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A decade ago, I sat at my Harry Potter desk under the stairs, redundancy papers in one hand and a comforting slice of cake in the other, reluctantly agreeing to "try" consulting for six months. Ten years, countless cups of coffee, and an embarrassing amount of cake later, Kate Underwood HR has evolved from that uncertain beginning into something truly special.

This anniversary episode takes you on the journey from corporate burnout to building a business that's transformed dozens of small companies. I share the pivotal moments that shaped my approach to HR – like the time I realised not every client is the right client (after one expected 24/7 access and another wanted me mediating family disputes over Christmas bonuses), or how the pandemic pushed us to work harder than ever while everyone else was baking banana bread.

The heart of my philosophy hasn't changed: small businesses deserve big business HR knowledge and tools without the eye-watering price tag. What has evolved is how I deliver it – through online training, fractional HR Director services, and innovative tech solutions that make compliance less scary and more practical. I've learned that while perfect policies matter, honest conversations matter more, and that recognition isn't fluff – it's what makes people stay.

To celebrate hitting double digits, I'm offering something special: a two-month free trial of Breathe HR (double the usual offer) available only in June 2025. After a decade of helping businesses organise their people data, automate processes and boost compliance, I'd love to help you experience the difference the right systems can make.

Thank you for being part of this cake-fuelled journey. Whether you're a long-time client, a new listener, or somewhere in between, you've helped create a business that makes HR less intimidating and more human. Subscribe to join us for the next chapter, where we'll explore AI in HR, welcome fantastic guests, and continue proving that HR with a twist of geek can actually be something you look forward to.

Thank you for tuning in to Buzzing About HR with Kate Underwood!
If you enjoyed today’s episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review—your feedback helps us grow and reach more people like you.

Have questions or need HR advice? Reach out to Kate Underwood HR & Training at www.kateunderwoodhr.co.uk, email us on buzz@kateunderwoodhr.co.uk or follow us on social media for more tips, resources, and updates.

Until next time, keep buzzing and take care of your people!

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Navigating the legal minefield of verbal job offers can be tricky terrain for even the most experienced HR professionals. Have you ever wondered if that enthusiastic "We'd love to have you!" creates a legally binding contract? The answer might surprise you.

When excitement takes over during the perfect interview, it's easy to blurt out an offer without considering the legal implications. But as the McCann v Snowzone case demonstrates, verbal offers carry real weight in employment tribunals – potentially requiring payment of notice periods even if your new hire never starts. That casual conversation could become a costly commitment faster than you can say "welcome aboard."

The secret weapon every hiring manager needs? Five simple words: "subject to references and right to work." This magical phrase, when used before acceptance, creates conditional offers that protect your business while maintaining professionalism. Paired with prompt written follow-up, a streamlined offer process, and proper documentation, you'll navigate verbal offers confidently.

For busy SMEs, I've broken down the practical steps to make offers legally sound without administrative headaches. From creating simple offer scripts to knowing exactly what constitutes a binding agreement, this episode delivers actionable advice you can implement immediately. Learn how to avoid common pitfalls like letting candidates resign before formal offers are signed or making promises that exceed what you intended.

Ready to handle verbal offers with confidence? Listen now, then get in touch if you'd like personalised help with conditional offer letters or contract wording. And don't miss next week's episode on managing the "Great British Sickie" – those unexpected absences that cost your business more than you might think.

Thank you for tuning in to Buzzing About HR with Kate Underwood!
If you enjoyed today’s episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review—your feedback helps us grow and reach more people like you.

Have questions or need HR advice? Reach out to Kate Underwood HR & Training at www.kateunderwoodhr.co.uk, email us on buzz@kateunderwoodhr.co.uk or follow us on social media for more tips, resources, and updates.

Until next time, keep buzzing and take care of your people!

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Every small business has valuable intellectual property—far beyond what you might imagine. Your sales strategies, client lists, training materials, and even the clever copy on your website represent significant assets, but are you protecting them properly?

Buzzing About HR tackles the often-overlooked world of intellectual property protection for businesses of all sizes. We break down the five essential contract clauses that serve as your first line of defence: IP assignment provisions that ensure what your team creates belongs to your business, moral rights waivers that prevent creative control disputes, confidentiality clauses with teeth, clear requirements for returning and deleting company data, and strategic garden leave provisions that buy critical time during transitions.

Beyond paperwork, we explore practical operational measures that don't require a massive IT budget—from managing the LinkedIn contacts dilemma to preventing data loss through personal Apple IDs. Learn why restrictive covenants often fail in court and discover alternatives that better protect your business interests. We'll walk through supplementary tools like IP deeds and BYOD agreements that close common loopholes, plus provide a straightforward 30-day action plan to strengthen your intellectual property safeguards immediately.

The stakes are high—when a key team member walks away with your hard-earned intellectual assets, recovering them can be costly and stressful. Prevention truly is the more efficient path. Whether you're a startup founder handling HR yourself or a seasoned HR professional looking to upgrade your protection strategies, this episode delivers actionable advice without the legal jargon. Ready to keep your intellectual property where it belongs? Subscribe, leave a review, and join us next time when we tackle the surprising legal implications of verbal job offers!

Thank you for tuning in to Buzzing About HR with Kate Underwood!
If you enjoyed today’s episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review—your feedback helps us grow and reach more people like you.

Have questions or need HR advice? Reach out to Kate Underwood HR & Training at www.kateunderwoodhr.co.uk, email us on buzz@kateunderwoodhr.co.uk or follow us on social media for more tips, resources, and updates.

Until next time, keep buzzing and take care of your people!