Human Resources

HR teams are increasingly expected to create solutions that truly support employees. In 2025, work-life balance overtook pay as the top priority for job seekers worldwide. Yet achieving it remains one of the toughest challenges for organisations. So, what is work-life balance really, and why does it continue to slip out of reach? This article shows how HR specialists, with the right tools, can turn an ongoing struggle into a measurable strategy for engagement.

Whether you're managing people, projects, or performance, your success depends on using your resources wisely. But in a fast-moving workplace, that’s easier said than done. From allocating staff to tracking capacity, resource planning helps you stay one step ahead, without wasting time, money or talent.

So what exactly is resource planning? How does it link with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) tools and HR planning? And how can you build a resource plan that adapts as your business evolves?

Let’s break it down.
 

Whether you’re hiring seasonal staff, covering fluctuating demand, or managing a flexible workforce, 0 hour contracts remain a popular – and often misunderstood – solution across many UK sectors. While these contracts offer adaptability, they also raise complex questions around employment rights, holiday pay and legal obligations.

What does a zero hour contract really mean in practice? How can HR teams ensure fairness while staying compliant? And how do you manage payroll accurately when hours vary week by week?
 

Calculating holiday pay for zero hours staff is one of the most common – and misunderstood – challenges in HR and payroll. With hours varying week by week, how can you ensure every worker receives their full legal entitlement? And how do you stay compliant with evolving rules in the UK? 

This guide covers everything you need to know about zero hours holiday pay — including tips on how to calculate it correctly — to help you apply the right formula, avoid costly errors and treat your workforce fairly.
 

Staff turnover is more than just a number on a report, it’s a window into the health of your organisation. When employees leave faster than they arrive, the impact stretches far beyond recruitment costs. It touches morale, productivity, and your company's ability to grow sustainably. Understanding how to calculate staff turnover and what drives it is the first step toward building a more stable and engaged workforce.

Is your team quietly shrinking without clear warning signs? Could turnover be draining your performance budget more than you realise? And what if you could spot and stop the exit patterns before they escalate?

The employee life cycle is more than just a framework, it's a strategic lens through which HR professionals can view, support, and enhance every stage of the employee journey. From the first spark of attraction to long-term advocacy, every touchpoint shapes not only employee satisfaction but also business performance.

But how can HR teams design a journey that truly supports employees at every stage, while meeting compliance standards and business goals? Which model works best in the UK context, and what practical steps can you take  to improve performance at each phase?
 

Human resource departments face mounting pressure to manage increasingly complex workforce requirements while maintaining operational efficiency. Traditional paper-based systems no longer suffice for organisations seeking a competitive advantage through strategic human resource management. Enter the HRIS – a transformative solution that revolutionises how businesses approach employee data management and strategic HR planning.

Effective human resource management extends far beyond basic record-keeping. Integrating sophisticated technology into HR operations has become essential for companies aiming to attract top talent, ensure regulatory compliance, and create positive employee experiences.
 

Workforce pressures don’t pause while HR catches up with the need to scale resources and adapt to expanding business demands. In today’s environment, human resources teams are not just planning for the next hiring cycle, they are shaping the workforce their organisation will depend on five years from now. As roles evolve faster than job descriptions, recruitment pipelines face increasing volatility.

According to a 2023 survey*, 9 out of 10 organisations expect significant skill gaps to emerge within the next five years, yet only a third feel fully prepared to address them.

With that gap between awareness and readiness in mind, this article looks at what long-term workforce planning really means, why it’s critical now, and how HR teams can build a practical, future-ready strategy step by step.

To keep up with today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, implementing the right HR software has become essential for organisations of all sizes. With the increasing complexity of workforce management and the need for streamlined HR processes, choosing appropriate HR solutions can significantly impact operational efficiency and employee satisfaction.