The UK’s Worker Protection Act came into force last October; now is the time for all employers to act.
I've seen lots of articles doing the rounds about how to maximise employee productivity during heat waves such as the one we are currently experiencing.
Whilst climate change may mean hotter weather for the UK may become more of a regular thing, it is ultimately still quite rare!
So instead of panicking about a huge drop in productivity over the next few days (which is fairly inevitable) why not focus on employee engagement instead? Keeping your employees happy during hot weather could be as simple as letting everyone leave 15 minutes early, buying ice-lollies for the office and accepting that people are going to slow down a bit - we are human after all! Whilst i'm not advocating that all work should be shunned (clearly important dealings will still need to be met) but it's about not sweating the small stuff! It won't last long and before you know it a blast of cold, wet weather will get productivity levels back to normal - so enjoy it while it lasts!
One of the inherent problems of taking action to tackle climate change is often the uncertain nature of the impacts, with reports so full of predictions, projections, estimates and margins of error that it can become hard for business executives to confidently know what to expect.But for those experiencing Britain's mini-heatwave today, climate change impacts will today feel a little closer to home and not just because it is too hot in the office to concentrate properly. The hottest week of the year so far in the UK coincides with the launch of a paper showing how financial losses from extreme heat related to climate change are already being felt today.
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Happy hour? A conversation about alcohol and work – culture, risk and belonging
From post-deal drinks to client events and team celebrations, alcohol is woven into workplace culture. Yet when something goes wrong, it’s rarely seen as ‘just a drink’.
With new duties on employers to prevent sexual harassment, and growing attention on workplace risk and inclusion, it’s time to take a more intentional look at how alcohol shapes workplace culture – and the risks it carries.
This short, focused webinar will explore:
• How alcohol contributes to conduct, harassment and reputational risk
• The assumptions we make about what’s normal, social or expected
• How alcohol intersects with inclusion, wellbeing and boundaries
• What to think about when conducting risk assessments and looking at policies
• Practical steps to build positive connection while protecting what matters
Speakers:
Helen Dallimore
Head of Training, Byrne Dean
An experienced facilitator, trainer and former employment lawyer, Helen works with organisations to strengthen leadership capability and embed respectful workplace behaviours. She brings particular expertise in creating inclusive cultures where people feel safe, respected and able to thrive.
Cicilia Wan
Principal Consultant, Byrne Dean
A former employment lawyer and experienced Headof Employee Relations in global financial services, Cicilia has seen first-hand how alcohol canaffect conduct at work. She brings deep expertise in leadership, culture and managing people risk.
Steven McCann
Founder and Director, MCG Consulting
A leading voice in workplace addiction and recovery inclusion, Steven advises organisations on addiction awareness, recovery-informed culture and social mobility. He has spoken at the Bank of England and works regularly with law societies, the Legal Services Board and institutions across law, finance and corporate sectors.


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