· How do you handle a request from an employee for flexible working?

With the right to request flexible working being law for parents and carers, how do you deal with a request? Zest HR can help you decide if you can accommodate the request and how this will happen. Did you know that by being able to agree to flexible working, you will retain and motivate your staff?

However, what if it is impossible and you simply cannot agree? We can help you with this too, providing a considered viewpoint for your member of staff. We can also coach you on how to have a difficult conversation with your staff member if you are not able to agree, which will help you minimise the impact of declining their request.

· How do you advise a female employee on her maternity rights?

Do you know what the current legislation allows? If not, do you know where to find out? Let us take the worry out of getting it wrong and provide you and your employee with up to the minute information for her maternity leave and pay rights.

We can hold a 1:1 with your employee to go through her rights and provide you with a summary of what you have to do and when.

· How do you cover an employee’s work when she is on mat leave?

We can assist you on managing your business whilst your employee is off. From helping you to re-organise your existing workload or helping you recruit a temporary replacement, we can find a workable solution that will minimise the impact of her maternity leave on your business.

· How do you recruit new staff?

We can guide you through the recruitment process. First of all by helping you define what you are looking for, guiding you on the best method for getting the right candidate, helping you with interviewing and selecting the best staff for your vacancy. We can train you on how to conduct an interview, if you have not had much practice or feel a bit worried about what to say or not to say! We can also script an interview for you, so you ask the same questions to all of the candidates you interview for the job.

We can also help you prepare offer letters and other documentation and also respond to unsuccessful applicants on your behalf. When the new member of staff joins you, we can help you with an induction programme which will bring them up to speed with their new role quickly and efficiently.

· Is your documentation up to speed?

Have you got role profiles for your team? Do they all have all the documentation they require, such as a statement of terms and conditions of employment? Do you have information on the new holiday entitlements? Let us help you ensure that your documentation is current and up to date. We can advise you on new legislation and how it applies in practice, notifying you of any changes you should make to terms and conditions of employment, for example.

· Is your HR system secure and compliant with data protection?

We can make sure you are keeping only the information you need to keep. We can also help you make sure that the information is secure. With our business partners, we can also advise you on HR computer systems that may suit your business.