Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust has launched a new magazine to promote mental and physical health awareness, which will be of interest to all employers looking to gain a greater insight into the impact of mental ill health on employees. I should declare an interest here. Speak Your Mind is edited by Kelly Mansfield, who for many years was the editor of Workplace Law Magazine, which we published. Kelly was (and is!) a brilliant editor, and it was during her tenure in charge that our company achieved arguably its greatest a... Continue reading

In many ways, the ‘gig economy’ has become the testing ground for new ideas about flexible working patterns, which might become the model for Generation Z. For those seeking work, it is all about working as and when you want to do so; without commitment; on an irregular basis, to fit work around other priorities. For those recruiting, it is all about tapping into an otherwise under-utilised workforce, limiting the commitment in respect of the provision of work. Whilst this looks at first sight to be a methodology to suit all parties, some ... Continue reading

Our first learners joined us in the last week of September: the course was very well received and culminated in lots of discussion and actions from the many course participants. The five days proved to be really valuable for our learners, with debate and discussion, lots of shared experiences and ideas, as well as clear aims and goals to take back to the workplace.   Gaining approval to run this course has been a long term-aim of International Workplace, to ensure that the health in ‘H&S’ is taken as seriously as the safety. Well-being... Continue reading

In an ideal world, we’d all like to work in a workplace that’s fair, transparent and legally compliant. However, recent cases for unfair dismissal have presented some employers as non-compliant, unreasonable or archaic at the very least. Too cute In 2013, Dilek Edwards, a massage therapist from Iowa State, filed a lawsuit for unfair dismissal against her former boss, Charles Nicolai, and his wife Stephanie Adams, following her dismissal as a result of Nicolai telling his wife she ‘might become jealous’ of Edwards because she was ‘to... Continue reading

The Worshipful Company of Pattenmakers Young Manager Award, supported by RICS, is one of many facilities management awards that is on offer each year. To be honest it is probably one of the least well-known. It’s actually very different from the other awards. Entrants must be nominated by their employer. Entry is free. There is no glitzy awards ceremony (though the winner does get to meet the Lord Mayor of London). And most important of all, the winner receives a small bursary as well as expert support to create a personal development progr... Continue reading