The HR Dept South East London & North Kent

The HR Dept South East London & North Kent HR and Employment Law advice that puts your business first

Would you know what to do if an employee was struggling with addiction?Alcohol, drugs, gambling and other addictions are...
09/09/2026

Would you know what to do if an employee was struggling with addiction?

Alcohol, drugs, gambling and other addictions are deeply personal issues – but they can also have serious implications for employers, from health and safety concerns to absence, conduct and confidentiality.

Handling the situation requires compassion, discretion and a clear understanding of your responsibilities as an employer.

Our latest blog looks at the relevant employment law, the importance of having the right policies in place and the practical steps employers should take when addiction affects the workplace.

👉 Read the full blog to make sure your business is prepared: https://www.hrdept.co.uk/knowledge-hub/blog/what-should-you-do-if-an-employee-is-suffering-from-addiction

08/09/2026

⚖️ The next Employment Rights Act changes are almost here. Is your business ready?

The Employment Rights Act continues to reshape the employment landscape, and the next major changes are due to come into force in October 2026.

📑 This brings new responsibilities for employers and potentially increasing the level of risk for businesses that aren't prepared.

Need help managing your HR workplace policies and training? Get in touch with us today, we can help: https://www.hrdept.co.uk/services/employee-handbook-company-policies

AI can make recruitment and HR faster, but without proper oversight, efficiency can come at a cost.From screening CVs to...
28/07/2026

AI can make recruitment and HR faster, but without proper oversight, efficiency can come at a cost.

From screening CVs to analysing interviews and tracking performance, AI tools are becoming increasingly common. For SMEs, they can save valuable time and resources, but they may also create risks around discrimination, data protection, transparency and automated decision-making.

Our latest blog explores how employers can use AI responsibly, including:

🤖 Recognising and reducing potential bias
🔒 Protecting candidate and employee data
👤 Maintaining meaningful human oversight
💬 Being transparent about how AI influences decisions
✅ Vetting providers and introducing clear internal policies

AI should support human judgement, not replace it.

Read the full blog to learn how your business can embrace AI while remaining fair, transparent and compliant: https://www.hrdept.co.uk/knowledge-hub/blog/ai-in-recruitment-and-hr-legal-and-ethical-risks-for-employers

The school summer holidays are here, but business doesn’t stop when the school gates close.For working parents, six week...
26/07/2026

The school summer holidays are here, but business doesn’t stop when the school gates close.

For working parents, six weeks of childcare can create a major logistical challenge. For employers, it often means more annual leave requests, pressure on workflows and difficult conversations about flexibility.

So, how can you support parents while remaining fair to the whole team?

Our latest blog explores:

☀️ Managing increased annual leave fairly
☀️ Planning workloads around staff absences
☀️ Responding appropriately to flexible working requests
☀️ Supporting parents without disadvantaging other employees
☀️ Using clear communication to prevent last-minute problems

Good planning and consistent policies can help everyone enjoy a smoother summer.

Read the full blog: https://www.hrdept.co.uk/knowledge-hub/blog/managing-parents-through-the-school-summer-holidays

Flexible working is no longer just a workplace perk, it’s a day-one right.Recent legal changes mean employees can make a...
23/07/2026

Flexible working is no longer just a workplace perk, it’s a day-one right.

Recent legal changes mean employees can make a flexible working request from their first day, submit up to two requests each year, and expect consultation before a request is rejected.

For SMEs, a clear and consistent process is essential. Done well, flexible working can support compliance while improving retention, engagement and access to talent.

Our latest blog covers:

✅ The key changes employers need to understand
✅ The eight statutory grounds for refusal
✅ Common legal and discrimination risks
✅ A practical checklist for handling requests fairly

Read the full guide to ensure yo
ur policies and managers are prepared: https://www.hrdept.co.uk/knowledge-hub/blog/flexible-working-as-a-day-one-right-what-employers-must-know

20/07/2026

From stock market IPOs to the threat of advanced computer hacking, AI is never out of the news. It is a big thing in businesses generally, and HR specifically, too: with AI automation being used for a whole host of tasks, often poorly.

Creating and placing job adverts; CV screening; candidate scoring; production of HR documentation such as employment contracts; and procedural communication, for instance in a disciplinary or grievance process.

For all its efficiency, AI has a number of downsides: data protection, human redundancies, inaccuracy and hallucination, and what we're going to focus on in this blog: bias: https://www.hrdept.co.uk/knowledge-hub/blog/six-types-of-ai-bias-in-hr-and-what-you-can-do-to-counter-them

Today is World Youth Skills Day.📚️ We’re celebrating the value of developing young talent. From work experience to appre...
15/07/2026

Today is World Youth Skills Day.📚️

We’re celebrating the value of developing young talent. From work experience to apprenticeships, giving young people the chance to build skills helps businesses, individuals and communities thrive.

At The HR Dept, we support SMEs in creating these opportunities, to help to build and develop stronger teams for the future.

Got a question about giving young people opportunities in your business? Get in touch.

Creating an inclusive workplace doesn't have to be complicated. With a practical, balanced approach, businesses can buil...
10/07/2026

Creating an inclusive workplace doesn't have to be complicated. With a practical, balanced approach, businesses can build an environment where everyone feels valued while supporting better business outcomes.

When approached pragmatically, inclusion can help businesses attract a wider talent pool, boost innovation, improve employee engagement and strengthen overall performance, while helping employers meet their legal responsibilities.

Our latest blog explores why inclusion matters, the practical steps SMEs can take, and how to create a workplace where everyone can thrive.

Read more 👇
https://www.hrdept.co.uk/knowledge-hub/blog/what-happens-when-you-get-inclusivity-right

As temperatures rise, it's important to make sure your team stays safe, supported and productive. 🌡️Our latest infograph...
07/07/2026

As temperatures rise, it's important to make sure your team stays safe, supported and productive. 🌡️

Our latest infographic highlights practical steps managers can take to help their teams work safely and comfortably during a heatwave, from encouraging regular breaks and hydration to making sensible adjustments where needed.

Need access to professional HR support? Get in touch with us today.

06/07/2026

Wimbledon is being served up to us over the next fortnight. The preparation that the competitors subject themselves to as elite athletes is an example to all.

“Fail to prepare. Prepare to fail.” as the saying goes. In the business world, job interviews are a case in point – for you the employer, as well as candidates.

While it may be unsuccessful candidates with a feeling of failure after an interview, the jeopardy can be just as real for you: missing out on your first choices because you didn’t make a good enough impression; choosing poorly because you did not probe sufficiently.

We discuss this further in this week's blog: https://www.hrdept.co.uk/knowledge-hub/blog/how-to-prepare-for-interviews-as-an-employer

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DA12EN

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