Send us a text

In this episode of Buzzing About HR, I am diving into one of those moments every HR person and business owner knows too well. A client is pushing for speed, your gut is shouting no, and you are stuck trying to keep the work without dropping your standards. We have all been there.

I walk you through a simple way to stay calm, respond confidently and keep things legal without blowing up the relationship. You will hear wording you can use straight away, practical alternatives that take the heat out of the situation and how to protect yourself long before these requests even land in your inbox.

We start with the basics. What the Equality Act 2010 really means when you are under pressure. Why neutral rules can still land you in trouble. And why a client saying they want a certain type of person is never going to stand up in recruitment.

Then we get into the messy real world stuff.

No headscarves on reception? Offer a fair, branded dress code.

Requests for unpaid trial days? Keep it legal with a short paid trial or a simple skills task.

Feedback like not the right vibe? Bring it back to skills and behaviours.

Night time demands for instant replies? Set up a paid on call rota or promise a next day response.

Need checks done quickly? Use digital verification with a conditional start.

None of this is about being awkward. It is about being fair, protecting your business and showing your standards through your actions. It matters even more during Black History Month when people are watching what organisations actually do.

Fairness will not slow you down. It reduces risk, builds trust and makes hiring cleaner and easier. Hold your line, offer options where you can and only walk away if you have to.

If you are dealing with a tricky client request or you want to know how strong your processes are, book a free HR Health Check and let us get you sorted.

Subscribe, share this with your team and leave a review with the next scenario you want me to explore. Let us keep the conversation honest, practical and human. 🐝

Thank you for tuning in to Buzzing About HR with Kate Underwood!
If you enjoyed today’s episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review—your feedback helps us grow and reach more people like you.

Have questions or need HR advice? Reach out to Kate Underwood HR & Training at www.kateunderwoodhr.co.uk, email us on [email protected] or follow us on social media for more tips, resources, and updates.

Until next time, keep buzzing and take care of your people!