As 2025 wraps up, many small business owners are already looking ahead to the new year.
This month’s newsletter covers the workplace issues that matter right now and the ones you’ll want to prepare for in 2026:
๐ฏ How to stop knowledge from walking out the door when key staff leave
๐ฏ December’s challenging people issues (and how to handle them)
๐ฏ News updates: disability inclusion, job hugging and Gen Z money worries
โ And answers to your latest questions.
Read the full update here.




What do you do if an employee raises a serious concern about wrongdoing in your business? That’s whistleblowing. It isn’t just another workplace complaint. It’s about reporting serious issues, like legal violations, fraud or safety risks, and employees are legally protected when they speak up. The latest article sets out a clear step-by-step process to follow if you receive a whistleblower complaint. Read it here ๐

What do you do when a new hire isn’t working out during their introductory period? Handled well, an introductory period gives you a clear way to assess fit, support your employee and protect your business. Handled badly, you risk losing time, money and facing legal headaches. The latest article sets out a straightforward approach to managing introductory periods fairly and effectively. ๐ Read it here.

What do you do when a client makes a complaint about one of your employees? It can be challenging to find the balance. Get it right and you’ll maintain the client relationship while treating your employee fairly. But, get it wrong, and you could risk losing the client and damaging team morale. The latest article tells you everything you need to know. Read it here ๐

It’s a horrible feeling to suspect that someone in your team might be stealing from you. Missing inventory or cash that doesn’t add up could be signs of employee theft. Dealing with it early and fairly helps to protect both your business and your team. Read our step-by-step guide to handling this difficult situation in our latest article below. ๏ปฟ
This month’s HR update looks at what’s ahead in 2026 and how to start the year on solid ground: ๐งพ Getting your HR ready for the year ahead ๐ฌ Why so many resignations happen in January (and how to prevent them) ๐ฐ Latest news on HR and employment updates, ADHD support and parental leave โ Plus, your questions answered Read it below ๐

Research shows that 24% of women exit the labor market in their first year of motherhood. That’s a lot of good people walking away from businesses that invested time and energy in training them. I’ve written about why so many new mothers leave after parental leave, and what keeps them. Read it below ๐

Growing your business feels amazing. More customers, more revenue, more people joining your team. But growth often exposes gaps in your HR foundations that you didn’t even know were there. Processes that worked fine with three employees can quickly cause problems when you have 10 or 15, especially when it comes to compliance and consistency. I’ve written about the legal risks that most often trip up growing businesses, and how to avoid them. Read it below ๐




