MG Warren Solutions Ltd

I love what I do……

What an absolute privilege it was to be invited today to join Orla Donoghue & Marnel Stafford on a live panel discussion about my favourite subject: Solo Parenting.

Thank you for having me.

Please connect with Orla & Marney to find out more about their services to individuals and employers. Orla’s report is very thought provoking, especially for employers.

Reflecting on my 30yr solo parent journey: I wish I’d had access to the practical financial advice Marnel offers. But, still very grateful for the wonderful and supportive managers and colleagues I’ve worked with over the years.

I’d love to chat with you, especially if you would like to discuss anything heard today. Feel free to send me a DM.

Have a lovely day 😊

LinkedIn Login, Sign in | LinkedIn Login to LinkedIn to keep in touch with people you know, share ideas, and build your career.

So excited to be officially launching my People (HR) Business Partnering packages to Faith based organisations.

I’m passionate to offer my professional experience and knowledge to help all Employers, Leaders, Managers, Charities and Churches to be confident, ensure you have what you need, that you are ready and compliant with the Employment Rights Act 2025, at affordable prices.

Action is needed now to ensure you’re ready for the major changes, still to come, in January 2027.

If you’re not sure what you need, please book a free consultation via: https://calendly.com/mariawarren/15-minute-consultation?back=1&month=2023-08.

Self development……..

How do you invest in yourself? Do you make time for your own growth and confidence building?

Set some time aside and come join one of my workshops next week:

Wednesday 13 May
FREE Are you looking after yourself? Wellbeing workshop to encourage, help you self reflect and make changes for a better tomorrow.

£25 Success profiles: Explains the Civil Service recruitment framework, increases confidence and how to prepare for job application and interview. Builds skills that transfer to any employers recruitment process.

Thursday 14 May
£45 Conflict Management: Increases self awareness, the importance of nipping things in the bud and tools to help you develop skills when having awkward or difficult conversations, and reduce the risk of it becoming conflict.

Be lovely to see you there, see Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/114623268381?aff=ebdsshios.

Anyone interested in a career with HMRC?

After a 30yr civil service career myself, I highly recommend it. They offer fantastic training, career paths and flexible working polices.

I’m fully trained in the Civil Service ‘Success Profiles’ framework that’s used in the recruitment process.

I run workshops to help you navigate application, assessment and interview. See my Eventbrite page for more details: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/114623268381?aff=ebdsshios.

Do you enjoy analysing information, following evidence and making sound decisions?

We’re recruiting for a role where you’ll play a vital part in tackling non‑compliance, protecting public funds and helping maintain trust in the tax system.

If you’re curious, resilient and motivated by work with real impact, find out more and apply today 👇
https://www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/jobs.cgi?jcode=1994679

I love what I do……

I gained a lovely new client recently, completed a HR audit, provided an updated and legally compliant employee handbook.

Amongst other things, we discussed Day 1 sick pay rights. I shared my perspective:

For my SME employer who can only afford Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), there maybe an increase in short term absence, because individuals are able to cope with a lower day rate of pay for a day or two.

The previous no sickness payment for days 1-3, may have prevented employees taking time off when ill, which led to bringing and spreading their germs around the office.

It’s never about the sickness being genuine or not. We are all adults and if you’re not well enough to go to work, you stay home to rest and recuperate.

For employers able to offer some contractual sick pay, they are more likely to see an increase in sick absence rates - It’s humans being human!

For me, it’s not just about the rate of sick pay. It’s also about ‘How’ you manage sick absence and your attendance management suite of policies. Do you use them strategically? By that I mean,

build the right SME fit HR policies and pay structure
+
build the right culture, in a transparent and holistic way,
=
prevent avoidable/increased sick pay bills and improve your teams wellbeing.

I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Or if you’d like to discuss your thoughts/concerns, feel free to send me a DM or book a time that’s convenient for you: https://calendly.com/mariawarren/15-minute-consultation?back=1&month=2023-08.

Have a lovely day 😊

I love what I do….

What an absolute pleasure, this week I was invited as guest speaker for a corporate clients solo parents network.

I shared a little about my solo parent journey, the various levels of grief you go through, that even the happy things can lead to tears of loss. I shared my top tips and the books that have helped me on my journey. And most of all, encouraged them to create space and to love themselves enough, to be on their priority list.

With my HR hat on, we discussed:
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) suite of support available - I encouraged all to tap into the 24/7 helpline, legal/financial advice and the 6x 121 free counselling sessions
- Flexible working and family friendly policies - I encouraged individuals to mix and match them. When preparing a flexible working request, I encouraged them to discuss their family situation and consider all options available to help navigate work and solo parenting pressures.
- Signposted to my free lunch and learn workshops, bookable via Eventbrite: https://lnkd.in/eDve8kvX

I loved it and hope that it was helpful.

To all DEI colleagues, I’d love to be invited to your solo parent network/community events.
As a HR professional and with lived solo parent experience, I’m able to bring multiple perspectives to the conversation. With the ultimate goal being: to find a win:win (meeting business needs and retain happy employees).

If you’d like to discuss further, I’d love to connect and have a discovery call.

To ChatGPT or not to ChatGPT…….

Are you worried clients will use ChatGPT instead of your services?

My personal perspective: To be honest I struggle with the concept of ChatGPT doing my work for me. However, as a HR professional and coach I’m seeing more and more clients using it to help with HR matters.

As with any computer programme, it’s only as good as the information you put in it. ChatGPT relies on you giving it the right information, prompts and questions.

I’ll not lie, I’ve been impressed with the policies, grievance letters and employment contract templates ChatGPT has created my clients. However, ChatGPT misses the Human emotional processing, not fully understanding the legal process in the context of the situation and doesn’t help the individual balance their emotions, which often drives their behaviour, prompts and questions.

So, when asked if I’m worried if ChatGPT will rob me of work or clients, my response is: I’m sure it may take some bits away but not all, because computer programmes can’t replace the human interaction and emotional intelligence that a conversation and over 30yrs of lived experience offers my clients. However, ChatGPT does offer a fab first draft.

My concern is: those that solely rely on ChatGPT, with no human advice, are likely to miss legally required steps in the process, which will cause individuals more problems and obstacles to overcome and/or very expensive mistakes

If any of my posts resonate with you and you’d like to chat your situation through. book a free call:

15minute Consultation - Maria Warren HelloThank you for booking time with me.I look forward to meeting you and to discuss how I can support you.SincerelyMaria Warren, CMCIPDDirector and HR Business Partner

A personal post……

As a widowed solo parent it’s been hard and very lonely at times, the reality of the responsibility can feel overwhelming.

But, I feel very blessed to have raised my daughter and over the years had the privilege of having others in our world.

Now, I can sit back and watch my girls be confident, courageous and successful young women who are lovely inside and out. I’m so proud of the independant adults I dreamed they would be, with a world of opportunities available to them.

But, of course, not forgetting to have fun along the way, as we return from a fab couple of weeks of being Disney World adults! 🥰. It was tough, but someone had to do it! 😝

Happy International Women’s day….

I wouldn’t necessarily call myself a feminist, however I do appreciate the movement and all the women that stood up, sacrificed and made change happen, so that I could be a confident independent women.

Having seen this clip, it makes me more appreciative of all the women in my life, past and present. For their love, encouragement and support throughout my life, especially as a widowed solo parent!

I’m also so grateful for the wonderful men that I’ve had in my life, that have encouraged and affirmed me as a women.

Thank you to all of the amazing women in my life, I love and appreciate you all 😘

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