The UK’s Employment Rights Bill is set to become law as the Employment Rights Act 2025 and arguably represents the most significant overhaul of workplace legislation in a generation.
Ah, World Kindness Day. It makes us feel all warm and snug, every year. Hygge-like. As the international news stories tell of ever-more alarming crises, and as waves of anger seem to roll through our streets, kindness may seem like a rare occurrence these days. But that's all the more reason to uphold it. Kindness may seem scarce in the modern world, but it's also precious, and worth protecting…
We all love to say yes. It's built into our human psyche. We want to please - to feel that tiny flare of endorphins, and to see that light of satisfaction in the eyes of the person across the table. And when that other person is your boss, there's an even stronger driver to pull out all the stops. To comply with every request. To push beyond your limits…
Let’s face it, Dads: whatever your situation, choosing to have children is a really daunting prospect. Am I going to know what to do? Am I going to mess them up? How do I change a nappy? Are they going to support my favourite sports team? When am I going to spend time with them?…
It's still satisfying, isn't it? That first underfoot, autumnal crunch. It calls to the small child hiding inside each of us. But as an adult, the concept of crunch time can take on a whole new meaning. This Autumn, we've welcomed back a member of our fantastic 9-2-3 team from maternity leave. We're delighted to see her again - we've missed her fabulous sense of humour, and her innovative approach. The 9-2-3 airwaves have rung with stories of the return from our own maternity leaves. There have been increasingly enthusiastic - indeed, some might say almost frantic - attempts to pass on several attics' worth of toddler clothes and train sets…
Now, I know that a blog about the logistical challenges of implementing flex in the workplace is not the most inspiring topic in the world. As a passionate advocate of flexible working, it is all too easy for me to reel off reasons why it is so powerful. The benefits to business are not in dispute - proven advantages include a happier, more productive workforce, less sick days taken by staff, increased profits, I could (and on many occasions, do) go on …………… But what people don’t hear about quite so often is exactly HOW businesses make flexible working work within their organisation.
Perhaps it was the return of confidence or the break away from lego building, but something was telling me I was just so ready for a new opportunity. I was excited to tell people about what I was doing, I became EVEN more efficient with my time (if that is physically possible when already having a young family), it was like I had a new lease of life and, admittedly, such an ego boost, as things seemed to be going so well and clicking into place with work & life and the juggle.
The phrase ‘returning to work after children’ seems to suggest to some people that you’re looking for a job that will be some sort of tepid compromise…something that you only accept because it works between school drop off at 8:03 and your youngest’s badminton lesson at 15:20. NO THANK YOU! I mean, don’t get me wrong, I love our three children and I will of course be claiming at least fifty percent of the glory if any of them end up on an Olympic podium, badminton racquet in hand but my career is exactly that – mine. Returning to work after children for me was first and foremost about finding something that would be a clear and positive progression in a long and happy career.
