Inspired HR Roundup - A Roundtable With Rachel Reeves, ERA Update & More!
What We've Been Up To...
Earlier this month, Nikki Masterman took part in a roundtable with North East female founders, hosted by Sophie Milliken MBE and attended by the Rt Hon Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer.
The session brought together founders to share real experiences of building businesses in the North East, talk openly about the challenges and barriers to growth, and explore practical ideas for strengthening the support available to female-led businesses, from investment through to long-term competitiveness.
It was a thoughtful and engaging discussion, and one that felt genuinely focused on progress. We are looking forward to seeing the positive action that comes from the conversations started in the room.
Annual Leave & Holiday Pay…
One of the less headline-grabbing but nonetheless important changes in the Employment Rights Act 2025 is a new duty around annual leave records.
In short, employers will need to keep clear records showing they have met their annual leave obligations. These records must be kept for six years, and failing to keep them will be an offence. We are still waiting for confirmation on when this kicks in, but it is likely to be sooner rather than later.
Why does this matter? Because this change links directly to the new Fair Work Agency, expected to be up and running from April.
The Fair Work Agency will be able to investigate paid annual leave and Statutory Sick Pay in a similar way to minimum wage enforcement. That includes inspections, underpayment notices and financial penalties.
If holiday pay has been underpaid, penalties could be significant.
There is no requirement to keep SSP records, which makes enforcement harder. Annual leave is different. Inspectors can simply ask to see your records. If they are missing or unclear, that alone could trigger further investigation.
Annual leave calculations are not always straightforward, especially for staff with irregular hours or variable pay. Our advice is take some time to sense-check your annual leave records and calculations now.
A quick review today could save a much bigger headache later!
If you'd like support reviewing your holiday pay processes or a demo of Breathe HR which will simplify this task going forward, just get in touch with the team.
February’s Masterclass…
On Wednesday 11th February, we’ll be running a practical masterclass focused on getting the fundamentals of sickness absence management right from day one. This session is ideal for business owners, managers and anyone responsible for managing absence who wants confidence in their approach and clarity on best practice.
The session is free for our retainer clients. Simply get in touch with the team for your promo code. For non-retainers, tickets are £59.
We will be running masterclasses throughout the year on key HR topics, so do keep an eye on our events page for full details.
The Key To Compliance…
With the Employment Rights Bill now passed and further changes expected from 2026, it’s understandable if keeping up feels overwhelming. But compliance does not have to be complicated or stressful.
The key is not knowing every detail. It’s having the right systems and support in place so nothing slips through the cracks.
Breathe HR helps businesses stay compliant by keeping contracts, policies, records and processes organised in one place from just £22 per month or £224 per year. When information is clear and accessible, you are better prepared for change and far less exposed to risk.
We'll set Breathe HR up for you, making sure it supports you as legislation evolves. That free build comes to a saving of £1,500!
So, if you want peace of mind as employment law continues to shift, Breathe HR is a strong foundation. Get in touch to find out how we can help you.
A New Season...
The HR Business Blueprint Podcast is back!
Nikki kicked off the new season with the brilliant Daniel Barnett, employment law barrister, broadcaster on LBC’s Legal Hour and the founder of The HR Inner Circle. If you work in HR, this is one episode you do not want to miss.
She then welcomed the experts on all things automation, Debbie Crompton and Steph Bonnie, co-founders of Stebbington. They unpack what automation, integration, AI and CRM systems actually mean for HR consultants.
In the next episode of The HR Business Blueprint, Nikki is joined by the newest member of the Inspired HR team, the brilliant Aaron Windrum.
Aaron breaks down his niche specialisms in GDPR/data protection and ethical AI implementation, including why SARs are rising, what employees are (and aren’t) entitled to, and the practical steps employers should have in place.
They explore how AI is changing employee relations, from longer AI-written grievances to the risks of misinformation, and why every organisation needs a clear AI policy even if they believe AI is not being used.
Aaron also shares what’s next, including new corporate workshops, a focus on future-ready workforces, and how roles are likely to evolve over the coming years.
A fascinating episode! Tune in on Monday to catch it in full.
Want to catch up on previous episodes? Head over to our podcast page.