutions after publishing a post […]
Great big coffee morning, or tea if you prefer!
It’s the second year running that HR Solutions hosted a Great Big Coffee Morning in support of Macmillan Cancer. Thanks to everyone who baked, ate and donated to this great cause, we raised £374.25 in 2018 and £231.15 in 2019. [Updated 2019 October] Join our Great Big Coffee Morning – all are welcome! Date: […]
HR Solutions continued success welcomes new staff members
Over the past year HR Solutions has seen continued success, most recently by welcoming aboard a new HR administrator, and two new HR advisors. Two of the new staff members, pictured above, Layla Incles, HR Advisor and Justyna Worthington, HR Administrator were welcomed to the team in August and May respectively. Earlier in 2018, Bhavika […]
Keeping HR costs down in the modern workplace
Outsourcing HR projects to consultancies when needed is growing in popularity as a practical method of keeping staff costs down and ensuring that HR problems are managed by the experts. Costs and savings HR can be a complex function and is something of a minefield due to the frequent changes in employment law and compliance requirements. […]
HR Solutions sponsor the Northamptonshire Chamber Small Business of the Year Award
We are proud to be sponsoring an award at the inaugural Northamptonshire Business Awards, which are organised by the Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce. HR Solutions is sponsoring the Small Business of the Year category of the awards, which have been created to celebrate businesses demonstrating business excellence in a range of areas, from customer care […]
HR Solutions expands with acquisition of Milton Keynes based HR Consultancy
HR Solutions are delighted to announce that we are expanding our business with the acquisition of HR Services (UK) Limited of Milton Keynes. The acquisition coincides with the opening of an office at Midsummer Court in Milton Keynes, which will provide a base for us to meet with and service clients in the area. […]
HR Solutions through to national award finals for service excellence
HR Solutions are through to the finals of a national business awards for our commitment to customer service excellence. The inaugural SME National Business Awards will see us go up against 13 other competitors from across the UK in the hotly-contested Service Excellence category. The awards ceremony will take place on Saturday 1st December at […]