In this episode of Buzzing About HR, we land right in that familiar end-of-year mess. It is the 23rd of December. The calendar is on the floor, budget papers are trapped under a mug, and the to-do list looks like it is breeding.

If December chaos has a habit of following you straight into January, this episode is here to stop that from happening.

This is a calm, practical reset to help you step into 2026 feeling a bit more organised and a lot less behind. Over a brisk, biscuit-fuelled hour, I talk through the people practices that genuinely helped small teams stay steady in 2025. Things like better onboarding, fairer pay decisions, and training that leaves a proper trail of proof instead of just good intentions.

We also tackle the Employment Rights Act in human language. What is already live? What is coming next, and what does that actually mean for your business day to day? I turn the legal stuff into practical actions you can take now, like clearer offer letters, simpler day one information, manager scripts that explain tricky topics without causing a mutiny, and short, sensible training that people might actually remember.

If January usually starts with firefighting, I also share five specific moves to steady things quickly. Short diary slots to tidy your handbook, sweep payroll, and brief managers. A one-page people list with pay rates, start dates, and probation milestones. A basic onboarding starter pack. And a simple way to redesign the role with the highest churn so your next hire has a better chance of staying.

We also cover the questions that always pop up at this time of year. What to update now and what can wait. How to prove training without making it a drama. What really applies to tiny teams. Why apprenticeships still make sense. And how to explain frozen tax thresholds in a way that normal human beings can actually follow.

If you want to start the year with less chaos and a bit more control, this episode is for you.

Subscribe, share it with another owner who needs a calmer January, and tell me which of the five moves you are going to do first.

If you’re not 100% sure how your HR is really holding up, take our free HR Health Check. It’s short, jargon-free, and gives you a clear score on what’s working — and what needs a bit of love.

And if you do it before 1st April 2026, you’ll get a bonus 7 Pillar Strategy-on-a-Page, tailored to help you manage HR brilliantly for the year ahead. That’s it for today, but if you fancy a bit of friendly HR advice in your inbox (with zero waffle), come and join our newsletter.

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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.