WEEKLY HR INSIGHT · TUESDAY 20 OCTOBER 2026 We Promoted Our Best Employee… But Did We Create a Good Manager?Why promoting employees without management training could be costing your business more than you realise.
Many businesses promote their best-performing employee into a management position. After all, they know the job, understand the business and consistently deliver excellent results. But being brilliant at your job does not automatically mean you know how to manage people. At Consensus HR, we regularly see businesses facing employee relations issues, poor performance, grievances and unnecessary staff turnover because managers have never received proper management training. Are we giving our managers the skills they need to succeed?
The hidden cost of an untrained managerAn employee might be an excellent salesperson, engineer, administrator or technician. However, managing a team requires a different set of skills. - Holding difficult conversations and addressing poor performance
- Managing sickness absence and return-to-work support
- Conducting fair disciplinary and grievance investigations
- Understanding discrimination, harassment and reasonable adjustments
- Setting SMART objectives and giving constructive feedback
- Managing probationary periods and documenting concerns
When these responsibilities are handled incorrectly, the consequences can include reduced productivity, employee dissatisfaction, increased absence and potential Employment Tribunal claims.
What does UK employment law say?There is no general legal requirement for every manager to hold a formal management qualification. However, employers remain responsible for complying with their employment law obligations. Under the Equality Act 2010, employers can be legally responsible for discriminatory actions carried out by employees in the course of employment. Appropriate preventative measures, including effective training, can be important. The Acas Code of Practice sets out important standards for handling disciplinary and grievance matters fairly. Employers also have a proactive legal duty to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment at work. Management training is not simply a development opportunity. It is an important part of managing legal and commercial risk.
Employment Law Update – Why management training matters even more in 2027The Employment Rights Act 2025 introduces significant changes to employment protection. From January 2027, the qualifying period for ordinary unfair dismissal protection is scheduled to reduce from two years to six months. This makes effective probation management, early performance conversations and proper documentation particularly important. Employers should ensure managers understand how to assess new employees fairly, provide support, hold regular probation reviews and address concerns promptly. Read the Government’s Employment Rights Act implementation guidance.
Five ways to develop better managers- Provide practical management training. Cover employment law basics, communication, performance management and difficult conversations.
- Introduce structured probation reviews. Give new employees feedback and support throughout probation.
- Set clear SMART objectives. Agree what successful performance looks like.
- Encourage regular one-to-one meetings. Do not leave important conversations until annual appraisals.
- Provide ongoing HR support. Managers should know when to seek professional advice.
Comment from Matthew Chilcott – Owner, Consensus HR“Throughout my career, I have seen many businesses promote their best operational employee into a management position without giving them the training or support they need. I often refer to this as the ‘Key Syndrome’ – someone is given the keys, a new job title and additional responsibility, but very little guidance on how to manage people. Managing people is a skill in its own right. Employers need to invest in developing their managers, particularly when it comes to performance, communication and Employment Law. At Consensus HR, we believe effective management training is one of the best investments a business can make. Good managers help create good businesses.” Matthew Chilcott FCIPD, ACEL
Owner – Consensus HR Useful HR and Employment Law links
How Consensus HR can helpAt Consensus HR, we provide practical management development training for businesses throughout Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire. Our training can cover performance management, recruitment interviewing, communication skills, equality and dignity at work, appraisals, delegation and handling difficult employee conversations. We also provide retained and ad-hoc HR and Employment Law support, helping employers take the pain out of managing people. Is your business promoting good employees but failing to develop good managers? Contact Consensus HR today to discuss how we can help.
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