Happy New Year 2026 from Consensus HR 🎉

Looking Ahead to a Proactive Year in HR, Training & Employment Law

As we welcome 2026, we would like to wish all our retained clients, partner organisations, and new businesses across Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire a very happy, healthy, and successful New Year.

The start of a new year is always an opportunity to reflect, reset, and plan ahead — and 2026 is shaping up to be another important year for employers when it comes to people management, compliance, training, and workplace wellbeing.

At Consensus HR, we look forward to continuing to support businesses of all sizes to take the pain out of managing people, remain legally compliant, and deal with people matters proactively rather than reactively.

What Employers Can Expect in 2026 – UK HR & Employment Law

From a UK employment law perspective, 2026 will continue the theme of greater employer responsibility, clarity, and accountability.

Key areas employers should remain focused on include:

🔹 Employment Law Reform & Consultation

The Government has continued to signal its intention to modernise employment practices. While not all proposals are yet in force, employers should expect ongoing consultation and phased implementation around workers’ rights, fairness, and workplace protections. Keeping contracts, handbooks, and policies up to date will remain essential.

🔹 Preventing Workplace Issues

The legal duty on employers to prevent issues before they arise continues to grow in importance — particularly around:

• Bullying and harassment

• Sexual harassment

• Equality, diversity and inclusion

• Mental health and wellbeing

Proactive policies, training, and early intervention remain key to reducing risk and tribunal exposure.

🔹 Managing Absence, Performance & Conduct

Employment Tribunal statistics continue to highlight the importance of fair process, clear documentation, and reasonable management decisions. Employers who follow correct procedures are far better placed to manage:

• Sickness absence

• Capability and performance issues

• Grievance and disciplinary matters

🔹 HR Systems, Records & Compliance

Accurate records, right-to-work checks, lawful data handling, and correct HR documentation remain fundamental requirements for all UK employers — regardless of business size or sector.

Training & Development in 2026 – Building Confident Managers & Teams

Effective Training & Development continues to play a vital role in creating compliant, productive, and well-managed workplaces.

In 2026, many employment issues can be prevented through ensuring managers and team leaders have the right skills, confidence, and knowledge to manage people effectively.

At Consensus HR, we provide a range of practical training and development courses, designed to support businesses at every stage. These include, but are not limited to:

• Management Development Programmes

• Delegation Skills Training

• Performance Management & Appraisals

• Managing Difficult Conversations

• Disciplinary & Grievance Training

• Absence Management

• Managing Mental Health in the Workplace

• Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Awareness

• Employment Law for Managers

Our training can be delivered face-to-face or virtually, and can be tailored to your business, sector, and level of management responsibility.

Supporting Our Retained Clients in 2026

For our retained clients, 2026 means continued access to:

• Ongoing HR and employment law advice

• Proactive compliance updates

• Contract and handbook reviews

• Practical people-management support

• Access to tailored training and development solutions

• Support for managers at every level

We remain committed to working in partnership with you to prevent people problems, not just react to them.

Welcoming New Clients Across Hertfordshire & Bedfordshire

If you are a business looking for local, professional HR and training support in Hertfordshire or Bedfordshire, we look forward to welcoming new clients in 2026.

Whether you employ one person or hundreds, having expert HR support and structured development in place can help protect your business, support your managers, and build stronger teams.

A Message from Matthew Chilcott – Owner, Consensus HR

“As we move into 2026, supporting businesses through strong HR practices and effective training remains central to what we do. Employment law continues to evolve, and well-trained managers play a crucial role in preventing issues and supporting teams. I would like to thank our retained clients for their continued trust and look forward to working with both existing and new clients throughout Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire in the year ahead.”
— Matthew Chilcott FCIPD, ACEL, BA (Hons)
Owner, Consensus HR

Let’s Make 2026 a Positive Year for Your Business

If you would like support with:

• HR compliance

• Employment law advice

• People management

• Training & development programmes

• Policies, contracts, or handbooks

• Ongoing retained HR support

We’re here to help. Just ask.

Stay Connected with Consensus HR

🌐 Website: https://www.consensushr.com
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/consensus-hr
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ConsensusHR
🐦 X (Twitter): https://x.com/ConsensusHR
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/consensushr

Here’s to a successful, compliant, and people-focused 2026. Happy New Year from all of us at Consensus HR! 🎊