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Tag: staff

How to keep on the right redundancy road
The 20‑Employee Rule: A Play‑by‑Play for Redundancy

Long ago the Trade Union Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992—commonly known as TULRA—threw a big red flag over any plans to scrap more than 20 jobs from the same place. If a business slashed two dozen or more roles, it had to sit down with the whole workforce (or the trade union / employee reps) and talk it out. Skipping that step handed the unlucky people a 12‑week pay ball.

Fast forward to today, and a fresh tribunal ruling has turned that rule on its head. When a shop brings a bunch of staff to the brink of redundancy, it doesn’t matter if they’re spread across a whole city or tucked into a single shop. The word “at one establishment” is now ignored, so the company must consult collectively before any cuts.

Why the change?
- TULRA aimed to mirror an EU Directive that didn’t mention “one establishment”, so UK employees got a less generous deal than their continental cousins.
- With the tribunal’s new reading, the protection is now on equal footing.
Checklist for the Redundancy Roller‑Coaster
- 100+ people out? Call the recognised union or employee reps for at least 45 days before the changes hit.
- 21–99 people? Make sure you get their input for a minimum of 30 days ahead.
- Below 20? Talk to each person on their own. Let them bring a union rep or colleague if they want.
- Tell the gov? Fill out the HR1 form whenever more than 20 staff are affected (just print it out, no link needed!).
- Try another route first. Make a game plan: can you keep the workforce in another role? Can you cut fewer jobs? Or maybe shift some responsibilities?
- Get the facts to the reps.
  - What’s the business reason for the cuts?
  - How many, and who?
  - Any bias checks? (No sexism, racism, age, disability, religion or sexual‑orientation filtering.)
  - Which training or redeployment options are on the table?
  - How will you calculate extra pay beyond statutory redundancy?
- Share the details. Either hand them over during a meeting or mail them (or fax, if you’re old‑school). For union reps, send a copy to their head office.
- Remember four weeks. Each employee gets a trial period to test any new role.
When you tick all these boxes, you’re not just doing the law—you’re showing you care enough to do it right.

Feeling the pressure? Need a hand?

Our team at Three‑DOM Solutions is ready to help you steer through the maze of redundancy regulations. Drop us a line or find us on Twitter. We’ll give you the inside scoop and keep your business—and your staff—safe.
2025-08-30
Managing your team through a small screen

More companies are switching to remote workflows due to COVID-19 and the added benefits it offers. But how can you manage a team through a small screen?

Modern problems require modern solutions. When the COVID-19 pandemic first hit, many companies (even tech ones) scrambled to set up a remote workflow so they could continue to work even whilst staff were unable to leave their homes.
There was a rush to set up platforms like Zoom to ensure that the entire team could communicate effectively and work from home. Many believed it to be a temporary change and that we’d be back in the office in a couple of weeks.
But that didn’t happen
Instead, most of us are still stuck working from home. While it initially seemed like a problem, more and more teams are starting to take notice of the benefits of remote workflows. Whether it’s the cost savings from no commuting or allowing your employees to be more comfortable in their work environment, there are a surprising number of benefits that we can expect from working remotely.
My company, Capital Business Media, has been operating on a hybrid remote working model since 2011. Staff only went into the office two or three days per week, and that was before COVID-19 even happened. Nowadays, we’ve switched to almost exclusively using a remote workflow and only going into the office when we absolutely need to have a face-to-face meeting. As a team that adopted this style of workflow early on, we’ve faced a lot of trial and error which was necessary to perfect our remote workflow. So hopefully here I can pass on some of the most important lessons we’ve learned and how you can also manage your team through just a small screen.

Keeping track of everything that happens

Since you’re working remotely, you won’t be able to see your staff or what they’re doing. As such, it’s vital that you keep track of everything when it comes to their work responsibilities and duties. For instance, I don’t keep track of their working hours as I am far more focused on the output, but if you bill your clients by the hour then make sure that you have the ability to do so. You should be asking your team for updates on what they’re doing, and you should have your own spreadsheets and dashboards that will help you lead your staff.
Keeping track of my staff helps me understand where they’re at, what tasks they’re on and what they should be doing next. Since you’re working remotely, information and communication become two of the most important factors that you absolutely need to keep an eye on.

Adopt a proactive approach to communicating with staff

Unlike working in an office, you don’t have to immediately respond when you work remotely. After all, your recipient could be in the toilet, walking the dog, stretching their legs or even making a drink. If you have an urgent message to tell them, you can’t just speak to them and catch their attention.
When you’re managing your team through a small screen, you have to remember that they can only interact with you through a screen too. This makes immediate conversations difficult to sustain and grabbing their attention becomes tough. As a result, you’ll need to switch to a more proactive approach to communicating with your staff. This involves:

Planning ahead with your team so everyone knows what they’re doing for the rest of the week as opposed to just a single day.
Responding to emails and messages even if you don’t have a full response. Just letting someone know you’ve received the message will help ensure there’s no assumptions or miscommunication.
Establish a shared message board or chat program where people can leave messages and communicate with each other even if they’re not online at the same time. The goal is to keep things orderly and to ensure everyone knows what they’re doing.
Communicate as much info as you can in a single message as long as it’s relevant to the conversation or your work. Don’t break up your responses or information into multiple parts. This will ensure that everyone reads the entire message instead of waiting for your response and potentially missing something.

Platforms like Zoom allow you to easily adopt a proactive approach to communicating with staff. Instead of just relying on emails, you’ll need to integrate instant messaging, group calls and video calls to ensure that everyone is one the same page. You also need to embrace the fact that your team might miss messages now and then, so packing as much information as you can into a single message will ensure that it is read in its entirety.
It’s difficult to adapt to the idea of managing your team through a screen. The most important concept to learn is that information becomes incredibly important. Understanding the status of your staff members and what they’re doing will be the key to unlocking your team’s remote potential and managing them with the least amount of stress.

2024-10-22
Iran’s Strike Damages Israel’s Premier Research Hub—Here’s What We Know About the Weizmann Institute
Whoops! — A Missile Strikes Israel’s Science Hub

Quick Snapshot
- Location: Rehovot, south of Tel Aviv
- Target: Weizmann Institute of Science
- Perpetrator: Iranian missile
- Why it matters: This research powerhouse fuels Israel’s cutting‑edge tech for the military.
What the Weizmann Institute Does

The Weizmann Institute is one of Israel’s most celebrated science centers. Think of it as the brain behind the nation’s AI breakthroughs, drone innovations, and a whole host of high‑tech weaponry. Because nothing says “future defense” like a lab that cooks up the next generation of smart machines.

Feeling the Shock

It’s a tough moment for the community—science and security collided in a way that’s hard to swallow. The institute’s survival will keep many eyes watching closely.

Looking Ahead

Now the real work starts: protecting the lab, understanding the tear, and ensuring that the research pipeline continues to power Israel’s tech advantages. Stay tuned for updates.

When a Missile Hits a Science Hub

Picture it: a calm, early‑morning sunrise over Rehovot, just south of Tel Aviv, when suddenly an Iranian missile decides to play a not‑so‑gentle game of “who’s more dramatic?” The target? The Weizmann Institute of Science, a place so serious that even the hairline cracks of its bricks are studied in physics.

The Weizmann Institute – A Brief Back‑Story
- Founded in 1934 as “Daniel Seif Research,” it’s the brain‑child of Chaim Weizmann, who later became Israel’s first president.
- Renamed in 1949 to honor its founder, it’s now a global heavyweight in scientific research.
- Home to around 2,500 researchers, staff, and grad students who battle equations in mathematics, smash molecules in chemistry, and run code in computer science.
- Boasts over 30 laboratories, a library that could rival a tiny university, and even campus‑style housing.
More Than Just Books and Lab Coats

While most people think of the Weizmann Institute as a prestigious university, it also doubles as a secret base for Israel’s national security. Think of it as the “nerdy sidekick” that turns theoretical breakthroughs into real‑world defense tech.

What Happens When the Threat Strikes

This isn’t your everyday construction‑site fumble. The missile targeted a place that’s at the intersection of pure science and national safety. It’s a chilling reminder that the world’s most serious research centers can become pictures in the crossfire.

Takeaway: Science and Security on Edge

In a world where a missile can land in a circle of bright chalk and bubbling beakers, the Weizmann Institute is a living testament to how science and security can be entwined—sometimes in ways that look like a plot twist in a blockbuster movie.

Technological support for the military

Weizmann Institute: Israel’s Secret Weapon Hub

The Weizmann Institute hums behind Israeli borders, turning science into a Swiss Army knife of warfare tech. Think of it as the brains behind cutting‑edge drones, AI that spots tactical patterns faster than a chess grandmaster, and electronic systems that jam enemies like a bad Wi‑Fi connection.

What’s on the Sleight‑of‑Hand Menu?
- AI‑Powered Data Crunching – Turning mountains of battlefield information into instant strategic insights.
- Drone Whispering – Programming autonomous flier tech that can deliver payloads with surgical precision.
- Satellite‑Free Navigation – Building GPS alternatives that stay locked even when satellites go out.
- Electronic Warfare Arsenal – Advanced tracking, jamming tools, and signal suppression that keep the enemy on their toes.
- Encryption Mastery – Codes so robust, they’d make a vault look like a paperclip.
- Field‑Ready Medicine – Cutting‑edge treatments for wounded soldiers, ensuring they’re back on the field faster than a superhero.
- Nuclear Energy Research – Exploring applications that could power the next generation of defense tech.
Why Tehran’s Got an Eye on Weizmann

From its weapon‑grade AI to its battlefield‑ready medical kits, the Institute sits on a treasure chest of innovation. The recent Israeli strikes on Iranian scientists have tipped the balance, making Tehran think their best bet is to hit the source of this technological magic. In other words, the Weizmann stands as a high‑profile target – a sweet spot on the ‘do‑not‑mess‑with’ list.

In short, the Weizmann Institute isn’t just a research center; it’s the hidden engine powering modern warfare, and that makes it a magnet for any nation that wants to stay ahead of the curve.

Tight Israeli surveillance

What the Media Kept from Us

Ever notice how the Israeli press stayed tight‑lipped about the chaos after the recent air‑defence mishap? Picture this: no images, no juicy details about the damage—just a vague blur of facts. That wasn’t an oversight; it was top‑level censorship come to life. The military kept the facts tightly wound, like a secret recipe, to shield any mention of injuries or nasty damage to critical sites.

Why the Silence Matters
- It’s a clear sign of how badly the country felt exposed after the defense punch‑in‑the‑arm.
- It underlines the fact that the Israeli infrastructure can be hit hard by pinpoint attacks.
- And, in a lifetime of military achievements, this was one of those moments that left the nation feeling like a big shoulder‑shrug.
A Quick Takeaway

In short, the hush‑hush around the damage is a double‑edge sword: protecting the truth while spotlighting how vulnerable we can be when things go sideways.

Paramedics Rush Injured Woman to Safety After Iran‑Fired Rocket Strikes Tel Aviv

On the evening of Friday, 13 June 2025, a rocket launched from Iran slammed into a building in Tel Aviv. Paramedics responded quickly, evacuating an injured woman from the scene with a steady mix of courage and calm.

What Happened?
- Rocket fired by Iran
- Building in Tel Aviv impacted
- One woman injured
- Paramedics evacuated her swiftly
Why This Matters

The incident highlights ongoing tensions in the region and raises questions about international safety protocols during such attacks.

About the Institute: Government‑Backed and Globally Supported

The institute receives significant funding from the Israeli government and garners considerable support from international organizations. This combination boosts its capacity to recruit leading scientists and spearhead projects that advance both science and national security.

Key Features
- Government funding ensures stable infrastructure.
- International grants bring global expertise.
- Collaborations foster cross‑border research.
- Potential diplomatic tensions if sensitive facilities are found to be targeted.
By acting as a hub for international science, the institute not only drives innovation but also plays a pivotal role in navigating the delicate balance between scientific collaboration and geopolitical sensitivities.
2022-03-30