20Jun

World Refugee Day

Background

World Refugee Day is celebrated globally on the 20th of June on an annual basis.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) established World Refugee Day in 2001, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. This day has been used as a platform for celebrating the strength and courage of the people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution.

The hashtag which is being used this year is #WorldRefugeeDay.

Theme

For 2022, the theme is “Whoever. Wherever. Whenever”. This focuses on an individual’s “right to seek safety”.

The UNHCR further explains the theme on their website by stating: “Whoever they are, people forced to flee should be treated with dignity. Anyone can seek protection, regardless of who they are or what they believe. It is non-negotiable: seeking safety is a human right.

Wherever they come from, people forced to flee should be welcomed. Refugees come from all over the globe. To get out of harm’s way, they might take a plane, a boat, or travel on foot. What remains universal is the right to seek safety.

Whenever people are forced to flee, they have a right to be protected. Whatever the threat – war, violence, persecution – everyone deserves protection. Everyone has a right to be safe.”

What is a Refugee?

According to the UNHCR: “Refugees are people who have fled war, violence, conflict or persecution and have crossed an international border to find safety in another country.

They often have had to flee with little more than the clothes on their back, leaving behind homes, possessions, jobs and loved ones.”

How do I join in World Refugee Day?

You can join in World Refugee Day by:

  • Sharing on social media – By sharing this article and other articles and information which details why World Refugee Day is so important.
  • Join an event – The UNHCR will post both face-to-face and online events on their website for World Refugee Day, if you would like to join one of these events or you would like to search for an event close to you, then please go to http://www.unhcr.org/uk/world-refugee-day.
  • Volunteer to help – You can help your local refugee organisations by volunteering in a capacity where both your personal and professional skills can be utilised to aid a refugee and their transition within a new environment, city or a country.

If I can’t join in World Refugee Day, is there any other way to help?

If you would like to donate to a charity focused on helping refugee’s, we have listed some charities below:

  • British Red Cross – The British Red Cross is part of the international Red Cross and Red Crescent movement, meaning the organisation supports people around the world who are forced to flee their homes with nowhere else to go. If you would like to donate to the British Red Cross, then please go to https://donate.redcross.org.uk
  • International Rescue Committee (IRC) – “The International Rescue Committee helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster too survive, recover and regain control of their future.” If you would like to donate to the International Rescue Committee, then please go to https://help.rescue-uk.org/.
  • Refugee Action – “At Refugee Action, we help people who’ve survived some of the world’s worst regimes. We get them the basic support they need to live again with dignity. Then we help them build safe, happy and productive lives in the UK.” If you would like to donate to Refugee Action, then please go to https://donate.refugee-action.org.uk/page/100035/donate.
14Jun

Men’s Health Week

Background

Men’s Health Week is celebrated globally on an annual basis.

Men’s Health Week was founded in 1994, the week was linked to Father’s Day in the United States. Men’s Health Week became an international event in 2002, led by the Men’s Health Network, who was able to come to an agreement with representatives from several other leading men’s health organisations around the world met and resolved to work together on Men’s Health Week.

According to menshealthmonth.org: “The goal is to raise awareness of male health issues on a global level and to encourage inter- and intra-national institutions to develop health policies and services that meet the specific needs of men, boys, and their families.”

This year, Men’s Health Week will take place from the 13th – 19th of June 2022. The hashtag which is being used this year to promote Men’s Health Week is, #menshealthweek.

Theme

For 2022, the theme is “Time for your M.O.T”.

According to menshealthforum.org.uk: “We need to be at the top of our game, physically and mentally. So, for this year’s Men’s Health Week, which runs 13-19 June. It’s time for you, me and men everywhere, to give ourselves an MOT”.

What is a Man MOT?

The Men’s Health Forum have created an “interactive manual” called the “Man MOT”.

This manual focuses on assisting men with self-checks and simple measures to improve their health. The Man MOT manual can be viewed here, a physical copy of the Man MOT can be purchased from the Men’s Health Forum’s online store.

Men’s Health in the UK

According to the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH): “Men’s health in the UK is unnecessarily and unacceptably poor. Around one in five men die before the ‘traditional’ retirement age of 65 with cancer, suicide and heart disease being the biggest killers of working-age men.”

The information regarding male health is a major concern, according to menshealthforum.org.uk: “The figures are shocking. 19% of men in England, in Wales and Northern Ireland and 22% of men in Scotland die before they retire.”

According to mentalhealthforum.org.uk: “In England, around one in eight men has a common mental health problem such as depression, anxiety, panic disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).”

This is also a major issue with men’s ability to understand information to make decisions about their health, according to menshealthforum.org.uk: “Men have lower levels of health literacy than women, with men twice as likely to have inadequate health literacy”. Additionally, the Men’s Health Forum have also stated that “Men are less likely to use a general practice or visit a pharmacy – in the age group 20-40, women attended a general practice twice as often.”

What about cancer? Well according to Cancer Research UK: “Overall the number of men getting cancer is rising”.

With the most common cancer in men being prostate cancer. According to Cancer Research UK: “Around 52,300 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in the UK each year. In men, it is the most common cancer in the UK.”

It is very important to get health checks from your doctor or local GP, according to Oxfordonlinepharmacy.co.uk: “It is good practice to arrange a routine health check every few years to keep track of your overall health, such as blood pressure, cholesterol and any worries.”

What can I do to improve my physical health?

There are many ways that are suggested to improve your physical health, some of these are listed below:

  • Increase the amount of daily physical exercise – According to the NHS: “Adults should do some type of physical activity every day. Exercise just once or twice a week can reduce the risk of heart disease or stroke.” If you would like to view the NHS exercise guidelines, then please click here.
  • Eating a balanced diet – Eating a balanced diet can be difficult, but there is a lot of information and guides online that can be used to help you to create a balanced diet. A good example is the NHS’ eight tips for healthy eating, which is part of their “Eat well” guidance.
  • Drinking more water – drinking more water per day will help keep you hydrated and alert throughout the day.
  • Break your unhealthy habits – Unhealthy habits such as smoking, excessive drinking and drug use can cause multiple health issues, these health issues include lung cancer, high blood pressure, heart disease and more. If you would like support to help you break these unhealthy habits, then please go to your GP or a medical professional, who can advise and support you on your steps to quitting.

How do I join in Men’s Health Week?

You can join in Men’s Health Week by:

  • Sharing on social media – By sharing articles and information about Men’s Health Week, why we need to bring awareness towards men’s health and why it is so important.
  • Download The CAN DO Manual – According to menshealthforum.org.uk: “We’re putting together The CAN DO Manual collecting together all the great ideas our Men’s Health Champions have had for things we can all do to boost our mental wellbeing. It’ll be available FREE during this week.” If you would like to download The CAN DO Manual then please go to www.menshealthforum.org.uk/mhw.

What can I do to improve my mental health?

We have listed a few tips that could help you improve your mental health below;

  • Enjoy your hobbies – Take some time for yourself throughout the week and enjoy your hobbies, according to mentalhealth.org.uk: “Enjoying yourself helps beat stress. Doing an activity that you enjoy probably means you’re good at it and achieving something boosts your self-esteem.”
  • Take a break – According to mentalhealth.org.uk: “A change of scene or a change of pace is good for your mental health. It could be a five-minute pause from cleaning your kitchen, a half-hour lunch break at work or a weekend exploring somewhere new.”
  • Talk to someone – Talking to someone else about what you are struggling with can help you to realise how you are feeling and what you can do to accept and live with this feeling.

    If you feel that your mental health is being affected, be sure to reach out to your support system or a mental health support service as soon as possible.

We recommend that you reach out to the Samaritans to talk about anything that is upsetting you, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123, which is free from any phone. If you do not wish to speak to someone on the phone, then you can send an email to jo@samaritans.org.

13Jun

Diabetes Week

Background

Diabetes Week is organised by Diabetes U.K and is celebrated nationally on an annual basis.

Its aim is to raise awareness of diabetes and to encourage people to share their experiences of living with diabetes.

This year Diabetes Week will take place from the 13th – 19th June 2022. The hashtag which is being used this year to promote Diabetes Week is #DiabetesWeek.

Theme

For 2022, the theme is “This is your #DiabetesWeek”, which focuses on celebrating people who have diabetes and the challenges which they face.

According to diabetes.org.uk: “Your blood sugar won’t always be in range. Figuring out food labels and menus might have you tearing your hair out. And you might have treated that 3am hypo with a few too many jelly babies. (And biscuits. Oh, and that sandwich…) But you’re doing it, every single day. Living with diabetes, juggling the ups and downs. And that’s worth celebrating.”

What is Diabetes?

According to Diabetes UK: “Diabetes is a serious condition where your blood glucose level is too high. It can happen when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or the insulin it produces isn’t effective. Or, when your body can’t produce insulin at all.”

There are two main types of diabetes, Type 1 and Type 2:

  • According to Diabetes UK: “When you’ve got type 1 diabetes, you can’t make any insulin at all.”
  • Diabetes UK states “If you’ve got type 2 diabetes, it’s a bit different. The insulin you make either can’t work effectively, or you can’t produce enough of it. They’re different conditions, but they’re both serious.”

What is a diabetic emergency?

According to the Red Cross: “In most cases, the person’s blood sugar levels become too low. This is called hypoglycaemia. It can happen when the person has missed a meal or exercised too much. If left untreated, a diabetic emergency can become very serious.”

Another form of a diabetic emergency is known as “Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)”. According to diabetes.co.uk: “Diabetic ketoacidosis is a serious condition which develops if blood glucose levels become very high. The symptoms include vomiting and a laboured form of breathing known as kussmaul breathing, which may be identified by gasping breathes. If someone is going through DKA, it is often possible to detect ketones on the breath, which can be similar to a fruity smell or similar to nail polish.”

Diabetes.co.uk further this by stating about Hyperosmolar Hyperglycaemic Nonketotic Syndrome (HHNS): “HHNS is a short-term complication that can occur in people with non-insulin dependent diabetes, such as type 2 diabetes, if blood sugar levels rise to a very high level of 30 mmol/l or above.”

What do I do if someone is having a diabetic emergency?

If someone is suffering from hypoglycaemia, the NHS states that the person should: “Have a sugary drink or snack – like a small glass of fizzy drink (not a diet variety) or fruit juice, 4 to 5 jelly babies, 3 to 6 glucose tablets or 1 to 2 tubes of glucose gel.”

  • The NHS also has a step-by-step guide to follow if someone is experiencing from hypoglycaemia symptoms, if you would like to know more about this, then please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/low-blood-sugar-hypoglycaemia. If the person is unconscious or having a seizure, then please call 999.
  • If someone is suffering from diabetic ketoacidosis, diabetes.co.uk states: ”If diabetic ketoacidosis is suspected and the person is either incoherent or unable to help him or herself, call 999.
  • If someone is suffering from “Hyperosmolar Hyperglycaemic Nonketotic Syndrome”, diabetes.co.uk states: “If someone is showing signs of HHNS, it is important that they receive emergency treatment.”

How do I join in Diabetes Week?

You can join in Diabetes Week by:

  • Participating in the Diabetes Week events – Diabetes Week will host a multitude of events, both online or face-to-face.

    If you would like to find out more or join an in-person event close to you, or an online event, then please visit www.diabetes.org.uk/diabetes-week and use the map to find an event near you.
  • Sharing on social media – By sharing this article and other articles and information which details why Diabetes Week is so important, the challenges faced and what can be done to support people with diabetes, you will assist to raise awareness and make Diabetes a less taboo subject to speak about.

If I can’t join in Diabetes Week, is there any other way to help?

If you would like to help, then please donate to a charity focused on Diabetes, we have listed some charities below:

  • Diabetes UK – “We are Diabetes UK – our vision is a world where diabetes can do no harm. We’re leading the fight against the UK’s biggest and growing health crisis. And it’s a fight that involves us all sharing knowledge and taking on diabetes together.”

    If you would like to donate to Diabetes UK, then please go to https://donate.diabetes.org.uk.
  • The InDependent Diabetes Trust (IDDT) – “We are concerned with listening to the needs of people who live with diabetes, understanding those needs and doing our utmost to offer help and support.”

    The InDependent Diabetes Trust is a charity that is focused on listening and helping people with diabetes and their carers and supporting their needs. If you would like to donate to the InDependent Diabetes Trust then please go to www.iddt.org/here-to-help/donate.
  • The Diabetes Research & Wellness Foundation (DRWF) – “We are funding diabetes research In the UK & around the world in order to understand the causes, prevention, treatment and management – our ultimate goal is to find a cure.”

    If you would like to donate to the Diabetes Research & Wellness Foundation, then please go to www.drwf.org.uk.

This article is for informational purposes only. If you or someone you know is suffering from a diabetic emergency, please contact a medical professional or an emergency service for medical advice.

06Jun

Carers Week

Background

Carers Week is celebrated nationally on an annual basis.

It seeks to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK.

Carers Week was founded by Carers UK, in collaboration with Age UK, Carers Trust, Independent Age, Macmillan Cancer Support, MND Association and MS Society.

Carers UK was founded in 1965 by Mary Webster, who wanted to draw the public attention to the practical difficulties of caring for someone, the financial hardships and the feeling of being isolated.

This year Carers Week will take place from the 6th – 12th of June 2022. The hashtag which is being used this to year to promote Carers week is #CarersWeek2022.

Theme

For 2022, the theme is “Make caring visible, valued and supported”, which focuses on unpaid carers and the challenges of caring.

According to carersweek.org: “We believe that unpaid carers and the challenges of caring should be recognised in all areas of life, caring should be valued and respected by everyone in our society, and carers should have access to the information and support they need, where and when they need it.”

Who is a Carer?

According to Carers Trust: “A carer is anyone who cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member who due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addition cannot cope without their support.”

Anyone can be classified as a Carer. Carers Trust explains this through a few examples:

  • “a 15-year-old girl looking after a parent with an alcohol problem,
  • a 40-year-old man caring for his partner who has terminal cancer,
  • an 80-year-old woman looking after her husband who has Alzheimer’s disease.”

How do I join in Carers Week?

  • Joining in the Carers Week events – Carers Week will host a multitude of events, both online or face-to-face, if you would like to find or join an event close to you, or online, then please go to www.carersweek.org and use the map that they have provided on their site to find an event that you would like to join.
  • Sharing on social media – by sharing articles and information about Carers Week, why it is so important and what others can do to support or get join in Carers Week.

What can I do to help?

If you would like to help by donating to charities focused on carers and the impact of caring, the please donate to one of the following charities:

  • The Care Workers’ Charity – “The Care Workers’ Charity (CWC) was founded in 2009 with the objective of supporting current and former care workers with one-off crisis grants.” If you would like to donate to the CWC, then please go to https://www.thecareworkerscharity.org.uk/donations/.
  • Carers Trust – “Carers Trust is a major charity for, with and about carers. We work to improve support, services and recognition for anyone living with the challenges of caring, unpaid, for a family member or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental health or addiction problems.” If you would like to donate to the Carers Trust, the please go to https://www.donate.carers.org/.
  • Age UK – Age UK focuses on older people, who find themselves without the care and support that they need. Age UK helps with providing support, companionship and advice, to help carers and the people who are being cared for. If you would like to donate to Age UK, then please go to https://www.ageuk.org.uk/get-involved/donate/a/donate/.
  • Carers First – “Carers First works directly with and for carers to provide personalised information and advice. Making it easier for those caring for someone else to continue living their lives to the fullest.” If you would like to donate to Carers First, then please go to https://www.carersfirst.org.uk/get-involved/donate/.

Reshape HR is here to assist. We work with a variety of clients based across the UK, so if you are looking for HR Advice or Payroll support or simply looking to run something past us, please do get in touch with us via:

T: 0141 471 5510
E: info@reshapehr.com
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05Jun

World Environment Day

Background

World Environment Day is celebrated globally on the 5th of June on an annual basis.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) created World Health Day in 1972.

The first World Environment Day which was held on 5th June 1974, this day has been used as a platform for raising awareness on the environment and specific environmental issues such as climate change, pollution, waste and conservation of threatened animals who are near extinction.

Theme

For 2022, the theme is “Only One Earth” which focuses on “living sustainably in harmony with nature”.

The hashtag which is being used this year is #OnlyOneEarth. According to the World Environment Day’s website: With nature in emergency mode, the #OnlyOneEarth campaign for World Environment Day 2022, wants you to celebrate the planet through collective environmental action.

While our individual consumption choices do make a difference, it is collective action that will create the transformative environmental change we need, so we can advance to a more sustainable and just Earth, where everyone can flourish.

How do I join in World Environment Day?

You can join in World Environment Day by:

  • Lowering your carbon footprint – You can lower your carbon footprint by driving less, recycling, using bio-degradable alternatives to plastic, reusing plastics and converting food waste into compost.
  • Sharing on social media – By sharing this article and other articles and information which details why World Environment Day is so important, it can collectively help our planet and those within it.
  • Download the #OnlyOneEarth Practical Guide – The United Nations have created a practical guide to help with living sustainably. The #OnlyOneEarth Practical Guide is developed for World Environment Day.

    According to World Environment Day’s website: “The #OnlyOneEarth Practical Guide outlines some of the transformative actions that organisations and people can take.” If you would like to download the #OnlyOneEarth Practical Guide, then please visit:
    www.worldenvironmentday.global/get-involved/practical-guide.

If I can’t join in World Environment Day, is there any other way to help?

If you would like to help, then please donate to a charity focused on improving the health of our planet, or a charity which is focused on sustainability, we have listed some charities below:

  • Clean Air Task Force (CATF) – “Did you know that more than 70% of the emissions that cause global warming come from our energy system? Every year, the global energy system produces almost 40 billion tons of carbon dioxide emissions – pushing our planet toward irreversible tipping points.”

    Clean Air Task Force’s main vision is to meet the world’s energy demand in a way that is financially and environmentally sustainable. If you would like to donate to the Clean Air Task Force, then please go to https://catf.us.
  • WWF – “WWF is the world’s leading independent conservation organisation. Our mission is to create a world where people and wildlife can thrive together.”

    The WWF works on multiple projects for conservation, fighting against climate crisis and much more. If you would like to donate to the WWF, then please go to https://www.support.wwf.org.uk/donate-to-wwf.
  • UK National Association for Environmental Education (NAEE) – “NAEE has been promoting environmental educational in the UK for 50 years, supporting all those involved in its delivery, so that together we can understand and act on the need to live more sustainably in order to protect the future of our planet.”

    If you would like to donate to the NAEE, then please go to https://naee.org.uk.

Reshape HR is here to assist. We work with a variety of clients based across the UK, so if you are looking for HR Advice or Payroll support or simply looking to run something past us, please do get in touch with us via:

T: 0141 471 5510
E: info@reshapehr.com
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25May

What are the different types of protected characteristics and why are they important?

The Equality Act 2010 protects us all by making it against the law to discriminate against or harass someone because of a protected characteristic.

It is likely without knowing, that you may be working alongside an employee with a protected characteristic and therefore it’s important to ensure that an employee isn’t treated less favourably because of a protected characteristic.

If an employee feels they have been treated unfairly or have been discriminated against with any of the below, it may result in a grievance which may later proceed to a potential tribunal claim, this is not taking into account, any criminal and internal investigations which may arise separately.

Therefore, it is important to ensure to create a working environment which thrives upon collaboration and is free of any harassment or bullying.

The nine protected characteristics as identified by the Equality Act 2010 are:

  1. Age – Age discrimination is treating an employee less favourably because of their age and can affect other employees of a similar age, or within a range of ages.

  2. Disability – If you are disabled, the Equality Act protects you from discrimination. It also requires employers and service providers to make reasonable adjustments to address the disadvantages you might face.

  3. Gender Reassignment – You must not be discriminated against because you are transitioning, or intend to transition from your sex assigned at birth. To be protected from gender reassignment discrimination, you do not need to have undergone any specific treatment or surgery.

  4. Marriage or Civil Partnerships – You must not be discriminated against at work because you are married or in a civil partnership, whether your partner is of the same or the opposite sex.

  5. Pregnancy and Maternity – The Equality Act protects women from being discriminated against because they are pregnant, including due to pregnancy-related illness, or if you are a new mother. Protection from discrimination at work extends to the period of maternity leave. Outside of work it lasts for six months after giving birth.

  6. Race – The Equality Act protects you from discrimination because of race. Race means your colour, your nationality, your ethnicity, or your origins. A racial group can be made up of more than one distinct racial group, such as Black British.

  7. Religion or Belief – You must not be discriminated against because of your religion or belief, or because of a lack of a religion or belief. Generally, a belief should affect your life choices or the way you live for it to be included in the definition.

  8. Gender – This refers to being a man or a woman. You must not be discriminated against because of your gender. Sexual harassment also falls under this protected characteristic and is ‘any unwanted conduct of a sexual nature or other conduct based on sex’.

  9. Sexual Orientation – Whilst it is important not to put people into boxes, the relevant legislation is in place to ensure law has meant that we need to look at equality in terms of certain headings. If you are treated worse because someone thinks you belong to a group of people with protected characteristics, this is classed as discrimination.

Here’s a fun stat…or so not fun stat:

According to the report by the Ministry of Justice, Employment Tribunal statistics – a total of 93,817 claims were completed for the period January to March 2019, with 9,383 of these claims being heard before an Employment Tribunal.

Of those 9,383:

  • 8,445 claims were successful (won by the employee)
  • Only 938 claims were successfully defended by the employer, putting the employer national average win rate at just 10%

In 2019/20, sexual orientation discrimination claims received the largest average award (£28,000) compared to other discrimination jurisdictions. The highest maximum award in 2019/20 was for disability discrimination, at £266,000.

Therefore, it is vital for businesses to ensure that they have an equality and diversity policy to ensure that the workplace is fair and accessible to everyone. This ensures that everyone at the workplace is treated as equals.

Whether you require HR advice or Payroll support, Reshape HR is here to assist.
Our HR advice and service is purely tailored to the needs of your business. So whether you are looking for HR support or simply looking to run something past us, please do get in touch with us via:

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19May

World IBD Day

Background

World IBD day is celebrated globally on the 19th of May on an annual basis.

It is led by patient organisations representing World IBD Day is coordinated by the European Federation of Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis Associations (EFCCA) in over 50 countries on five continents.

This year, for World IBD Day, the EFCCA would like to raise awareness about the impact IBD has on elderly
people. Under the slogan “IBD has no age”.

The EFCCA have stated that they “want to put the focus on elderly people (60 plus) and see how living with Crohn ́s disease and Ulcerative Colitis (collectively known as Inflammatory Bowel Disease) is impacting on their quality of life and care”.

What is IBD?

According to IBDclinic.ca: “Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a chronic life-long condition of the
gastrointestinal tract. In these conditions various parts of the digestive system, which includes the bowels
(intestines), become swollen, inflamed and ulcerated. This inflammation leads to disruption of the natural
processes of digesting food, absorbing nutrition and eliminating waste in a healthy manner.”

IBDclinic.ca also states on their site that there is no cure for IBD, however, with medical treatments, IBD can be kept in a state of suspension.

How do I join in World IBD day?

You can join in World IBD Day by:

  • Sharing on social media – by sharing articles and information about World IBD day, what IBD is and what others can do to further our research in IBD.

    The hashtags which are being used this year is #WorldIDBday2022 and #IBDhasnoage.
  • Sharing with friends and family – According to gutscharity.org.uk: “51% of people delay seeking advice for their symptoms for over 6 months! By breaking the stigma, people will become more knowledgeable about red flags for all digestive diseases and get the help they need.”

What can I do to help?

If you would like to help by donating to a charity focused on IBD, then please donate to one of the following charities:

  • Guts UK – Guts UK is committed to fighting all digestive diseases, including IBD. The donations are
    used to “fund research leading to earlier diagnoses, kinder treatments and ultimately, a cure.” If you
    would like to donate to Guts UK, then please go to https://gutscharity.org.uk/donate.

  • Crohn’s & Colitis UK – “We’re here to give people affected by Crohn’s and Colitis hope, comfort and confidence. To make sure their voices are heard and help them live freer, fuller lives. For whatever they need, whenever they need it, we’re here. And we’re not going anywhere until we’ve beaten Crohn’s and Colitis for good.” If you would like to donate to Crohn’s & Colitis UK, then please go to https://crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/get-involved/donate.

  • Bowel Disease UK – “Bowel disease UK is a registered charity funding clinical research into treatments for bowel disease. Our research is carried out under the close guidance of our trustee, Professor Devinder Kumar, a leading gastrointestinal surgeon and researcher.” If you would like to donate to Bowel Disease UK, then please go to https://www.justgiving.com/bduk.

Reshape HR is here to assist. We work with a variety of clients based across the UK, so if you are looking for HR or Payroll support or simply looking to run something past us, please do get in touch with us via:

T: 0141 471 5510
E: info@reshapehr.com
W: reshapehr.com

09May

Mental Health Awareness Week

Background

Mental Health Awareness Week is celebrated globally on an annual basis. It seeks to inspire action to promote the message of good mental health for everyone. 

This event is hosted by the Mental Health Foundation, who have been both organising and hosting Mental Health Awareness Week for the last twenty-one years.

This year the Mental Health Awareness Week will take place from the 9th – 15th of May 2022

Theme

For 2022, the theme is “Loneliness”, which focuses on the impact of loneliness on our mental wellbeing and what steps we can undertake to reduce it.

According to www.mentalhealth.org.uk “Our connection to other people and our community is fundamental to protecting our mental health and we need to find better ways of tackling the epidemic of loneliness”. 

Mind.org.uk suggest that “Feeling lonely isn’t in itself a mental health problem but the two are strongly linked. Having a mental health problem can increase your chance of feeling lonely”. 

What causes loneliness?

There are many causes that can vary from person to person, depending on their experiences or what they are experiencing at the time. For some it can be certain life events such as:

  • Experiencing a loss of a family member or friend
  • Retiring and losing the social contact which you had at work
  • Changing jobs and feeling isolated from your co-workers
  • Moving to a new area or country without family, friends or community networks
  • Starting at university or college
  • Being unable to see your family, friends and colleagues due to Covid-19 restrictions

For other people, they might find that they feel lonely at certain times of the year, such as the festive period over Christmas and New Year, birthdays or even events such as anniversaries.

What can I do to help reduce loneliness?

There are many ways that are suggested to help reduce loneliness, some of these are listed below:

  • Talk to family and friends – A simple conversation with family or friends can help you to understand how you are feeling. 

According to mentalhealth.org.uk “Talking can be a way to cope with a problem you’ve been carrying around in your head for a while. Just being listened to can help you feel supported and less alone. And it works both ways. If you open up, it might encourage others to do the same.”

  • Looking after yourself just doing some simple things to help look after yourself can improve your general wellbeing such as; taking a break as and when you need to, eating healthily and keeping yourself active. 
  • Joining a social group Having like-minded people around you, that enjoy the same activities and hobbies can help to reduce your loneliness over time, as you become more acquainted with your peers.
  • Get the Samaritans Self-Help app – The Self-Help app was created by the Samaritans with the purpose to provide a type of support that you can use without having to discuss your feelings with someone else, it is a web application which you can download onto your phone or computer. 

If you would like to download the Self-Help app, then please go to https://selfhelp.samaritans.org

If you feel that your mental health is being affected, be sure to reach out to your support system or a mental health support service as soon as possible. 

We recommend that you get in touch with Able Futures which is a government funded charity, which can provide a program/support for all matters relating to mental health, their website is able-futures.co.uk and their direct number is 0800 321 3137.

Reshape HR is here to assist. We work with a variety of clients based across the UK, so if you are looking for HR or Payroll support or simply looking to run something past us, please do get in touch with us via:


T: 0141 471 5510
E: info@reshapehr.com
W: reshapehr.com

06May

Bank of England

💸 The Bank of England’s announcement yesterday was monumental for individuals and businesses across the UK 💸.

With the stark admission that the UK may be heading towards a recession, this will no doubt be playing on the minds of businesses, irrespective of the sector and size with both, improving efficiency and saving costs will now be at the forefront of agenda for many and what they can do to protect their businesses, and support their employees.

Don’t leave it to late to analyse your business, the best course is to take action NOW, rather than react of what may await you and your business later down the line 😰.

Taking certain decisions can be both daunting and challenging for businesses, especially those that require consultation, so it can be beneficial to get some expert HR advice and guidance around such as:

◆ Alternatives to redundancy (i.e. job redeployment)
◆ Temporarily laying off employees (potentially)
◆ Managing staff redundancies (last resort)
◆ Performance Management
◆ Wellbeing and other types of support for employees

This relives some of the pressure and stress knowing that you have sound HR support and guidance at hand at all times.

Reshape HR is here to assist. We work with a variety of clients based across the UK, so if you are looking for HR or Payroll support or simply looking to run something past us, please do get in touch with us via:

↠ T: 0141 471 5510
↠ E: info@reshapehr.com
↠ W: reshapehr.com 

Just as with Covid-19 pandemic, lets work together to get through these difficult times.

#Business
#BusinessSupport
#HR
#ReshapeHR
#HRSupport
#HRAdvice
#HROutsourcing
#HRConsultancy
#PayrollSupport
#PayrollOutsourcing
#BankOfEngland
#LoomingRecession

17Apr

Happy Easter!

From all of us at Reshape HR, we would like to wish you a Happy Easter!

We hope that its a day full of happiness, joy and most importantly 🍫🐣!

#HappyEaster
#EasterSunday