In this episode of Buzzing About HR, we drop into that familiar end of year moment. It is the 23rd of December. The calendar has slid onto the floor, budget papers are wedged under a mug, and the to do list looks like it is multiplying when you are not looking. If December chaos has a habit of following you into January, this episode is designed to stop that happening.
This is a calm, practical reset to help you step into 2026 feeling organised rather than already behind. Over a brisk, biscuit fuelled hour, I share the wins that really mattered in 2025 and the people practices that kept small teams functioning when everything else felt busy. Things like tighter onboarding, fair pay decisions, and training that actually leaves a trail of proof instead of just good intentions.
We also tackle the Employment Rights Bill in human language. What is already live. What is coming next. And what that actually means for your business day to day. I translate the law into practical actions you can take now, including clearer offer letters, simple day one information, manager scripts that explain tricky topics without causing a revolt, and short, sensible training with tiny quizzes so reasonable steps mean something in real life.
If January usually starts with firefighting, I give you five very specific moves to steady things fast. Blocking short diary slots to tidy your handbook, sweep payroll, and brief managers. Building a one page people list that shows rates, start dates and probation milestones. Creating an onboarding starter pack that makes new hires feel welcome and useful on day one. And picking the role with the highest churn so you can redesign its first 90 days properly.
We also run through the questions that tend to come up at this time of year. What to update now versus later. How to prove training without making it a drama. What really applies to tiny teams. Why apprenticeships still make sense. And how to explain frozen tax thresholds using net pay examples that people actually understand.
Looking ahead, I also flag what data is worth capturing for predictable hours, probation outcomes and future changes, so you are not scrambling later. This episode is about simple preparation that saves you time, stress and avoidable mistakes.
If you want help choosing tools that give you time back, you can book a discovery call via the show notes. And if you prefer to quietly prepare in the background, join the newsletter and I will nudge you when key dates land.
Subscribe, share this with another owner who needs a calmer January, and tell me which of the five moves you are going to do first.
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Have questions or need HR advice? Reach out to Kate Underwood HR & Training at www.kateunderwoodhr.co.uk, email us on buzz@kateunderwoodhr.co.uk or follow us on social media for more tips, resources, and updates.
Until next time, keep buzzing and take care of your people!
