HR Heartbeat: National Payroll Week, ‘leavism’, and noisy workmates

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.

Thanks to our teams this National Payroll Week

September 1-5 is National Payroll Week. It’s a huge thanks from me to the dedicated and professional payroll professionals at BrightHR. Our payroll teams take the admin and compliance burden from our clients’ shoulders. Let’s look at the 5-star reviews our payroll stars have had:

“I had little to no knowledge about setting up a payroll system, and the process initially felt overwhelming. However, the staff went above and beyond to guide me through every step…. I highly recommend BrightHR for their excellent service and for having such remarkable staff members on their team.” Trustpilot review, June 2025 

“Bright HR's tools have made managing our HR tasks so much easier and more efficient. The ability to track employee hours, manage holidays, and handle payroll all in one place has streamlined our operations significantly. Their mobile app is a game-changer, allowing us to access crucial information on the go.” Trustpilot review, January 2025 

Leaving behind ‘leavism’

Did you manage to switch off this summer? In a recent study, 59% of respondents admitted to ‘leavism’, or using annual leave to catch up on work.

It’s tempting to pick up your laptop or work phone while you’re away. And if you’re among the 20% who take their laptop on holiday, it’s hard to switch off. The same goes for those who encourage clients and colleagues to stay in touch.

In my opinion, it’s time we normalise unplugging. Resist the urge to respond to emails and messages, schedule catch up meetings for when you’re back, and only request contact in exceptional circumstances. This way, we can build up burnout resilience and protect our physical and mental health. Sometimes, a few days’ rest is all it takes. 

Noisy workers irritating older colleagues is not ageism

A worker, irritated by noise from colleagues, had her claims of age discrimination and age-related harassment dismissed. She cited “noisy and disruptive behaviour” and said it was “difficult to watch the extreme time wasting and low productivity” of her colleagues.

Although it was dismissed, I believe there are important considerations for employers in this case. Noise has a proven effect on the working environment and productivity. When noise affects neurodivergent colleagues, and the health and wellbeing of your employees, you should think carefully.

My advice is simple: invest in an EAP, devise proactive policies, craft meaningful wellbeing strategies, and build an open culture where employees can be transparent. Tell me: would you rather listen to an employee who’s struggling, or listen to them telling a tribunal panel about 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!