Many employees living with emerging or undiagnosed hearing loss don’t realise the extent of their difficulties. They learn to cope. They listen harder, concentrate longer, position themselves in specific seats, or avoid noisy situations altogether. These subtle coping strategies work for a while—until they don’t. Eventually, the effort becomes exhausting, mistakes creep in, confidence drops, and both wellbeing and performance suffer. This article helps HR professionals, line managers, Occupational Health teams and business leaders recognise the early signs of hearing-related challenges in the workplace. It blends practical guidance, real-life scenarios, and human insight to help you identify when a supportive…
Author: sme-admin
An industry specialist has shared advice for employers facing a rising talent retention issue known as ‘job hugging’. In today’s unpredictable job market, new data shows that 55% of workers, rising to 65% among 18–34-year-olds, now prioritise job security over career progression1, with professionals holding onto reliable roles they may have outgrown. Fuelled by rising living costs, economic uncertainty, and the rapid pace of AI advancements, this new phenomenon can have serious implications for businesses. Teams can stagnate, internal mobility stalls, and opportunities for innovation and fresh thinking dry up. According to Claudia Cohen, Director of the Academy at tech talent specialist La Fosse, addressing job hugging head-on is crucial for keeping teams dynamic and companies…
Last week, the UK government formally withdrew its plan to grant employees protection from unfair dismissal from their first day of employment under Employment Rights Bill (ERB). Instead, ministers confirmed a new qualifying period — workers will only gain the right to challenge unfair dismissal after six months of service. Under current law, an employee generally must have worked for at least two years before being eligible to claim “ordinary” unfair dismissal at a tribunal, though exceptions apply (for automatically unfair dismissals such as those involving discrimination, whistle‑blowing or other protected reasons). The decision to adopt a six‑month qualifying period…
AI is no longer a futuristic concept: it’s here, and it’s transforming how businesses operate. For SMEs, the question isn’t if AI will impact your business, but when. Marketing leaders are uniquely positioned to champion AI adoption, creating competitive advantage and driving growth. “The pace of change is accelerating,” said Lucy Hogarth, founder of The Marketing Centre, one of the UK’s leading providers of fractional CMOs. “What feels fast now will seem slow compared to what’s coming. SMEs that fail to embrace AI risk falling behind competitors who leverage it to improve efficiency, customer engagement, and profitability.” Marketing teams already work with data, customer insights,…
The new ‘Market-Wide Half-Hour Settlement’ (MHHS) scheme is expected to bring in benefits of up to £4.5 billion for UK consumers in the next 20 years – but why is it so important that businesses reap the rewards too? With the deadline to implement smart meters for the new MHHS scheme now passed (22nd October), business energy experts at Utility Bidder have given their advice on what businesses should do if they have missed it and the consequences they may face. Mark Gamble, Head of Supplier Relations at Utility Bidder, has commented on the MHHS scheme and given key advice to UK businesses on…
By Yashy Raghoo Luchmun, Sustainability Scientist Tunley Environmental When evaluating a business and looking at the growing stack of mandatory sustainability regulations, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) can feel overwhelming. Among its detailed guidelines and hefty nine disclosure requirements, the European Sustainability Reporting System (ESRS) E5: Resource Use and Circular Economy has a difficult dichotomy to swallow; it is challenging to understand and report on, but may also be the most powerful and valuable to companies. Why? Because beyond adding another line in an ESG report, E5 focuses on how businesses fundamentally manage resources; what is bought, how products…
The UK’s rural areas could be on the brink of a population boom, with growth set to outpace urban regions by 2050, according to a new report released today. Commissioned by leading Altnet, Fibrus and authored by Applied Futurist, Tom Cheesewright, The Future of Rural report predicts that in the next 25 years, the UK’s rural areas will become hotspots for entreprenurial excellence thanks to AI technology developments, improved digital infrastructure and connectivity and expansion of the metaverse. Key predictions from the report include: Rural population growth to continue to outpace cities by 2050. Digital tech and AI drive remote work shift, with the number of people working…
For many business owners, the Christmas season is a chance to close up shop and enjoy a well-deserved break with family and friends. However, holiday closures can also increase the risk of theft, vandalism, fire hazards, and safety incidents. Without the right precautions in place, this season of joy and celebration can quickly turn into an anxious time for business owners. Fortunately, with the right security measures in place, these risks can be effectively managed, giving business owners confidence and peace of mind. Gary Agnew, Head of Solutions, Securitas UK outlines key takeaways to prepare your business and ensure safety…
Leading UK and European cloud platform outlines that a business continuity strategy must go beyond just data backups to include automated recovery, proactive monitoring and rapid failover capabilities. Despite increasing digital risks, many SMEs continue to place their trust in data backups as the cornerstone of business continuity. Yet recent cloud outages and cyberattacks have revealed the flaw in this approach, highlighting the urgent need for more robust continuity planning and secure cloud infrastructure. When it comes to a random software failure or oversight, or in the event of a malicious cyber event, the vulnerability of business operations quickly comes…
The UK has an incredible community of female entrepreneurs who are launching and growing businesses that are shaping the future of technology. They are developing tools that improve our lives, connect communities and drive economic growth. Yet, despite their impact, the environment they operate in often isn’t set up for them to succeed, with too many barriers like limited access to investment, networks and technical skills stymying growth. Iana Vidal, Head of UK Public Policy at Block, Inc., discusses why the UK ecosystem needs to create the infrastructure for female tech founders to succeed. Breaking down the barriers to access For…