First published on Thursday, October 30, 2025
Last updated on Thursday, October 30, 2025
Welcome to HR Heartbeat, where we take a look at the week’s most pressing HR and employment law stories. With over 18 years’ experience in employee relations, I give my opinion on current trends impacting your business, as well as my own personal commentary on all things HR and legal.
“This meeting should have been an email”
Every year, UK businesses lose an astounding £13.2bn. Any guesses how? If you guessed unnecessary meetings, emails, and admin, you’re right. According to a recent survey, middle managers across the UK spend an estimated 7.3 weeks each, per year, on low-value tasks. That equates to over £13bn per year.
So, what can be done? As I often say, communication is so important at all levels of business. Managers can provide really valuable insight into the day-to-day challenges of a business. Our performance management software shows you that reviews don’t have to be a chore. With agenda templates, forms and action points, they remove the admin and give you the time back for a genuine talk.
If you’re making a manager more productive, you’re making a business more productive. And if you’ve ever sat in a meeting wondering how you got there, you’re in good company.
You don’t need to buy me flowers…
…but a thank you would be nice. A survey of 2,000 UK employees has revealed that a fifth of employees have never been thanked by their employer. And over half said that a lack of recognition has a negative impact on their motivation.
At BrightHR, we’re making staff recognition part of our day to day. Our Praise platform makes it fun, with a digital platform that has gamified the feedback process. With one click, our teams can celebrate and appreciate each other with peer-to-peer praise.
And we’re spreading the love with Bright Exchange, our perks platform with exclusive offers, discounts, and deals. So, if you’re up for team building with a bit of axe throwing, or showing your appreciation with some letterbox brownies, there’s an offer for you. It’s available to all BrightHR clients and their employees. You can also advertise your business for free to over 1 million potential customers.
Teacher wins £137k for discrimination and harassment
The teacher had been told she “let colleagues… and students down” after taking sick leave for an operation. As part of the ruling, management at the school have been told to implement disability awareness training. Check out BrightLearn, our e-learning portal, and make sure your teams are up to date on all of the essential topics.
UK employees are taking a record number of sick days. And this time of year will see a peak in sickness absences. Between flu season, seasonal affective dips, and family- and care-related absences, it’s a predictable challenge. A clear absence policy will help your employees understand their sickness absence rights and responsibilities. And it’ll help your managers talk to them appropriately. We’re giving away a free absence policy to help you through it.
And that’s a wrap from me. Tune in next time for my take on the latest headlines and employment law stories, helping keep your business ahead!
