Welcome to another episode of Solve and ThrivePam is joined by Jane Southall, an experienced employment law consultant, tribunal representative, and founder of Searchlight Employment Law Solutions. Jane brings a wealth of frontline expertise, having represented both employers and employees in employment tribunals across the UK. A barrister by training, Jane currently advises, supports, and guides companies through the labyrinth of employment law and dispute resolution.Jane walks us through her top five tips for anyone facing an employment tribunal. From considering reasonable adjustments for witnesses and understanding the importance of accessibility and support, through to the nitty-gritty of timely arrivals, statement preparation, and professional courtroom conduct, Jane’s advice is both reassuring and refreshingly down-to-earth.Key points discussed:* Reasonable Adjustments: Why it’s crucial to anticipate and request any necessary medical or neurodiversity-related accommodations for yourself and your witnesses well before tribunal day. Making these adjustments can significantly improve the quality and fairness of evidence presented, and helps ensure everyone can participate fully.* Preparing for a Stressful Environment: Jane and Pam discuss the natural stress involved in attending tribunals and how small steps—such as planning your journey and arriving early—can help mitigate anxiety for you and your witnesses.* Timeliness Matters: Jane explains the importance of punctuality, including allowing extra time for heightened security and body scans now standard in employment tribunals, and shares why being late can undermine your position before you’ve even entered the room.* Know Your Statement: Practical tips on how to prepare, review, and amend your witness statement, what to expect in terms of document exchange, and understanding the key legal issues determined in preliminary hearings.* Cross-Examination Tips: Jane shares wisdom on staying calm and professional, not taking questions or cross-examination personally, and how to handle emotionally charged situations—including the importance of not reacting to untruths or provocations from the opposing side.* Professional Conduct: The art of maintaining composure throughout, trusting the judicial process, and the usefulness of simple strategies (like passing post-it notes to your representative) to keep communication smooth and discreet during tense moments.Throughout, Pam and Jane remind us that while the tribunal process can feel intimidating, employers who manage fairly and proactively, keeping good documentation and genuinely supporting employees, have the best chance of both avoiding tribunals and presenting a strong defence if one becomes necessary.Useful Resources MentionedSearchlight Employment Law SolutionsJane Southall’s consultancy, specialising in employment law advice, tribunal preparation, and support.Website: searchlightels.ukEmail: jane.southall@searchlightels.ukPam Molyneux – PM Business Support ServicesWebsite: pmbusinesssupportservices.co.ukDisclaimer: The Solve & Thrive podcast is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. We share practical strategies and lived experiences to help managers navigate challenging workplace situations, but you should always seek appropriate professional or legal guidance specific to your circumstances. As a manager, business owner, or HR professional, you are the expert on the unique context of the situation —so please do right by the individual circumstances. Our content and our guests contribution is intended as supportive tips and suggestions, not absolute solutions, and may not apply in every situation. Any legal or policy references discussed are accurate as of the date of recording and may not reflect current updates.

Welcome to another episode of Solve and Thrive

In today’s episode, Pam turns her attention to a vital yet often overlooked topic: supporting carers in the workplace. As thousands of people across the UK juggle employment with caring for loved ones, it’s never been more important for managers to understand how they can make a real difference.

Joining Pam is Charlie Beswick, an award-winning trainer, speaker, and passionate ally for carers. Charlie is both a parent carer and a leader in the SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disability) community, having founded not-for-profit and consultancy organisations dedicated to supporting parents and carers through challenging circumstances. Her lived experience as a carer to her son Harry, who has complex medical and developmental needs, uniquely positions Charlie to offer authentic, practical wisdom for leaders looking to foster inclusion and well-being at work.

In this episode, Pam and Charlie dive into the realities carers face day-to-day, navigating crisis moments, the emotional weight of responsibility, and the challenges of balancing work commitments. Charlie shares her journey from denial and grief to community leader, and highlights how self-care is essential for carers as well as those leading them.

Charlie presents her top five practical tips for managers seeking to support carers among their staff. She reveals why many employees with caring responsibilities may not even identify as “carers,” and explores the importance of approaching staff absences with curiosity and empathy, rather than judgement. Pam and Charlie discuss the role of boundaries—both in demonstrating respectful leadership and in setting standards for healthier communications and expectations within teams.

From fostering an environment of trust and consistent follow-through, to the simple but meaningful act of remembering personal details about staff, this episode is filled with actionable ways for leaders to create an inclusive, psychologically safe culture. The conversation also extends beyond formal policies, encouraging managers to tap into their own personal circles and seek understanding, so they can truly see and support those balancing caring and work.

Whether you’re a manager, HR professional, or anyone keen on supporting carers, Charlie’s tips and heartfelt perspective offer a brilliant roadmap for making workplaces more compassionate, productive, and loyal.

Contact Information & Useful Resources

Connect with Charlie Beswick

LinkedIn: Charlie Beswick

Email: charlie@ouralteredlife.com

For organisational support and resources: www.ouralteredlife.com

For individual emotional wellbeing support: www.ouralteredlives.org

Key Takeaways & Resources Mentioned

• Carers UK: A national charity supporting unpaid carers carersuk.org
• Our Altered Life: Training, resources, and consultancy to support carers in the workplace and beyond.
• Our Altered Lives: Not-for-profit emotional support for parents at the point of diagnosis and beyond.
• ACAS Guidance: Best practice in supporting carers at work acas.org.uk
• CIPD: Resources on creating inclusive workplaces for carers cipd.co.uk

Disclaimer:

The Solve & Thrive podcast is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. We share practical strategies and lived experiences to help managers navigate challenging workplace situations, but you should always seek appropriate professional or legal guidance specific to your circumstances. As a manager, business owner, or HR professional, you are the expert on the unique context of the situation —so please do right by the individual circumstances. Our content and our guests contribution is intended as supportive tips and suggestions, not absolute solutions, and may not apply in every situation. Any legal or policy references discussed are accurate as of the date of recording and may not reflect current updates.

In today’s episode, Pam explores the vital question: “How can managers lead change without losing their team?” In a time where change is a constant in every industry, the way managers approach transitions can mean the difference between thriving teams and burned-out employees.

Pam is joined by the effervescent Michelle Thomas, founder of The Happy Business Club and self-styled happiness expert. Michelle brings her signature blend of humour, realism, and actionable advice, championing the belief that joy and well-being should be at the core of any successful business.

Michelle believes that too often, business wellbeing is reduced to short-term ‘sticking plaster’ fixes when what’s needed are sustainable, fun, and practical tools to build true resilience. Enter her “hacktices”, unique practices developed to help teams not just survive change but bounce back stronger, together.

Throughout the episode, Pam and Michelle cover:

• Why “well-being” isn’t just about physical or mental health, but encompasses relational, fiscal, environmental, and purpose-driven wellbeing.
• The pitfalls of easy fixes, and why resilience needs daily practice, not just crisis management
• The art of doing a “life audit” to recognise the overlooked skills and resources already within your team
• Michelle’s “Happy Cha Cha Cha” for overcoming overwhelm—transforming big goals into manageable, energising steps
• The magic of boundary-setting (especially for people-pleasers) and how to prioritise without guilt
• Tiny changes you can make to boost personal and team energy, focusing on incremental improvement (“better than nothing, better than usual, better than ever”)
• Building self-belief with regular reminders of “proof of awesomeness”, and why celebration and positive feedback matter.
• Practical strategies for managers to foster a happy, engaged, and self-sustaining workforce
• How to apply these techniques to your unique team dynamics, whether you manage a large staff or a small, close-knit group

Michelle and Pam bring honest, practical insights laced with laughter, stories, and real-world experience. Whether you’re a manager, team member, or business owner, there’s something here to help you uplift your culture, lead change confidently, and keep your people happy and motivated.

Listen in for a fresh perspective on making change feel less like a burden and more like an opportunity—one joyful, practical step at a time.

Useful Resources Mentioned

Michelle Thomas – The Happy Business Club

Happiness-centred business support, workshops, and a regular magazine for small business owners who care about wellbeing and culture.

Website: www.thehappybusinessclub.co.uk

Instagram: @thehappybusinessclub

Facebook: @TheHappyBusinessClub

Happiness and Resilience Tools

• Michelle’s “Life Audit” and “Happy Cha Cha Cha” practices – available through workshops and resources at The Happy Business Club
• Follow Michelle on her social channels for regular tips and community support

Pam Molyneux – PM Business Support Services

Supporting leaders to thrive through change.

Website: https://www.pmbusinesssupportservices.co.uk/

From Team Member To Manager Guide: https://pmbusinesssupportservices.co.uk/freebies

Disclaimer:

The Solve & Thrive podcast is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. We share practical strategies and lived experiences to help managers navigate challenging workplace situations, but you should always seek appropriate professional or legal guidance specific to your circumstances. As a manager, business owner, or HR professional, you are the expert on the unique context of the situation —so please do right by the individual circumstances. Our content and our guests contribution is intended as supportive tips and suggestions, not absolute solutions, and may not apply in every situation. Any legal or policy references discussed are accurate as of the date of recording and may not reflect current updates.