The Pocket HR Blog
Plain-English HR answers for owners of care, early years and other small businesses that run on their people. Each post is written by me, Arrun, checked against Acas and GOV.UK, and dated so you know how current it is.
Recent articles
- 15 October 2026 How do I handle an employee grievance fairly? A small team guide An employee has raised a grievance. Here's a calm, fair process for small teams, step by step, based on the Acas Code of Practice.
- 14 October 2026 "That could easily be us." What usually goes wrong, and what usually stops it Heard a story from another care or nursery owner and thought "that could be us"? The three small gaps usually behind it, and how to close them.
- 28 September 2026 Five employees? Congratulations. Here's what changes (and what doesn't) Reached five employees? Here's the one legal change that kicks in, the myths that don't, and the simple HR basics worth putting in place now.
- 28 August 2026 Do I need an employee handbook? A plain-English guide for UK small businesses An employee handbook is not legally required in the UK, but a written statement of terms is. What a small business actually needs, and what to put in it.
- 28 August 2026 Hiring your first employee in the UK: the legal checklist Taking on your first employee? What UK law requires: the written statement, employer's liability insurance, PAYE, pensions and right to work checks.