What does the course cover?

Over the 2 days we will cover the following topic areas:

How to ensure HR compliance

This module gives a clear, practical understanding of the HR basics every business needs. It focuses on helping managers understand the fundamentals and spot risks early, without needing specialist knowledge or legal expertise. 

• The basics of contracts of employment and what should be included 

• Understanding employment status and why it matters in practice 

• The minimum HR policies most businesses need. 

How to recruit the right people

This module supports managers to recruit confidently and fairly in an SME environment. It focuses on making good hiring decisions, setting clear expectations from the start, and avoiding common recruitment mistakes that lead to performance or people issues later on. 

• The manager’s role in the recruitment process 

• Defining the role clearly: skills, behaviours and expectations 

• Attracting the right candidates 

• Fair and consistent selection and interviewing 

• Making confident hiring decisions and setting expectations early 

How to manage poor performance

This module supports managers who need to address underperformance confidently and fairly. It focuses on the practical HR aspects of driving performance, helping managers understand when informal management is no longer enough and how to take appropriate next steps. 

• What good people management looks like for non‑HR managers 

• Setting people up for success through effective induction 

• The difference between performance management, conduct and capability 

• Managing poor performance during the probationary period. 

• Recognising when performance issues need a more formal approach 

How to manage absence 

This module helps managers confidently and consistently manage absence in an SME setting. It focuses on having the right conversations, spotting patterns early, and taking appropriate action while balancing employee wellbeing with business needs. 

• What good absence management looks like in practice – what to include in an absence policy 

• Understanding and applying your absence policy consistently 

• Conducting effective return‑to‑work conversations 

• Spotting patterns and knowing when to take the next steps 

• Knowing when to manage absence yourself and when to involve HR. 

How to conduct an investigation

This module supports managers who may be involved in workplace investigations. It focuses on how to prepare properly, gather information fairly, and avoid common mistakes that can undermine outcomes. 

• When an investigation is needed and when it isn’t 

• The manager’s role in an investigation 

• Planning the investigation and defining scope 

• Gathering information and evidence fairly. 

How to prepare for redundancies 

This module helps managers understand what redundancy is, how the process works, and their role in supporting employees through change. It focuses on preparation, communication and knowing when specialist HR support is required. 

• What redundancy is and what it isn’t 

• Redundancy vs restructuring and reorganisation 

• The manager’s role in the redundancy process 

• Establishing the business case for redundancy 

• Avoiding redundancies. 

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By the end of this course, your managers will understand the key areas of HR related to their role and be equipped with practical tools they can immediately put into action. 

What’s included?

Included

The following deliverables are included in the base price:

• 12 delegate places
• pre-course requirements analysis (four hours)
• company-specific content customisation (two hours)
• in-person training delivery exclusive to your organisation (two days)
• module workbook for each delegate
• light refreshments for delegates
• instructor travel (within 20 miles)
• post-course additional delegate resources
• post-course organisational implementation guide

Optional

The following deliverables are charged additionally if required:

• additional delegates
• additional requirements analysis
• additional content customisation
• delegate lunch
• venue hire
• facilitated post-course implementation

Need something different?

To better balance your required depth of learning with your time and budget constraints, we offer a number of different length courses covering the same material. Likewise, we also offer training covering a range of other management-related topic areas.

Duration	Leadership & Management	HR & Employment Law	Health & Wellbeing
1 Hour	–	–	Mental Health Conversations Lunch & Learn ✨FREE!✨
2 Hours	Management Essentials Bitesize Series	HR Essentials Bitesize Series	–
4 Hours	–	–	Mental Health First Aid Refresher
2 Days	Management Fundamentals Course	HR Fundamentals Course	Mental Health First Aid MHFAider
6+ Days	Management Masterclass Programme	HR Masterclass Programme	–

To find out more about our delivery options, please contact us to arrange an informal chat with one of our friendly and down-to-earth training instructors.

We can help you with HR & employment law training!

Already know what you want? Great, let’s get to it!

Not sure exactly what you need? No problem!

Our friendly and down-to-earth management training experts will point you in the right direction. We’d love to have an informal chat to find out more about your business and so help you identify the areas most in need of attention.

We’re not after a quick sale, we’re all about building long-term relationships. In fact, we don’t even employ any sales people. Which means that right from the start you’ll be talking directly to someone who can actually help you.

We’re ready and waiting, so just get in touch!