Real Life Training
Successful management of the employment relationship is not just about knowing the law.
We can help you become a dynamic self-aware organisation, through empowerment of the people who operate at the core of your business. Personal motivation of individual staff is key to overall results. Employment law is about statutes, regulations and case law. Equally it is about people, perception, emotion and change. Help your staff at all levels develop the skills, confidence and maturity to navigate their working environment with dignity. It’s a simple case of cause and effect. Invest in your staff and they will invest in you.
Real Life modules – new and updated for 2007/2008
The reason we have updated our management training service is simple. The link between knowing the law and effective communication is fundamental to the success of a manager. To offer one without the other is really giving half the toolkit to your key people.
We have 28 modules to choose from and these are divided across the following 4 key areas:
- Workplace communication
- Personal Development
- Procedure
- Contracts
Please click on a heading to identify the modules within a particular area.
Modules can be delivered from £350 plus VAT. Please click here to register your details and to book a follow up call.
1. Workplace communication
Preventing tribunal claims and grievances: Flash Points and Resolutions
Receiving or delivering bad news, discussing bonus, promotion, disciplinary, grievance and performance issues: These are just a few of the flash points that we have identified in a managers working life where communication skills are key to the managers ability to engage with an employee in a positive manner. Failure to do so will undoubtedly give rise to problems. So how does the manager learn to recognise these flash points and how should he/she deal with them when they arise?
Understanding Trust and Confidence
Every contract contains an implied term of trust and confidence. Managers must never act so as to destroy or damage this relationship. Behaviour which the employee perceives to be hostile may give rise to a claim for breach of contract. What implications are there for managers in terms of their written and oral interactions with staff?
Communication and Listening skills
More than 50 percent of communication is non-verbal. Develop your ability to transmit the intended message through speech, tone, body language and observation.
Employment tribunal claims can be avoided if an employer adopts strategies to avoid a breakdown in communication between management and staff. We focus on proven methods of improving all forms of communication in the workplace, bringing out the best in your employees.
Information and consultation for management and employee reps
Whether you have already established a consultation forum, or you are considering the merits of doing so, we can adapt this module to suit your current requirements and existing levels of knowledge.
Managing Change - Legal and Practical Issues
Successful change management in the workplace is about effective communication. It is important for those who are involved in strategy implementation to understand and comply with relevant employment law obligations.
2. Personal Development
Business Ethics
This module examines the cross-over between employment law and business ethics. The bottom line for most organisations is now threefold; economic, social and environmental. Many organisations are starting to consider the benefits of adopting a Code of Ethics in order to articulate corporate values, responsibilities and obligations. Such a Code can prove invaluable guidance to employees on handling difficult ethical situations that may arise. A Code of Ethics will be specific to any given organisation and is likely to cover ethical issues set against a backdrop of legal implications. From an employment perspective issues such as confidentiality and whistleblowing, organisational approach to families and work-life balance and health and safety may all be of relevance.
Respect in the Workplace
Delegates take the time to explore key concepts around goal setting, time management, deadlines, facilitation skills and relationships with others.
Explore Your Potential
Often people who are in a job for sometime become happy living in their comfort zone. Through this workshop the boundaries that you have created for yourself will be challenged, as we think about what is possible as opposed to what is expected. We will explore some hints and tips about how you can achieve your new found goals.
Personality
Personality is a complex issue, each of us being unique. This makes issues such as dealing with conflict or managing change challenging. However, an understanding of the traits of the individuals in our teams, and how these people are likely to interact, makes the role of management significantly easier. Providing an introduction to the concepts of personality, and how this can be measured and managed, you will be become better equipped to manage your team more effectively.
Personality Questionnaires
Following up from the Personality workshop, you can find out more about your own personality, by using our Personality Questionnaire. Taking about 45-60 minutes to complete, following this you will attend a feedback meeting where your various personality traits are explored, to give you a better understanding about how you react in different situations. As part of this process you will also receive a written report documenting the main findings from the responses you have given.
Coaching Skills for Managers
Many organisations now recognise the benefits of adopting a management style that is based upon coaching. Such a style is about learning to get the best out of people. A manager with a coaching style will approach matters in a flexible, enabling and non-judgmental manner and will act as a positive role model for others.
Time Management and Personal Motivation
Some people seem to have the knack when it comes to time management and personal motivation. We examine the best tips and hints from those in the know to help all of us manage our time more efficiently with the knock on effect of greater personal satisfaction and work/life balance.
3. Procedure
Appraisals and performance management
We examine issues around performance management focussing in particular on appraisals. The aim of the module is to highlight the importance of running a meaningful appraisal process. A good appraisal can assist with the development of staff but may also be used as an evidential tool in the context of performance-based dismissals. The module examines practical steps for supporting and encouraging improved performance.
Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures (participative)
Employers should have comprehensive procedures in place to avoid falling foul of the statutory dispute resolution procedure. We look at why procedures have to be adopted and how best to apply such procedures in practice.
From feedback we receive we know that one of the things managers fear most is getting it wrong. This course gives a clear overview of basic legal principles and goes on to allow managers to develop their skills and confidence around these key areas. We utilise a real life case study where delegates actively participate in running a disciplinary and grievance procedure.
Absence Management (participative)
We focus on strategies to deal with both long-term and short-term ill health, including consideration of the Disability Discrimination Act. We include participative case studies.
Mock tribunal
Involvement in a tribunal claim can be daunting. It becomes less so with a full understanding of the tribunal process from start to finish.
Stress management
A total of 12.8 million working days were lost to stress, depression and anxiety in 2003/2004. This training looks at key measures for identifying and minimising stress at work.
- managing others
- managing your own stress
Understanding Mediation (participative)
Our trained mediator explains the differences between mediation, conciliation and the Court/ Tribunal process. A fascinating insight into various methods of dispute resolution including an analysis of the roles of the different parties who will be involved and the relevant communication process.
Recruitment issues - understanding law and best practice (including age discrimination)
This module is an exploration of current best practice and legal compliance in respect of recruitment. We examine practical examples of common approaches that may fall foul of discrimination legislation including age discrimination. We examine how to run a recruitment process from start to finish including advertising, sifting and interviews.
Understanding TUPE
This course sets out the key concepts arising under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006. We keep things as practical as possible and avoid the legal ease. This is a crucial module for anyone involved in management of in-sourcing or out-sourcing.
Employment Legislation Update
We look at the most recent developments and provide an insight into forthcoming changes. We help you consider the likely impact of these changes in order to help with forward planning.
4. Contracts
Equality training, including discrimination, bullying and harassment
Minimise the risks of bullying and harassment in the workplace and ensure that you deal effectively with complaints if they do arise. We also look at the most recent case law under the Protection from Harassment Act.
Focus on Disability Discrimination
This module is an in-depth analysis of an employer's obligations in respect of disabled employees, workers and job applicants. We can also include information on provision of goods and services and use of premises.
Training is provided at management level or staffing level.
Atypical Contracts
We explain the legal context relating to:
- Fixed Term Contracts
- Part time and Flexible Working
- Young Workers
- Temporary and Casual Workers
- Workers and Employees
- Probationary Periods
Disability (including managing staff who suffer from a mental impairment)
We focus on strategies to deals with both long-term sand short-term ill health, including consideration of the Disability Discrimination Act.
Understanding executive and non executive appointments
There is a huge difference between an executive director who is an employee of the company and a non-executive who has been appointed to take office. Failure to understand and observe the key differences in treatment will undoubtedly give rise to claims.
Data Protection and Information Management
You obtain an understanding of the requirements of the Data Protection Act and focus on practical strategies that can be adopted within the workplace.
Family friendly workplace rights
Develop a thorough understanding of current family friendly provisions including paternity, maternity, flexible working and taking time off in emergencies.
Health and safety in the workplace
Health and Safety in the workplace is an area that employers cannot afford to ignore. We look at the legal framework, risk management and prioritisation.