Buzzing About HR

The clock is ticking.

In just days, neonatal care leave and pay becomes law. From April 2025, eligible employees will be entitled to up to 12 weeks of additional leave if their newborn needs hospital care. For some families, that will make the difference between coping and falling apart.

In this episode of Buzzing About HR, we break down exactly what employers need to know. Who qualifies. How the 26-week service requirement and earnings threshold work. What statutory pay looks like. And how the leave can be taken flexibly in blocks within a 68-week window.

But this is not just a compliance update.

Neonatal care leave is about real families facing one of the most frightening starts to parenthood. It is about time, space, and security when everything feels uncertain.

We also talk through what HR teams should be doing right now. Updating policies. Briefing managers. Checking payroll systems. Reviewing absence processes. Making sure the paperwork matches the law. And having the right conversations before someone needs this support in a crisis.

There is also an often-overlooked opportunity. Review your business insurance policies. Some employers can enhance pay with minimal extra cost if cover is already in place. It is worth checking before you assume it is unaffordable.

We are especially proud to connect this episode to our Charity of the Year, New Life Special Care Babies, which supports neonatal units across the UK. Their work is a powerful reminder that behind every policy is a family navigating something incredibly tough.

Whether you are fully prepared or scrambling to get ready, this episode gives you clear, practical steps to make sure your business is compliant and compassionate.

Visit our website for policy templates, statutory rate tables, and practical resources.

Because compliance matters. But how you show up for people in difficult moments matters even more.

If you're not sure how your HR is really holding up, take the free HR Health Check. It's short, jargon-free, and gives you a clear score on what's working and what could do with a bit of love.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe so you never miss one, and leave a review if you've got thirty seconds. It honestly does help more small business owners find the show, and it's the cheapest good deed you'll do all week.

Got a question or need actual HR support? Find Kate at kateunderwoodhr.co.uk, email [email protected], or follow along on social.

Until next time, keep buzzing, and take care of your people.

The Employment Rights Bill is not a small tweak. It is one of the biggest shifts in UK employment law in years, and it will change how small businesses hire, manage, and exit people.

In this episode of Buzzing About HR, Kate breaks down what is actually changing, what has been softened or scrapped, and what it really means if you run a small business.

Unfair dismissal is set to become a day one right instead of requiring two years’ service. The controversial fire and rehire practice faces heavy restrictions, with potential penalties rising sharply. Redundancy rules are tightening to stop businesses avoiding consultation by spreading smaller cuts across different sites. Zero-hours workers are likely to gain rights to more predictable or guaranteed hours after regular work, and compensation for last-minute shift cancellations is on the table.

There is more. Holiday pay records must be kept for six years. Tribunal time limits are expected to double from three to six months. A new Fair Work Agency will have enforcement powers, meaning compliance is no longer just about reacting to claims.

This episode is not a legal lecture. It is a practical conversation about what small businesses need to start doing now.

Kate walks through a sensible action plan. Review your contracts. Check your probation processes. Tighten up documentation. Look at how you manage consultations. Train managers to have clearer conversations. And make sure your record keeping could stand up if challenged.

The message is simple. Do not wait until 2026 and panic. Build good habits now so the legislation feels like refinement, not a shock.

If you want to understand how the Employment Rights Bill affects your business in plain English, this episode is your starting point.

Subscribe and stay tuned for next week’s episode, where we cover neonatal leave changes coming into force in April 2025 and what employers need to have in place.

Let’s be honest, culture shifts when people feel safe to speak up.

New rules mean you’re legally required to take reasonable steps to prevent harassment.

SafeVoice helps you do just that.

It’s a simple, confidential way for your team to raise concerns — no faff, no tech headaches.
✔ Builds trust
✔ Meets your legal duty

👉 kateunderwoodhr.co.uk/services/safevoice

If you're not sure how your HR is really holding up, take the free HR Health Check. It's short, jargon-free, and gives you a clear score on what's working and what could do with a bit of love.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe so you never miss one, and leave a review if you've got thirty seconds. It honestly does help more small business owners find the show, and it's the cheapest good deed you'll do all week.

Got a question or need actual HR support? Find Kate at kateunderwoodhr.co.uk, email [email protected], or follow along on social.

Until next time, keep buzzing, and take care of your people.

National Insurance rises to 15 percent in April 2025.

For small businesses, that is not a headline. It is a hit to cash flow.

Payroll is already one of your biggest costs. Margins are tight. And now employer NI is climbing again. The temptation is to absorb it and move on.

But what if you could offset some of that increase without cutting roles or freezing pay?

In this episode of Buzzing About HR, we unpack one of the few genuine win-wins available right now: salary sacrifice.

Done properly, it allows employees to exchange part of their gross salary for a benefit they already value, such as pension contributions, an electric vehicle scheme, or cycle to work. Because the swap happens before tax and National Insurance, both the employee and the employer reduce their NI liability.

At a time when NI is rising, that matters.

We break it down simply. How it works. What the savings can look like. And how small businesses are already using it strategically.

You will hear real examples of teams saving thousands a year through pension salary sacrifice while increasing employees’ retirement savings. Retail businesses lowering NI costs through electric vehicle schemes while strengthening their sustainability message. Smaller firms using cycle-to-work to reduce contributions while helping staff cut commuting costs.

This is not about gimmicks. It is about structuring what you are already paying in a smarter way.

We also talk through the practical side. Clear communication. Written agreements. Compliance checks. Salary sacrifice needs to be implemented properly to avoid confusion or risk.

If the NI increase feels like another squeeze on already stretched margins, this episode offers a constructive response rather than a reactive one.

If you want to understand whether salary sacrifice could work in your business, tune in. It might be one of the most commercially useful HR conversations you have this year.

Let’s be honest, culture shifts when people feel safe to speak up.

New rules mean you’re legally required to take reasonable steps to prevent harassment.

SafeVoice helps you do just that.

It’s a simple, confidential way for your team to raise concerns — no faff, no tech headaches.
✔ Builds trust
✔ Meets your legal duty

👉 kateunderwoodhr.co.uk/services/safevoice

If you're not sure how your HR is really holding up, take the free HR Health Check. It's short, jargon-free, and gives you a clear score on what's working and what could do with a bit of love.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe so you never miss one, and leave a review if you've got thirty seconds. It honestly does help more small business owners find the show, and it's the cheapest good deed you'll do all week.

Got a question or need actual HR support? Find Kate at kateunderwoodhr.co.uk, email [email protected], or follow along on social.

Until next time, keep buzzing, and take care of your people.

Have you ever given a quick pay rise to keep someone from leaving, only to watch it snowball into resentment across your team? That knee-jerk decision might be costing you far more than you realize.

With International Women's Day approaching and the National Living Wage set to increase next month, pay fairness questions are unavoidable for small business leaders. This episode dives deep into the real-world challenges of handling counter offers and pay decisions when margins are tight and good people are getting poached.

We walk through a practical decision framework that helps you navigate these difficult moments with clarity and consistency. You'll learn how to choose the right mechanism for each situation—whether that's a retention bonus, market adjustment, or progression increase—while protecting your business from equal pay risks that affect companies of all sizes.

The legal lowdown section demystifies equal pay law in plain English, addressing common misconceptions head-on. Contrary to popular belief, equal pay applies to businesses of all sizes, not just those required to report. Jobs don't need to be identical for comparisons to be valid, and "market rate" isn't a magic defence unless you can prove it with solid evidence.

Through mini-dramas illustrating common pay scenarios gone wrong, we demonstrate how seemingly small decisions can trigger costly spirals of resentment, claims, and turnover. The episode closes with a rapid-fire Q&A addressing your most pressing questions about comparators, job evaluation, and time limits for claims.

Pay decisions are well-being decisions that directly impact both your people and performance. Which approach will cost your business less: creating a fair structure that withstands scrutiny, or constantly firefighting departures and rebuilding teams? 

Download our free one-page Paym Rise Decision Flow and share it with your busiest manager today.

If you're not sure how your HR is really holding up, take the free HR Health Check. It's short, jargon-free, and gives you a clear score on what's working and what could do with a bit of love.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe so you never miss one, and leave a review if you've got thirty seconds. It honestly does help more small business owners find the show, and it's the cheapest good deed you'll do all week.

Got a question or need actual HR support? Find Kate at kateunderwoodhr.co.uk, email [email protected], or follow along on social.

Until next time, keep buzzing, and take care of your people.

The future of work is a hot topic, especially as we navigate the intricate dynamics of hybrid and in-office models. In this episode, we dive deep into the battle of work styles, examining the perks and pitfalls of each approach. With many employees now comfortable working from couch to boardroom, we explore how hybrid structures can offer flexibility while still retaining the energy and collaboration of an office environment.

The conversation doesn’t shy away from challenges; we discuss communication hurdles, potential feelings of isolation, and the importance of regular engagement—especially for remote team members. As we dissect the benefits of face-to-face interactions, we collectively ponder whether the short commute to the office could outweigh the cuddly comforts of home. Our insightful discussions offer valuable insights into finding the right balance for your organisation, helping you navigate between comfort and productivity.

We also highlight strategies for implementing an effective work model tailored to your team's unique needs. From core hours to leveraging technology for engagement, the episode offers actionable takeaways that leaders can utilize immediately. Join us as we explore future trends and the evolving expectations of employees. Don’t miss out on essential insights designed to help you maximise employee satisfaction and productivity—whether they're dressed in pyjamas or business casual. 

Connect with us, share your thoughts, and experience the journey of transforming workplace culture for the better! Subscribe now and join the conversation!

If you're not sure how your HR is really holding up, take the free HR Health Check. It's short, jargon-free, and gives you a clear score on what's working and what could do with a bit of love.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe so you never miss one, and leave a review if you've got thirty seconds. It honestly does help more small business owners find the show, and it's the cheapest good deed you'll do all week.

Got a question or need actual HR support? Find Kate at kateunderwoodhr.co.uk, email [email protected], or follow along on social.

Until next time, keep buzzing, and take care of your people.

In this episode of Buzzing About HR, host Kate Underwood takes a closer look at the rise in National Insurance contributions coming in April 2025 and what it really means for small and medium-sized businesses.

With contributions increasing to 15%, many employers are already feeling the squeeze. Payroll costs are climbing, hiring decisions are being delayed, and some businesses are even considering redundancies to stay afloat. Others are exploring contractor arrangements to cut costs, but that brings its own challenges, especially with proposed changes that could abolish zero-hours contracts altogether.

Kate unpicks how these shifts could ripple through your workforce, from engagement and morale to long-term planning. She shares practical, people-first strategies to help you steady the ship, protect jobs where you can, and keep your culture strong even when budgets are tight.

If you are a small business owner or HR lead wondering how to balance the books without burning out your team, this episode will help you find that middle ground between financial reality and human impact.

For hands-on support, you can reach Kate at [email protected] for a strategy session, contract review, or to book a free HR Health Check.

You will also find more tips and updates at www.kateunderwoodhr.co.uk.

Let’s be honest, culture shifts when people feel safe to speak up.

New rules mean you’re legally required to take reasonable steps to prevent harassment.

SafeVoice helps you do just that.

It’s a simple, confidential way for your team to raise concerns — no faff, no tech headaches.
✔ Builds trust
✔ Meets your legal duty

👉 kateunderwoodhr.co.uk/services/safevoice

If you're not sure how your HR is really holding up, take the free HR Health Check. It's short, jargon-free, and gives you a clear score on what's working and what could do with a bit of love.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe so you never miss one, and leave a review if you've got thirty seconds. It honestly does help more small business owners find the show, and it's the cheapest good deed you'll do all week.

Got a question or need actual HR support? Find Kate at kateunderwoodhr.co.uk, email [email protected], or follow along on social.

Until next time, keep buzzing, and take care of your people.

In this episode of Buzzing About HR, host Kate Underwood explores one of the most important topics for any workplace: mental health.

For small and medium-sized businesses, the impact of poor mental health can be huge. But with the right approach, supporting your team’s wellbeing isn’t just good ethics, it’s good business.

Kate shares practical ways to create a mentally healthy workplace, the role of leaders in setting the tone, and why investing in mental health support can pay off in performance, loyalty and culture.

Here’s what’s covered in this episode:

• The current state of mental health in UK workplaces

• Why SMEs often feel the strain most

• Kate’s own experience of mental health and seeking support

• How proactive strategies make all the difference

• Using the Mind.org.uk Workplace Action Plans effectively

• The value of occupational health services

• The real economic benefits of investing in mental health

• Common questions and practical solutions from the field

• A call to action for business owners and HR professionals to make mental health a priority

☕ And if you’re ready to see how your business measures up, start with a FREE HR Health Check.

If you're not sure how your HR is really holding up, take the free HR Health Check. It's short, jargon-free, and gives you a clear score on what's working and what could do with a bit of love.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe so you never miss one, and leave a review if you've got thirty seconds. It honestly does help more small business owners find the show, and it's the cheapest good deed you'll do all week.

Got a question or need actual HR support? Find Kate at kateunderwoodhr.co.uk, email [email protected], or follow along on social.

Until next time, keep buzzing, and take care of your people.

In this episode of Buzzing About HR, host Kate Underwood tackles one of the hardest parts of running a business: redundancies.

Whether it’s financial pressure, restructuring, or simply the need to evolve, making roles redundant is never just a legal process — it’s a human one. Kate unpacks how to do it properly: with fairness, empathy, and a clear plan that keeps both the business and its people steady through change.

You’ll learn how to:

• Plan a compliant redundancy process from start to finish
• Communicate difficult news with honesty and care
• Support those staying behind to avoid “survivor syndrome”
• Keep morale, trust, and engagement from falling off a cliff

If you’re a business owner or HR lead facing tough choices, or just want to be better prepared for the future, this episode will help you approach redundancies with confidence and compassion, and keep your culture intact along the way.

Ready to check how resilient your people processes are? Complete a FREE HR Health Check and see where your business stands.

If you're not sure how your HR is really holding up, take the free HR Health Check. It's short, jargon-free, and gives you a clear score on what's working and what could do with a bit of love.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe so you never miss one, and leave a review if you've got thirty seconds. It honestly does help more small business owners find the show, and it's the cheapest good deed you'll do all week.

Got a question or need actual HR support? Find Kate at kateunderwoodhr.co.uk, email [email protected], or follow along on social.

Until next time, keep buzzing, and take care of your people.

Buzzing About HR
Straight talking HR for real businesses.

Welcome to the hive.

This is the podcast for business owners and managers who sometimes think, “Why does managing people feel harder than running the actual business?”

If you have ever opened your inbox to a resignation you did not expect, avoided a tricky conversation for weeks, or found yourself googling employment law late at night hoping for a straight answer, you are in exactly the right place.

I am Kate Underwood. I work with small businesses every day, often when things feel messy, uncomfortable or slightly on fire. Buzzing About HR is where we talk honestly about what really happens at work, not what the textbook says should happen.

Each episode digs into the real people stuff. The awkward conversations. The grey areas. The decisions you have to make without a perfect answer. There is no fluffy nonsense here and no corporate waffle. Just practical advice you can actually use, shared with warmth, humour and a good dose of realism.

We talk about things like:
How to handle difficult conversations without losing sleep
How to make compliance feel like protection, not punishment
How to build a culture people want to stay in
How to stay sane while running a business that never really switches off

You will hear real stories from the frontline, lessons learned the hard way and simple frameworks to help you make better people decisions with confidence.

The podcast is powered by cake, coffee and the quiet judgement of Hazel, our resident Wellbeing Officer, who firmly believes most HR problems could be solved with clearer boundaries and better snacks.

If you want to know where your business really stands, start with a free HR Health Check. It will show you what is working, what is wobbling and what to fix first. You will find it at www.kateunderwoodhr.co.uk.

You can also visit the website, email [email protected], or connect with me on social media for behind-the-scenes moments and the occasional photo of Hazel on tea break duty.

So grab a coffee, pull up a chair and let’s talk about the people side of business properly.

Thank you for listening to Buzzing About HR.

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe, rate and leave a review. It really helps more small businesses find support that makes sense.

Until next time, keep buzzing and take care of your people. 🐝

If you're not sure how your HR is really holding up, take the free HR Health Check. It's short, jargon-free, and gives you a clear score on what's working and what could do with a bit of love.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe so you never miss one, and leave a review if you've got thirty seconds. It honestly does help more small business owners find the show, and it's the cheapest good deed you'll do all week.

Got a question or need actual HR support? Find Kate at kateunderwoodhr.co.uk, email [email protected], or follow along on social.

Until next time, keep buzzing, and take care of your people.