First published on Thursday, June 12, 2025
Last updated on Thursday, June 12, 2025
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.
“You don’t belong here”—toxic culture costs company more than morale
A recent tribunal ruling serves up a stark reminder of what happens when harassment goes unchecked in a business. The head of recruitment at a vehicle recycling firm was told by her boss, “you don’t belong here, this is a man’s world”. She was later subjected to sexual harassment, including being hit by a ruler on her rear. After doing the right thing and raising a formal grievance, her manager only received a final written warning; the claimant ultimately resigned.
While her constructive dismissal claim was dismissed, the tribunal rightly ruled she had experience sexual harassment and harassment on the grounds of sex.
The message for business owners? Having an anti-harassment policy isn’t enough. Since October 2024, there’s now a proactive duty on employers to have measures in place to prevent this before it happens. Swift, clear action, regular training, and safe reporting channels are the minimum needed to meet compliance and protect your team. A fair sexual harassment policy is a good start, but it must be actively enforced to ensure it’s seen as “just on paper.”
HR teams burning out at record pace—what’s to blame?
New research shows that HR and accounting professionals are topping the charts for absenteeism, with an average Bradford Factor score of 113. Far above the national average. Gen Z HR professionals are particularly affected, with sky-high scores of 185.
In plain English? Too many HR teams are running on empty. It’s no surprise when you consider the sheer volume of admin and people issues that HR teams juggle daily. Especially in large organisations, who fared even worse, with big companies seeing double the absenteeism of smaller ones.
Prioritise wellbeing within your HR functions. Streamline admin, audit workloads, and invest in smart tools to reduce the manual processes. Automating things like holiday tracking and absence management can free up your HR staff. This allows them to take part in strategic initiatives instead, which drive growth and position you more intelligently.
Why nobody wants to be the boss anymore
New research shows that over half of UK workers actively avoid management roles, with just 32% finding leadership inspiring. The reasons? Stress, poor work-life balance, and frankly, not enough pay to justify the headache.
Young workers are especially wary, with 68% of under-35s dodging management to protect their wellbeing. Even those already in management admit it’s necessary, but unappealing, under-resourced, and lacking proper training.
If businesses want future managers, the system needs fixing. Provide proper leadership development, support wellbeing at every level, and give managers the tools they need to succeed. Empowered, well-trained managers are good for engagement, retention, and the bottom line.
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!
