Workplace problems in small businesses don't stay small for long. In small businesses, these problems affect more people and spread faster than in larger companies. The relaxed atmosphere that makes small businesses great can also be their downfall. Everyone knows each other's business, banter flows freely and boundaries get blurry. What starts as harmless jokes can quickly become something more serious: Someone gets excluded from conversations Comments about appearance, personal life or protected classes become the norm Criticism gets personal instead of professional Unwanted touching, inappropriate jokes or persistent requests for dates The worst part is that most people don't even realize they've crossed a line. Why it gets out of hand quickly I've seen business owners ignore the early signs because they don't want to make waves. "It's just their personality" they tell themselves. But here's what actually happens in small businesses: Productivity drops across the whole team (not just one department) Good people start looking elsewhere (and you can't afford to lose anyone) Customer service suffers because staff are distracted or unhappy The person causing the issue often has no idea there's even a problem You end up dealing with it personally instead of having HR handle it By the time you're dealing with a formal complaint or someone gives notice, it's too late. I've watched brilliant small businesses lose their best people because they didn't see the warning signs early enough. Getting clear on what's acceptable Write down 5-10 specific examples of how you want people to treat each other. Not vague statements about "being nice," but specific behaviors. Think about the behaviors you see in your best employees. What do they do that makes everyone else feel comfortable and valued? Speaking respectfully to everyone, whether they're colleagues, customers or vendors No gossip about other staff members No inappropriate comments about appearance, relationships or personal characteristics Raising concerns with you when direct conversation isn't appropriate Including everyone in conversations and social activities Keeping feedback professional and constructive Supporting each other during busy periods Actually following through Once you've got your list, you need to actually use it. Talk about these when someone new starts. Bring them up during quiet moments or when you're doing one-to-ones. When you see the behavior you want, acknowledge it. When something feels off, address it quickly and privately. Don't let things fester. You need to show what you want to see. If you want respectful communication, make sure you're communicating respectfully. Where to start This week, spend 10 minutes jotting down the behaviors that make your workplace function well. What do you want new hires to experience when they join? Then bring it up next time you get a chance to speak with your staff. Make it a conversation, not a lecture. Ask for their input. Frame it as protecting something valuable you've all built together. If you want help with creating behavior guidelines that actually work for your specific business, get in touch. Sometimes it helps to have someone from outside look at your workplace dynamics and help you to spot the blind spots.

When an important or “critical” employee leaves your business, the impact is immediate. 1: Knowledge and experience walks out of the door 2: It’s incredibly expensive to replace and train someone new 3: Your business slows down That’s why succession planning is so important. Even for companies with just 10 employees. "Succession planning" is simply knowing who could take on critical roles and making sure that they’re ready ahead of time. Our latest guide shows you how to identify critical roles (often not the most senior), spot who could step up and get them ready. Read it below.

November's HR update covers the changes affecting small businesses right now. It includes: ⚖️ How to stay ready for proposed changes to employment laws 📄 Getting Form I-9 checks completed correctly 📊 Why disability claims are up Plus, we answer your questions on social media policies, job titles and PTO carryover. Read it below 👇

If you’re hiring someone new as a W-2 employee, then you must complete Form I-9 to verify their identity and work authorization. This applies to every role and every nationality. Get it wrong and you risk costly fines, possible criminal penalties for repeated violations and serious damage to your business and reputation. We’ve put together a step-by-step guide to I-9 compliance. Read it below.

Absenteeism is rising across many workplaces. 📈 On average, US employees take around 3 to 4.5 sick days each year. And you're probably feeling it in your business. You can't control the winter flu season or someone's chronic health condition. But there's a simple 10-minute conversation that most business owners skip completely. This week I'm sharing how return-to-work conversations can help to reduce repeat absences and build trust across your whole team. Read it below 👇

Is a company handbook actually worth it? From an expert HR consultant's perspective, absolutely. And in our latest article, we share exactly why, and what it protects you from. 

As a business owner, making sure your team is happy and engaged should be something you prioritize, because it fuels business success. But what actually drives that engagement?  Here's what the research tells us: 1. A caring, capable manager • Managers account for about 70% of team engagement variance. Their support, clarity and feedback matter most. • Regular one-on-one check-ins, clear goal setting and guidance boost trust and performance. 2. Clarity, purpose and strength-based work • People want to know how their role fits into the bigger picture and how to use their unique strengths. • A strong strategic vision, communicated well, inspires belief and belonging. 3. Autonomy and empowerment • Freedom to make decisions. • Less micromanagement. 4. Feeling heard and recognized • Recognition from managers and peers increases retention and engagement. • Soliciting input, giving credit and acting on feedback fosters a culture of respect. 5. Work-life balance and well-being • Burnout is a top engagement killer. Flexible schedules, time off and stress relief matter. • Programs like mental health support, resilience coaching and fair workloads help teams to thrive. 6. Psychological safety and respectful culture • Teams perform best when they can speak up, take risks and trust each other. • Respectful workplaces (where people feel valued) boost well-being, collaboration and retention. 7. Growth and development opportunities • Learning and career progression are essential drivers. Without them, engagement slips. • Mentorship, workshops, stretch assignments and volunteering programs help people to grow. 8. Good tools, communication and structure • Providing the right tech, clear roles and reliable processes frees people to do their best work. • Strong internal communication and transparency build trust and alignment. How to activate engagement today 1. Train and support your managers. They’re the biggest influence. 2. Clarify mission and roles, tying work to the wider vision. 3. Empower teams with decision-making latitude. 4. Create psychological safety through trust, respect and open dialogue. 5. Invest in well-being: flexible work, mental health support, stress relief. 6. Offer growth paths, mentorship and stretch projects. 7. Recognize contributions publicly and often. 8. Equip people properly with tools, structure and communication. Want to make your team happier and more engaged? Get in touch today.

HR isn’t just about keeping you out of trouble. Done well, it helps your business to run more smoothly, keeps your team on track and sets you up for long-term growth. But not all HR support is the same. It comes in three levels, and knowing the difference can help you to choose the right kind of help for your business.  Level 1: Advisory HR Keeping the lights on and the business legally safe. This is the foundation layer. The essential compliance work that keeps things from falling through the cracks. What it includes: • Handbooks that are legally sound • HR policies that are clear, practical and protect you • Handling day-to-day issues, like absences, lateness and conduct • Keeping employee records up to date and secure • Making sure you're compliant with employment law and payroll basics Level 2: Tactical HR Fixing problems, improving processes and helping your people to perform.Tactical HR is about putting better people systems in place, not just reacting to issues, but improving on how things work day to day. What it includes: • Hiring the right people and onboarding them properly • Helping managers to handle difficult conversations or underperformance • Introducing consistent performance reviews and feedback • Improving communication and team dynamics • Rolling out workplace policies (e.g., hybrid work, PTO or attendance procedures) • Coaching and supporting managers to lead effectively Level 3: Strategic HR Aligning your people with your long-term goals. Strategic HR helps you to plan ahead. It’s about designing the kind of team you’ll need to grow and creating a structure that supports your vision. What it includes: • Workforce planning: who to hire, when and why • Identifying future leaders and building career paths • Keeping your company culture strong as you scale • Using HR data to improve retention and engagement • Supporting big changes, like restructuring, funding growth or expansion Which level do you actually need? • If you're still stuck in admin or worried about compliance, start at Level 1. • If you're hiring the wrong people or dealing with team issues, you need Level 2. • If you're planning for growth or thinking about the future, Level 3 is essential. The best HR consultants can support you at any level. But knowing what level you're operating at helps you to get the right support and stops you from wasting time and money on the wrong kind. Want help in figuring out what level of support your business actually needs? That’s exactly what we do. Let’s talk.

October’s newsletter is here with everything that’s been happening in the small business world. It includes: 📋 The compliance mistakes that keep catching people out (and costing them thousands) 📈 Why growth can expose gaps in your HR foundations that you didn’t even know existed ⏰ Your team might be clocking more unpaid hours than you think 🎉 Some good news about small business permit reforms that could make expansion easier 🧠 The mental health challenges that are hitting businesses hard right now ❓Plus we answer your latest questions. Read it below 👇