FusionHR Blog

Temporary contracts – can I just finish them at the end of the academic year?

Friday, 20 April 2018

The most common reasons for a fixed-term contract is usually linked funding or maternity cover, although there are many reasons for having a fixed-term contract in place. However, there are certain actions you must do when considering terminating a fixed-term contract. Read our checklist.

Stress Prevention (Stress Awareness Month – April)

Friday, 20 April 2018

April is Stress Awareness Month and with the focus on teachers' workloads at the moment, it's important to monitor stress in your school or Trust. We look at what your next steps should be. We have also produced an updated risk assessment template and guidance on stress which includes some practical examples of working to prevent stress and advice on how to recognise and manage stress when it does occur.

World Day for Safety and Health at Work – 28th April

Friday, 20 April 2018

According to the HSE, 31.2 million working days were lost due to work related illness and workplace injury in 2016-17. With World Day for Safety and Health at Work on 28th April we look at how you can ensure the safety and health of your employees and ensure attendance remains high.

Fusion News - New Model Documents on GDPR

Friday, 20 April 2018

We’ve been working hard over the Easter break and we’ve refreshed many of our document download templates which have now been uploaded to our document portal on our website. Our data protection templates have been updated in line with GDPR regulations.

Workforce Planning for Schools and Multi-Academy Trusts

Friday, 20 April 2018

The Department for Education has recently updated it’s guidance for School Workforce Planning. As it explains all schools and Multi-Academy Trusts should be able to consider all options available to them to maximise the efficiency of staff and best utilise the budgets available. But what are the options and what should you consider?

Breaking News - 2018/2019 NJC Pay Scales and Allowances

Friday, 20 April 2018

Agreement has now been reached between the National Employers and the NJC Trade Union Sides on rates of pay applicable from 1 April 2018 and 1 April 2019.

Support documents for Schools - HR best practice, employment templates and data security updated for GDPR

Friday, 20 April 2018

Do you need a suite of policies, template letters and proformas tailor-made for Education HR? We have developed an annual package which includes access to key documents relating to the employee cycle of pre-employment, during employment and leaving employment as well as data security model policies.

On-site Training for schools and Multi-Academy Trusts

Friday, 20 April 2018

We are currently in the process of updating our on-site training brochure but in the meantime we thought it might be useful to highlight our top five most requested on-site courses

Statutory and National Living/Minimum Wage increases from April 2018

Wednesday, 4 April 2018

View the new amounts for the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage that will apply from this month.

Disciplinary Procedure – Do’s and Don’ts!!

Sunday, 18 March 2018

Our HR Consultants here at Fusion, regularly support organisations with disciplinary matters and as such, they come across many of the common mistakes and pitfalls that can catch even the most well prepared of organisations out and potentially jeopardise the process. At best this can lead to delays, and reschedules, increasing stress for all involved and creating a bad impression. At worst, failure to follow a proper process may result in an employee bringing a grievance or unfair dismissal claim, resulting in more time, expense and reputational damage. We have outlined some of the common mistakes….and how to avoid them.

The GDPR Train keeps on moving forward!!

Sunday, 18 March 2018

If you are 'snowed under' with the GDPR train, then you may find it useful to read this blog from our Data Protection Officer, Ben with some top tips on where to start. We've been working through the basics and we wanted to share our approach with you - we hope it helps!

Kirsty and Jo’s marvellous GDPR journey…the bus has set off

Sunday, 18 March 2018

Follow Jo and Kirsty's journey as they embark on a certified GDPR training course and share their learnings with you

Failing to disclose personal relationships can lead to Gross Misconduct

Sunday, 18 March 2018

This week the Supreme Court ruled that the failure of a headteacher to disclose her personal relationship with a man with convictions could be classed as gross misconduct and therefore justified her dismissal. Read more about the case.

Company fined following unlicensed asbestos removal from primary school

Sunday, 18 March 2018

Ensuring you appoint the right contractors to carry out any maintenance work is essential but also very difficult. In a recent case, the HSE fined a construction company for the work they carried out at a primary school.

Updated rates and thresholds for employee benefits and expenses

Wednesday, 14 March 2018

HM Revenue and Customs has recently updated information about benefits and expenses for employers. They have updated the rates and thresholds for employers to apply when you operate payroll or provide expenses and benefits to your employees.

Unfair Dismissal of a Fixed Term Employee - Case Law Update

Friday, 9 February 2018

Recent case law has highlighted issues for employers when they terminate the employment of employees on fixed term contracts (particularly when they have been employed for two years or more).

Income Tax and National Insurance contributions: treatment of termination payments – Changes from 6 April 2018

Friday, 9 February 2018

The Government are changing the way that termination payments are taxed from April 2018. Employers who make termination payments to employees and employees who receive termination payments will both be affected by the change in rules.

Meet Ben - Our HR Project and Data Protection Officer

Friday, 9 February 2018

We are expanding the team - meet our latest recruit!

Gender Pay Reporting Flowchart

Friday, 9 February 2018

Download our Gender Pay Reporting Flowchart and if you need any help get in touch with one of the team. You can also access our blogs on this subject if you need further information.

Are your employees in the dark over sick pay?

Friday, 2 February 2018

A new survey from Direct Line Life Insurance has revealed that 2.5 million workers do not realise that they would face a reduced salary if they are unwell or unable to work. Many believed that on average they would receive full pay for three and half months. Are your employees aware of your policy on sick pay?

Gender Pay Reporting - Deadlines looming

Saturday, 20 January 2018

British employers in the private and voluntary sectors with 250 or more employees are required to report their gender pay gap by April 2018 and to publish details of their gender pay gap. Read our guide to Gender Pay Reporting, including timelines.

Unions considering Council and School Staff pay offer

Friday, 19 January 2018

On the 5th December 2017, UNISON, GMB and Unite received a letter from the local government employers outlining a proposed two-year pay deal for council and school support staff in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The three unions representing local government staff including school support staff are currently putting the offer to their respective committees for consideration.

The big GDPR countdown

Friday, 19 January 2018

As you know, we like to work in partnership with our clients and felt it was important for us to share our GDPR journey with you so that you feel reassured that we are all in this together and learning each step of the way.

Working at heights and risk assessments

Friday, 19 January 2018

A company has been fined after an employee died following a fall through a skylight. The HSE investigation found that the work at height had not been “appropriately planned, supervised or carried out in a safe manner”.

Technical Issues

Thursday, 21 December 2017

During the transfer of providers we unfortunately experienced technical issues with our email system and internet over the Christmas period. We are pleased to say they have now been fully resolved. However, if you have any queries please call the office direct on 01924 827869 and speak to one of the team.