When an employee is off for an extended period of time due to ill health, it is referred to as long term sickness. Long term sickness can occur for many reasons. The employee might have a serious illness, they may be suffering from workplace stress or might have personal issues going on. Long term sickness can be difficult for businesses to manage, but it is important to ensure that the health and wellbeing of your employees is paramount. Even if you have reason to believe that an employee is being disingenuous, it is crucial to manage the process fairly. 

What is Long Term Sickness?

Long term sickness is when an employee is absent for a period of time, which is usually 4 weeks or more. When an employee is off for a long period of time, they are entitled to Statutory Sick Pay for up to 28 weeks, which is paid by the employer in the same way as the employee’s wages. Some companies pay sick pay above and beyond this, while for others, the payment ends after this period.

Understanding the Situation

It can be difficult to know whether a single absence will escalate into a long term sickness absence. If the employee has a serious illness or is undergoing surgery, you would expect them to be off for a long period. However, other types of absence such as workplace stress, can be difficult to determine.

Sick Notes

When an employee is off for a long period of time, they should cover the long term sickness absence with a sick note, which is provided by the doctor. When they do not do so, it is viewed as an unauthorised absence and may result in disciplinary action, and even dismissal. Make sure you keep on top of the sick notes supplied and contact the employee if you have not received an up-to-date sick note. Managing long term sickness absence can be challenging, so it is crucial to keep communication up-to-date.

Keeping in Touch

It is important to keep in touch with employees while they are off. In this way, you can get an understanding of where they are, and what you can do to support them. For instance, if they are suffering from workplace stress, you might ask what you can do to reduce this so they can return to work. It is important not to put pressure on employees to return to work, but also to keep in touch and show empathy towards them.

Business Needs

Although it is important to show empathy and understanding to employees, you also need to manage your business needs. If a long term sickness is going to cause a significant issue and you are unable to manage the employee back to work, it might be worth a discussion to see how you can move forward. For instance, if the employee expects to be off for another year or so, you might decide to terminate the employment, with a view to re-hiring them when they are fit to return to work. Even if employees do not receive sick pay after 28 weeks, they are still accruing holidays. It can result in significant costs to a business, both in terms of Statutory Sick Pay, holiday pay and the loss of productivity.

At Inspired CVs, we provide HR advice to both employers and employees. We also offer a professional CV service, tailored to suit your individual needs. You can order your CV here or contact us to find out more about our HR and CV services.

During the Covid pandemic, most office workers were permitted to work remotely, and due to the longevity of this arrangement, it is something that employees became accustomed too. Employers have increasingly requested that employees return to the office, either completely or on a hybrid basis. If you have been asked to return to the workplace, you might be wondering what your working from home rights are, and if you can be forced back to the office.

The Benefits of Remote Working

There are many reasons why working in the office might no longer suit you. Work from home advantages include:

• Family life including childcare responsibilities
• Pet sitting - you may not have anyone to look after your pet during the day
• Office politics - you might feel anxious about being around people again and having to engage in office politics.
• Productivity - remote working might suit you better in terms of your output. Your remote work productivity might be higher than that of being in the office.
• Money - it might be more cost effective to work remotely, you may make work from home cost savings by not having to commute.

Why Do Employers Want You to Return to the Workplace?

A common thought for remote workers is, I have been doing it this way for years and it’s worked, so why do I need to return to the workplace? These are some reasons why your employer might want you back in the office. These include:

Collaboration - a common reason why employers want you to return to the office is the ability to communicate and collaborate together with your colleagues. With a hybrid working arrangement, you might not get a chance to spend time with some of your colleagues.

Productivity - your employer might have concerns over productivity. This might not concern you, but may be a more general feeling. They may find that with remote working vs office working, office working wins in the productivity stakes.

Training - the employer might feel that you are not receiving the same ability to learn new skills when you work from home.

Office spaces - employers may be tied into contracts for offices and want to make use of them.

If your employer has asked you to return to the office, these are some things you can do.

Check Your Employment Contract

The first step is to check your employment contract and in particular, your place of work clause. If your place of work is detailed on the contract as the office, then your employer is entitled to ask you to return. However, if it is states that your place of work is remote or hybrid, your employer would not be able to force you back to the office. There may be return to office contract terms.

Reach a Compromise With Your Employer

If you are being asked to return to the office and you are unable to do so, you may be able to reach a compromise with your employer. For instance, if they ask you to return five days a week, you might be able to reduce it to two or three as part of a hybrid working arrangement. Explain your reasons for looking to reduce the days and negotiate a return to office. For instance, if you can’t get childcare or you are feeling anxious about being back full time. Your employer might be open to reducing office days, as long as you are present at some point in the week.

Flexible Working Request

If your employer is unwilling to budge, you may decide to put in a formal flexible working request. In this, you can detail how you expect the arrangement to work and your employer would need to provide a business reason why this would not be possible. A flexible working request is usually a last resort if you cannot come to an informal agreement. You should understand your flexible working rights.

HR Support and Professional CV Services at Inspired CVs

At Inspired CVs, we offer expert HR support for your general employment and workplace queries, helping you understand your rights and options when returning to the office or navigating flexible working arrangements.

In addition, we provide professional CV writing services, including both traditional and graphic CVs, tailored to showcase your skills and experience effectively. Whether you are seeking career advice, updating your CV, or preparing for new opportunities, Inspired CVs can help you present yourself confidently to potential employers. Order your CV here or contact us to find out more.

Employment tribunal claims are on the rise with the employment tribunal receiving 42,000 single claims in 2024/25, which is an increase of 23% from the previous year. According to The Ministry of Justice, there were 45,000 open claims at the end of March 2025, which is a 33,000 increase from the previous year. Employment tribunals are a constant worry for employers, but how do you reduce the risk of unfair dismissal claims?

What is Unfair Dismissal?

There can be a lot of confusion regarding employment tribunals and who is eligible to claim unfair dismissal. In most cases, an employee must have at least two years’ continuous service to bring an unfair dismissal claim/ However, they can still claim for unfair dismissal and take an employer to an employment tribunal if it relates to an automatically unfair reason, including:

• Discrimination based on protected characteristics
  
  
• Breach of contract
  
  
• Dismissal for requesting or exercising a statutory right
  
  
• Whistleblowing
  
  
• Health and safety concerns

Can an employee with less than two years’ service take an employer to tribunal?

Yes — if the dismissal falls under an automatically unfair reason.

Fair Reasons for Dismissal

Employers may dismiss employees for legitimate reasons, provided a fair process is followed. Common fair reasons include:

• Poor performance
  
  
• Redundancy
  
  
• Absenteeism
  
  
• Gross misconduct
  

Even when a valid reason exists, failure to follow a fair and reasonable procedure can still result in an unfair dismissal claim.

How to Avoid Unfair Dismissal Claims

It is important for employers to take steps to reduce the potential risk of unfair dismissal claims. Employment tribunals will expect an employer to show how they reached this decision through relevant documentation. These are some ways to avoid an unfair dismissal claim:

Communicate with Employees

Open and honest communication with employees can help to resolve conflict. When employees feel that their employer is supporting them, they will be less likely to want to take them to an employment tribunal. It is important to treat employees fairly and without judgement.

Document Everything

Most employers will lose claims at an employment tribunal due to a lack of documentation. For instance, if you have dismissed someone for high absenteeism, but you have not conducted return to work and disciplinary meetings, you are likely to lose the case. Make sure you keep a record of every discussion you have with the employee, including any warnings or meetings you have conducted. Make sure you have documentation related to:

• Meetings and discussions
  
  
• Performance reviews
  
  
• Warnings and action plans
  
  
• Absence management procedures

Use Probationary Periods

Probationary periods are a good way to avoid expensive employment tribunals. You can use probationary periods in your contract to determine if the candidate is the right fit and if not, it is far easier to dismiss them while they are still in their probationary period.

Employment Tribunal Case Examples

• Tesco unfair dismissal case
  A customer sales assistant with 26 years’ service was dismissed after being incorrectly recorded as AWOL while on authorised holiday. The tribunal upheld her unfair dismissal claim, awarding nearly £5,000.
  
  
• Maternity discrimination case
  An office worker was awarded £50,000 after being excluded from a company-wide free day off and denied information about job opportunities while on maternity leave.

These cases highlight the importance of accurate records, fair treatment, and inclusive communication.

Employment tribunals can be costly, time-consuming, and damaging to reputation. Taking proactive steps to support employees and maintain accurate documentation is essential.

At Inspired CVs, we provide HR advice for employers, as well as professional CV writing services tailored to your needs.

Order your CV today or contact us to find out more about how we can support you.

When you are looking for a job, it can be easy to get lost and forget what roles you have applied for. It is important to keep track of your job applications, especially if you are applying for multiple jobs as otherwise you can face awkward conversations with recruiters. When you track job applications, you can also follow up on them when the deadline passes, which gives you a better chance of being selected for an interview. A job application tracker can help support your job search progress, giving you a better chance of being shortlisted. These are some tips for how to track your job applications effectively and improve your success rate in today’s competitive job market.

Generate a New Email Address for Job Applications

If you are applying for jobs online, it might be worthwhile setting up a new professional email address specifically for your job applications. With the high volume of spam most people receive daily, it can be easy for important emails from recruiters to get lost in the mix. With a new email address, you can easily keep track of your responses and ensure you never miss an important email related to your job search. A dedicated job search email helps you to stay organised.

Create a Job Application Spreadsheet

The first step in the ways to track your job applications is to create a spreadsheet with key details, including the job title, the company, contact details for the role and the date you applied. You may also want to add the closing date of the job so you know when to start chasing an outcome for your job application. You may also want to add some notes to the spreadsheet on the shift pattern, salary etc. You should also save the job description so you can refer to it if the recruiter contacts you to discuss the role. Using a job tracking spreadsheet will enable you to keep on top of your job hunting progress.

Send a Follow-Up Email After Applying for Jobs

When you apply for a job online via a job search platform such as Indeed, LinkedIn or Glassdoor, it is a good idea to also drop the employer a follow-up email to let them know that you have applied. This ensurse that your CV or resume will not go into a black hole and it will also show to the recruiter that you are enthusiastic about the role. A job application follow-up email can increase your chances of being noticed and being invited for an interview. Following up on your job applications is a simple but effective step in your job search strategy, and one that often gets missed out.

Add Key Job Application Dates to Your Diary

To stay organised during your job search, you may also want to add the key job application dates to your diary, including application deadlines, interview schedules and follow up reminders. Do what works for you in terms of tracking job applications, whether it be reminders on your phone, calendars, spreadsheets or a diary. Everyone works differently.

Set Reminders for Job Applications

To stay on top of your job search, you can also set reminders for following up on your job applications. This ensures that no opportunity slips through the cracks and that you stay in touch with recruiters. You can set reminders using your calendar app, phone notifications, or productivity tools like Trello, which can give you timely nudges to contact employers about your applications.

Get a Professional CV to Boost Your Job Search Success

To achieve success in your job search, having a professional CV is essential. A well-crafted CV or resume increases your chances of getting interviews and standing out to recruiters. At Inspired CVs, we specialise in helping job seekers improve their CVs to maximise interview opportunities.

You can order your CV today, choosing from both traditional and graphic CV formats, or contact us to discuss a personalised CV solution that aligns with your career goals. With a professional CV service, you can take your job applications to the next level and improve your job hunting success.

When you work in a hostile work environment, you may be exposed to workplace harassment, discrimination, or emotional abuse. Workplace hostility can arise for many reasons. For example, there may be an established clique in the office, and as a new employee, you are met with exclusion or disdain. In other cases, a mistake on a project may lead colleagues to distance themselves from you, or extended absence due to illness may cause resentment among coworkers. You may experience hostility at work for no apparent reason. You may just work in a toxic working environment.

Regardless of the cause, hostility in the workplace is unacceptable. A toxic work environment can lead to stress, anxiety, reduced productivity, and poor mental health. Every employee has the right to feel safe and content in their workplace. After all, we spend most of our life in the workplace.

Examples of Hostility at Work

Every employee is entitled to go to work feeling safe, respected, and free from intimidation. Unfortunately, hostility in the workplace can take many forms, some of which may be subtle but still harmful. Common examples of workplace hostility include:

• Walking out of a room when you enter, making you feel unwelcome or isolated
  
  
• Giving you the silent treatment, deliberately ignoring communication
  
  
• Mocking or dismissive comments about your ideas, opinions, or contributions
  
  
• Excluding you from meetings, projects, or workplace events that are relevant to your role
  
  
• Undermining your abilities, performance, or professional credibility in front of others
  

These behaviours can contribute to a toxic work environment and may lead to workplace stress. You might dread the thought of going to work each day, and this can eventually lead to depression.

How to Deal with a Hostile Work Environment

If you are dealing with a hostile work environment, it is natural to feel unhappy, stressed, or anxious about going to work. These feelings are completely understandable. Experiencing workplace hostility can have a serious impact on your mental health, confidence, and overall wellbeing. While these feelings are completely understandable, a hostile or toxic workplace should never be accepted as normal. 

If you are facing hostility in the workplace, there are practical steps you can take to protect yourself and address the situation. 

Explain the Situation

You may want to speak to the people involved and try to explain the situation at work. For example, if the reason for the hostile work environment is due to a breakdown in communication, you may wish to discuss this with the individuals involved. Workplace communication issues are common, and sometimes just take someone to step in and deal with conflict resolution at work. Open communication can help to resolve workplace conflict.

Speak to Your Manager

Regardless of what is going on in the workplace, your manager is there to support you, and help you deal with difficult situations. If you are dealing with a hostile work environment, you should speak to your manager about the situation and seek advice on what to do next. The manager should help resolve workplace issues for you, so they don’t escalate into a toxic work environment. Managers are responsible for workplace conflict resolution and ensuring employees feel safe and comfortable in the workplace.

Document Everything

If your manager is unwilling or unable to help you deal with a hostile work environment, you may need to speak to your HR department. You should document everything so you can refer back to it. For instance, examples of the situation, who was involved and the time and date. When you document workplace incidents, it can make it easier for the HR department to investigate. You should know your employee rights at work.

If you are working in a hostile environment and it is not easily resolved, you may decide to look for another job. In this case, you should have a professional CV to help support your job search. At Inspired CVs, we provide professional CVs for candidates throughout the UK and globally. Contact us to find out more about our CV writing services UK, or order your new CV here and we will be in touch. We also offer job search support to our CV clients.

Office parties are meant to be a chance to relax and celebrate, but things don’t always go according to plan. If you’ve crossed a line—or even feel like you’ve leapt over it—at a work event, the thought of returning to the office after the holidays can be stressful. An embarrassing moment or poor decision at an office party can quickly turn post-holiday excitement into anxiety. So, what do you do if you have made an office party mistake and need to return to the workplace? How do you  manage workplace embarrassment and return to work feeling confident? These are some common office party mistakes and some suggestions on how to manage these awkward situations.

Drinking Too Much at an Office Party

Over indulging at an office party is commonplace, and if you have drank too much alcohol, you are not alone. If the worst thing you did at your office party is to drink too much, you need not worry. Although it is best to try and keep your drinks to a minimum when out with colleagues, you are entitled to do want you want, including letting loose if you wish. Filling yourself with anxiety about it is not going to help. Take it on the chin and promise yourself you’ll try to keep it to the minimum the next time. As long as you are professional at work, it should not matter if you had one too many during an office party.

Overfriendly with Colleagues or Clients

It is no surprise that a lot of flirting happens at office parties, even more than this in many cases. There is nothing wrong with engaging in romantic activity with colleagues or clients, as long as it is consenting and it will not cause any harm to anyone. If you have been overfriendly at an office party, you may be stressing about it, however, there is not much you can do. It is best not to discuss these things with your colleagues when you do return to the workplace. If you are asked about the situation and have a reason to apologise, then by all means do so. Otherwise, keep any personal situations to yourself, as these things are not for the workplace. You may be asked to explain office party conduct with clients, if it goes against your contract or office party behaviour with colleagues that may have been unwarranted. In this case, explain your situation and apologise where necessary.

Inappropriate Jokes or Comments

“Loose lips sink ships” is a phrase that often proves true at office parties. When alcohol is involved, people can easily let their guard down, and this is when inappropriate jokes or comments are most likely to be made. What may have seemed harmless at the time can later cause embarrassment, concern, or even workplace tension. You may be feeling hot and bothered every time you think about it - or you may not even remember exactly what you have said!

If you made inappropriate comments or jokes at an office party, it’s completely normal to feel anxious about returning to work. In this case, it is best to try and reach out to anyone that may have been adversely affected by the comments, and apologise. You can’t take the comments back, but an apology is bound to be appreciated. Everyone makes mistakes from time to time but taking responsibility shows maturity. If you are not quite sure what you said, then you might want to reach out to someone you trust, so you know what to expect when you return to the workplace.

Stay Professional

The best way to recover from office party mishaps is by being your most professional when you do return to the workplace. As long as nothing serious has happened, these things will usually blow over fairly quickly. The best course of action is to be professional and don’t let it adversely affect your job or future career. Office party mistakes at work are common, so maintaining workplace professionalism is the best way to deal with these situations.

If you have crossed the line at an office party and there is no chance of career recovery after office party, you might want to find a new job. At Inspired CVs, we provide both traditional and graphically designed CVs to help you overcome the embarrassment of an office party and find your next role. Contact us today to find out more or order your CV here.

A professional CV writer might seem like an unnecessary luxury, but if you are banging your head against a wall when it comes to your job search, it might be worth considering. Professional CV writers are able to view your skills and expertise from another perspective, while you might not be able to see the wood from the trees. You may not be selling yourself in the best way to gain success with your job search. These are some signs that you should use a professional CV writing service.

No Interview Invites? Your CV Might Be the Issue

Job searching in itself can be an arduous task, but if you are applying for jobs that are in line with your skills and expertise, yet you are not being invited for an interview, there is an issue with your CV. A professional CV writer can analyse your CV and understand how to make it stand out. They will also use appropriate keywords to help your CV pass through an ATS. They can view it from the eyes of a recruiter and ensure you start receiving interview invites.

Career Change CV Support

If you have decided to make a career change, working with a professional CV writer can significantly improve your chances of success. An experienced CV writer will edit your CV to clearly showcase your transferable skills, helping employers see how your experience transfers to another career.

Rather than focusing on the career you have had, a professional CV writer will tailor your CV around the career you want, aligning your skills, achievements, and experience with your new industry. With expert knowledge of CV structure, keywords, and employer expectations, a professional CV writer knows exactly how to position your profile for a successful career transition.

Career Break or Career Gap

If you have taken a career break or experienced a career gap, the prospect of returning to work can leave you feeling overwhelmed. It is important to be prepared if you are returning to the workplace, and one way to do this is to ensure you have a professional CV. When you know your CV is spot on, you’ll be ready to hit your job search and will feel armed and ready to go. Returning to work will be easier with a professional, up-to-date CV, that presents your skills and experience in a way that attracts employers.

Lack of Confidence

If you are experiencing a lack of confidence when looking for a new role, a professional CV can give you the confidence boost you need. A professional CV writer will be able to highlight the most appealing aspects of your skills and expertise, while also adding personality to make you shine! Most candidates don’t know how to sell themselves on paper and this can affect their confidence when applying for jobs.

If you are interested in a new, professional CV, we can help. Our expert CV writing team will provide a professional CV that enhances your best qualities, improves your confidence and helps you reach that all-important interview stage. We can also provide one to one consultations to help boost your confidence in preparation for interviews. Order your CV here or contact us to find out more.

The thought of a job interview is daunting for most people. After all, you are being put in the limelight while employers assess whether you are the right candidate for the role. Many job seekers experience interview anxiety, which can negatively impact confidence and overall performance. Feeling nervous before an interview is common, but you can build interview confidence by taking some small actions.

Understand the Job Specification

The recruiter is interviewing you based on the job you applied for, and therefore, your primary job interview preparation and research should focus on the job spec and how your experience relates. The recruiter wants to know that you are capable of carrying out the job, so even if you don’t have the exact experience, you should be prepared to show how your skills and experience are transferable. You will build interview confidence if you understand how you would fit into the role.

Don’t Overanalyse the Interview

Most people will go into an interview and start analysing every action from the interviewer. Why did they stop smiling? Why did the interview only last 15 minutes? You can get yourself tied up in knots by interview overthinking. Instead, go into your interview with a mindset that you will just do your thing, without focusing on what the interviewer is doing. All you can do is your best, and no matter how indepth your job interview preparation is, you cannot control how the recruiter views you, so there is no point in trying to do so.

Research the Company

The recruiter is not expecting you to know the financial accounts of the company but they expect you to research the company before an interview, and have some general knowledge. Try to put yourself in the position of the recruiter and consider how you would feel if it was your business. What would your impression be if you interviewed someone for your business and they knew nothing about it? It would not fill you with confidence. Some of the key things to understand as part of your interview preparation tips include:

• What service or product they offer
• What location(s) they service
• Their culture/values

You can get this information from their website and in some cases, you might find this on their social media. Again, there is no need to spend hours pouring over this information, as information overload might make you suffer even more interview nerves. Instead, just understand the basics of the company so you are prepared for any questions.

View the Interview as a Conversation

When you think about it, an interview is only a conversation. The interviewer is just trying to get to know a bit more about you and to find out if you are the right fit for the role. When you start viewing the interview more as a conversation than an interrogation, you will feel more relaxed. As part of your job interview mindset, you should try to think less about being in the spotlight, and more about just trying to converse successfully with the interviewers. 

An Interview is a Two Way Street

While it can feel like all eyes are on you during a job interview, it’s important to remember that the process is a two-way street. A job interview is not just about impressing the recruiter; it’s also an opportunity for you to evaluate whether the company, role, and culture are the right fit for you. Keeping this perspective in mind can help reduce interview anxiety. You will feel more comfortable in an interview if you consider that the interviewers are also feeling the heat!

At Inspired CVs, we specialise in creating both traditional and graphic professional CVs to help you advance your career. Our services are designed to showcase your skills and experience effectively, giving you a competitive edge in the job market. In addition, we offer one-to-one career consultations to help you prepare for interviews, boost your confidence, and maximize your chances of success. Whether you need a standout CV or personalised interview coaching, our expert team is here to support your career growth. Contact us today to learn more and take the next step in your professional journey.