Welcome to the September edition of our HR Newsletter.
As we move into autumn, now is a good time to review not only your compliance obligations but also how you support and engage your people. This month, we are looking at preparations for World Mental Health Day, an important reminder about holiday pay record-keeping requirements, and why every organisation should be considering the role of AI in the workplace.
World Mental Health Day 2026: Are You Ready to Support Your People?
World Mental Health Day takes place on 10th October and provides an excellent opportunity for employers to shine a spotlight on employee wellbeing. Whilst awareness days can be a useful catalyst for conversations, the greatest impact comes from embedding wellbeing into everyday workplace culture rather than treating it as a once-a-year initiative.
Mental health remains one of the leading causes of workplace absence and can affect productivity, engagement and retention. Managers are often the first to notice when someone may be struggling, so ensuring they feel confident in having supportive conversations is key. Equally important is making sure employees know what support is available to them, whether that's an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders, flexible working arrangements or simply trusted points of contact within the business.
As October approaches, consider whether there are opportunities to promote wellbeing resources, encourage open conversations, or run a wellbeing-focused activity. Even small initiatives can help reinforce the message that employee wellbeing is valued and that support is available when needed.
Holiday Pay Records: Are You Keeping Enough Information?
Many employers have focused on getting holiday pay calculations right over recent years, but there is now an increased emphasis on demonstrating compliance through accurate record keeping.
Employers should ensure they maintain clear records of annual leave entitlement, leave taken, holiday carried forward and holiday pay calculations. This is particularly important for employees with irregular hours, variable pay or more complex working arrangements where holiday pay calculations can be less straightforward.
Good record keeping not only helps organisations meet their legal obligations but can also prove invaluable if queries or disputes arise in the future. Businesses should take some time to review their existing systems and processes to ensure the information being retained is accurate, accessible and sufficiently detailed.
For many organisations, this may be a timely reminder to check whether holiday records are being stored consistently and whether managers understand their responsibilities for recording leave accurately.
AI in the Workplace: Time for a Policy?
Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming part of everyday working life. Employees are increasingly using AI tools to draft emails, create reports, analyse information and support administrative tasks. Whilst these technologies offer significant opportunities to improve efficiency, they also present new risks that employers should not overlook.
Without clear guidance, employees may inadvertently upload confidential or commercially sensitive information into public AI platforms, creating potential data protection and confidentiality concerns. There is also growing discussion around the use of AI in recruitment, performance management and workplace decision making, all of which require appropriate human oversight.
Many organisations have already introduced policies setting out how AI may be used within the workplace, what information can and cannot be shared with AI systems, and where managerial approval may be required. If your organisation has not yet considered its approach, now may be the right time to start the conversation.
A sensible AI policy does not need to be restrictive. Instead, it should provide employees with confidence to use these tools appropriately whilst helping the organisation manage the associated risks.
Need Support?
If you would like advice on wellbeing initiatives, reviewing your holiday management processes, or developing an AI policy for your business, please get in touch with The HR Team For Practical, people-focused HR support for employers
