Welcome to my Summer Newsletter!
Dare I say it, summer has officially arrived, and the weather is beginning to improve with the sun shining brightly!
It has been a busy and fulfilling few months supporting my F&B clients. Some recent highlights include:
- Recruitment support: I have assisted clients in rethinking their recruitment strategies, streamlining the onboarding process, and creating an outstanding candidate experience.
- Leadership training: Ongoing sessions have focused on people management, navigating difficult conversations, and enhancing team engagement, all customised for individual companies.
- HR challenges: I’ve also supported businesses with grievances, investigations, disciplinaries, and numerous redundancies due to recent downturns in trade and unfortunately, some closures.
Welcome to my Summer Newsletter!
Dare I say it, summer has officially arrived, and the weather is beginning to improve with the sun shining brightly!
It has been a busy and fulfilling few months supporting my F&B clients. Some recent highlights include:
- Recruitment support: I have assisted clients in rethinking their recruitment strategies, streamlining the onboarding process, and creating an outstanding candidate experience.
- Leadership training: Ongoing sessions have focused on people management, navigating difficult conversations, and enhancing team engagement, all customised for individual companies.
- HR challenges: I’ve also supported businesses with grievances, investigations, disciplinaries, and numerous redundancies due to recent downturns in trade and unfortunately, some closures.
Additions to services at F&B….
The F&B website has been updated and have added a Frequently Asked Questions section. If you have an HR question, be sure to check out FAQs – F&B People Solutions. If you don’t find the answer you’re looking for, get in touch!
You can also access a few free downloads to help your business stay on track with HR audit trails. Resources – F&B People Solutions
Training packages have been introduced so whether you’re managing a growing team or stepping into a leadership role, my new short courses give you the tools, knowledge, and confidence to lead people effectively, legally, and with impact.
Each course is designed to be interactive, easy to follow, and full of real-world examples tailored for small and medium-sized businesses.
Courses include:
HR Essentials – what you need to know when you are a line manager
Hiring with confidence – smarter recruitment for growing teams
Performance conversations that work – how to tackle performance issues in your teams
Handling problems fairly – disciplinaries and grievances made simple
Resolving workplace issues with confidence – practical solutions for the beginning of (or during) conflict at work
These training courses have been created so that managers have the tools for resolving workplace issues with confidence –Tailored for SMEs – no corporate jargon
- Practical and immediately applicable
- Delivered by experts with real-world experience
- Flexible online format – easy to access anywhere
- Resources and tools included
The courses listed above are packages already available to use and can be delivered in one go or spread across a few hours to help support your diaries, but we also create lots of bespoke courses on a variety of other people related topics, specific for the issues you are facing within your business.
Check out the courses available Training – F&B People Solutions
*PROMOTION*
FOR JULY 2025: For the month of July, I will be offering 30 mins free exploration calls (with no obligation after) for anyone that you recommend so if anyone in your network is struggling with the people side of their business and aren’t sure where to turn, let me know and I will have a call and suggest a way forward for them.
Additions to services at F&B….
The F&B website has been updated and have added a Frequently Asked Questions section. If you have an HR question, be sure to check out FAQs – F&B People Solutions. If you don’t find the answer you’re looking for, get in touch!
You can also access a few free downloads to help your business stay on track with HR audit trails. Resources – F&B People Solutions
Training packages have been introduced so whether you’re managing a growing team or stepping into a leadership role, my new short courses give you the tools, knowledge, and confidence to lead people effectively, legally, and with impact.
Each course is designed to be interactive, easy to follow, and full of real-world examples tailored for small and medium-sized businesses.
Courses include:
HR Essentials – what you need to know when you are a line manager
Hiring with confidence – smarter recruitment for growing teams
Performance conversations that work – how to tackle performance issues in your teams
Handling problems fairly – disciplinaries and grievances made simple
Resolving workplace issues with confidence – practical solutions for the beginning of (or during) conflict at work
These training courses have been created so that managers have the tools for resolving workplace issues with confidence –Tailored for SMEs – no corporate jargon
- Practical and immediately applicable
- Delivered by experts with real-world experience
- Flexible online format – easy to access anywhere
- Resources and tools included
The courses listed above are packages already available to use and can be delivered in one go or spread across a few hours to help support your diaries, but we also create lots of bespoke courses on a variety of other people related topics, specific for the issues you are facing within your business.
Check out the courses available Training – F&B People Solutions
*PROMOTION* FOR JULY 2025: For the month of July, I will be offering 30 mins free exploration calls (with no obligation after) for anyone that you recommend so if anyone in your network is struggling with the people side of their business and aren’t sure where to turn, let me know and I will have a call and suggest a way forward for them.
Employment Law update – Statutory Neonatal Care Pay (General) Regulations 2025
Just a reminder that from April 2025, eligible parents are entitled to Neonatal Care Leave of up to 12 weeks, with statutory pay, if their baby requires specialist care in the first 28 days of life. This leave is in addition to other parental entitlements and is designed to support employees during a critical time.
We have advised you to:
- Update your family leave policies
- Update your contract templates
- Train managers on how to support affected employees with compassion and flexibility
If you haven’t yet done this and need help updating your documents, get in touch so that you are complaint.
Employment Law update – Statutory Neonatal Care Pay (General) Regulations 2025
Just a reminder that from April 2025, eligible parents are entitled to Neonatal Care Leave of up to 12 weeks, with statutory pay, if their baby requires specialist care in the first 28 days of life. This leave is in addition to other parental entitlements and is designed to support employees during a critical time.
We have advised you to:
- Update your family leave policies
- Update your contract templates
- Train managers on how to support affected employees with compassion and flexibility
If you haven’t yet done this and need help updating your documents, get in touch so that you are complaint.
HR Topic: The rise of quiet quitting
Quiet quitting – where employees do the bare minimum without formally resigning – continues to crop up in people conversations. It became a hot topic after the pandemic, but it hasn’t gone away!
It’s not a sign of laziness, but often a reaction to burnout, feeling undervalued, or poor management. For many of your businesses, where energy, flexibility, and team spirit matter so much, this trend can be especially damaging.
What to watch for:
- Disengagement from once-enthusiastic team members
- Reluctance to take on additional responsibility
- A drop in discretionary effort
What to do:
- Focus on recognition and meaningful feedback
- Encourage open conversations about workload and wellbeing
- Support line managers to spot early signs and engage effectively
Want to explore this topic in more depth? I’d be happy to run a session with your leadership team.
Mentoring for in-house HR teams
I understand that being an HR professional can feel isolating at times, especially when you’re navigating complex situations solo. That’s why I offer mentoring and support for in-house HR teams, providing you with an extra pair of hands, a sounding board, guidance, and the tools you need to tackle challenges confidently. You don’t have to go it alone – let me be the support network that helps you thrive.
HR Topic: The rise of quiet quitting
Quiet quitting – where employees do the bare minimum without formally resigning – continues to crop up in people conversations. It became a hot topic after the pandemic, but it hasn’t gone away!
It’s not a sign of laziness, but often a reaction to burnout, feeling undervalued, or poor management. For many of your businesses, where energy, flexibility, and team spirit matter so much, this trend can be especially damaging.
What to watch for:
- Disengagement from once-enthusiastic team members
- Reluctance to take on additional responsibility
- A drop in discretionary effort
What to do:
- Focus on recognition and meaningful feedback
- Encourage open conversations about workload and wellbeing
- Support line managers to spot early signs and engage effectively
Want to explore this topic in more depth? I’d be happy to run a session with your leadership team.
Mentoring for in-house HR teams
I understand that being an HR professional can feel isolating at times, especially when you’re navigating complex situations solo. That’s why I offer mentoring and support for in-house HR teams, providing you with an extra pair of hands, a sounding board, guidance, and the tools you need to tackle challenges confidently. You don’t have to go it alone – let me be the support network that helps you thrive.
Blogs
I am writing blogs on a variety of topics which you can find here: Our Latest Blogs
If you would like me to cover a specific topic then do let us know.
Connect with Me
If you haven’t done so already, let’s connect on LinkedIn.
Nicola 🔊 Ford Assoc. CIPD | LinkedIn
Follow F&B on social media for the latest updates, tips, and industry news. I’m here to help you navigate the dynamic world of HR with confidence and success.
Get in Touch
Do get in touch with any people related question. Summer is always a good time to get prepared for Q4 so let me help you, get in touch with me!
