Jo Trimarco

What are the basic SME health and safety responsibilities? SME health and safety can feel like a large and technical subject, particularly when you run a small business without a dedicated health and safety team. However, for many small, low-risk businesses, the legal requirements can be managed through sensible, proportionate arrangements. So, what are the […]

A final written warning is a serious disciplinary sanction. It will usually mean that any further misconduct, or failure to improve, could place the employee’s job at risk. In most cases, an employer will begin with a first written warning. However, there are situations where an employer may reasonably move straight to a final written […]

Terminating employment is rarely an easy conversation. For many SME owners, it can also be one of the most stressful aspects of running a business. Whether it’s poor performance, misconduct, long-term absence or a business restructure, getting the process wrong can expose your business to costly claims, damaged employee relations and significant disruption. The good […]

The Warning Signs Employers Should Not Ignore For many business owners, restructuring or making redundancies is one of the most difficult decisions they will ever face. No employer wants to make changes that affect people’s jobs. However, changing business demands, financial pressure, or operational issues can mean businesses need to adapt to remain sustainable and […]

Building the right team is one of the most important decisions you’ll make, especially if you want to stay compliant and avoid costly mistakes. If you need support, our HR support for small businesses can help. But not every role needs a full-time employee. You might need short-term help, specialist skills, or flexible support as […]

Over the past 12 months, I’ve seen a noticeable shift in how employees are raising grievances, appealing redundancies, and challenging disciplinaries. More and more are turning to AI tools such as ChatGPT to draft their complaints. On the surface, this sounds like progress. AI can improve structure, remove emotional language and help people articulate concerns […]

HR law is changing. Running a business is busy. HR tasks often fall to the bottom of the list, until something goes wrong. But 2026 is shaping up to be a year of important employment law changes in the UK. Employers who prepare early will avoid risk, protect their teams, and save money in the […]

At its core, performance management should help you set clear expectations, check in regularly, spot issues early, support improvement, and recognise good work. That is it. It is not about complex forms, scoring systems, or annual appraisals. Instead, it is about regular conversations and clear structure that support both your people and your business. Step […]

  What are “Protected Characteristics” under the Equality Act 2010, and what do SMEs need to know? Running a small business isn’t just about getting the job done, it’s about treating people fairly along the way. That’s where the Equality Act 2010 comes in. It’s the main UK law protecting people from discrimination in the […]

Employee Resigns Then Goes Off Sick: Do You Pay Full Notice or SSP? Running an SME means every penny and every person counts. If an employee resigns and then goes off sick during their notice period, it’s natural to wonder: Should you pay their full notice pay or just Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)? The short […]