As Featured In
Press & Media Commentary
Kelly Smallcombe, Meliorem HR Consultancy founder, provides regular commentary on employment law, the UK labour market, procurement policy and workforce strategy for national and trade press.
“People are now the most reversible line in the budget. That’s a bad place for the labour market to concentrate its slack.”
Where Kelly’s Been Quoted
Featured as the HR expert throughout the documentary, unpacking why employers dismiss staff over adult content platforms, the tension between personal autonomy and brand risk, and how secondary employment clauses hold up in practice.
“Transforms HR from a back-office support function into a front-line commercial imperative.”
On the doubling of Social Value weighting to 20% under the Government’s procurement overhaul, and why generic HR policy is now a bid risk rather than a back office cost.
“People are now the most reversible line in the budget.”
On why unfair dismissal changes and rising employer costs are making SMEs treat headcount as the easiest thing in the business to cut.
“Don’t wait for the ‘right’ role to appear and assume more will follow.”
On practical advice for jobseekers navigating a market where employers are chasing “purple unicorns” rather than hiring at pace.
“Day one rights plus AI-armed claimants is a combustible mix.”
On the surge in speculative AI-drafted tribunal claims, and why small employers without legal budgets are most exposed as genuine cases get lost in the volume.
“Open a formal, supportive dialogue the moment menopause is mentioned.”
On what the ruling signals for employers managing flexible working requests tied to menopause symptoms, and why waiting for a formal grievance is already too late.
“A degree shouldn’t be the automatic default.”
On why graduate hiring has collapsed, and the case for apprenticeships as a lower-risk route for employers and young people alike.
“That caution was foreseeable and avoidable.”
On why small businesses are pulling back on hiring first, and what that signals for the wider jobs market.
Need comment on an HR, employment law or labour market story?
Kelly is available for press commentary on employment law, tribunal cases, UK labour market data, procurement policy and workforce strategy for defence and regulated sectors.