HR Diaries: The One Where Everyone’s Off Sick, Settling, or Secretly Doing Chemo

This week’s theme? Quiet chaos. Settlement agreements signed, long-term sick cases handled with care, and one care home that’s (politely) an HR grenade.

Let’s get into it 👇

🚀 TL;DR – This Week in HR:

✅ Settlement agreement signed — finally

✅ Marketing hire hitting the ground running

✅ Long-term sickness handled with care and compliance

✅ Cancer, confidentiality, and a fiercely determined employee

✅ Micromanagement is quietly breaking a team

✅ “Don’t F**k Up Your HR” — new course coming soon

✅ Underperforming salesperson still... underperforming

👋 Welcome, Marketing Manager

My new hire arrived full of ideas and already making waves. We’ve got a clear 3-week plan, strong deliverables, and she’s tackling the mess like a pro.

💡 HR Fix: You don’t need a 97-slide induction deck. A structured first 3 weeks > shiny onboarding portal. Give new hires clarity, not clutter.

📝 Settlement Agreement Signed (And Another One Almost Done)

After months of negotiation, we’ve got one over the line. Another — involving a long-term sick employee who won’t be in a position to return — is being handled under capability with 12 weeks’ notice and dignity intact.

💡 HR Fix: Medical capability dismissals need structure and sensitivity. Document everything. Lead with heart — but always wrap it in process.

🎗️ When Chemo Meets Confidentiality

One employee is receiving cancer treatment but still trying to work as normal. He’s burning out — and confusing the team. We’re now recommending sick leave or remote work to reduce ambiguity and stress.

💡 HR Fix: Cancer = automatic Equality Act protection. Flexibility is key, but so is team clarity. Manage expectations with empathy.

🧨 Micromanagement Is Breaking This Business

A client’s MD is losing control — and the team is paying the price. One employee’s now getting counselling. The signs of burnout are everywhere.

💡 HR Fix: Don’t just offer wellbeing support — tackle the root. Cultural fixes start at the top. That might mean 360 feedback, coaching, or a tough conversation.

📉 Salesperson Still Not Selling

One client’s keeping an underperforming rep on — paying for them to do admin work and an Airbnb. The sales aren’t there, but the team is hesitating due to personal complications.

💡 HR Fix: Compassion counts — but clarity comes first. Separate performance from personal. Set expectations. Stick to process. Avoid expensive hesitations.

🎓 Coming Soon: Don’t Fk Up Your HR**

Rebranding my “30 Days to HR Mastery” course into something bolder and more me. Think: practical, no-fluff, and written for time-strapped business owners who’ve been winging HR for too long.

💥 Want to be one of the first 15 to test it free? DM me “COURSE” and I’ll send details.

📣 P.S.

If you’re juggling sickness absences, settlement agreements, or sales staff who’ve quietly stopped selling — let’s talk.

I’ve got checklists, playbooks, and (soon) a full training course that can help you sort it, fast.

Drop a comment or message. I’ve got you.

Emma

HR Goddess — culture fixer, crisis smoother, and part-time caffeine-powered course builder