This course equips non-HR managers with the essential knowledge and practical skills to handle people-related challenges confidently and lawfully within the UK workplace. Delegates will gain a clear understanding of employment law, the ACAS Code of Practice, and the Equality Act 2010, enabling them to distinguish between conduct, capability, and performance issues and respond appropriately. They will learn to conduct fair investigations, manage difficult conversations using the ‘Courageous Conversation’ framework, and draft legally sound documentation such as warning letters and improvement plans. By developing self-awareness and bias management techniques, participants will be better prepared to make fair, consistent decisions that protect both employees and the organisation.
Are you a manager who dreads tough conversations?
What if you could handle discipline, grievance and capability issues with confidence — fairly, legally, and without sleepless nights?
This two-day course gives non-HR managers the practical skills to navigate employment law, distinguish conduct from capability, and run fair investigations using the Ay Kass Code. You’ll learn how to hold courageous conversations that protect your team and your organisation.
Gain real-world tools you can use immediately — whether you’re leading a team in retail, manufacturing, tech or the public sector.
Available as an open course, closed group session, or one-to-one coaching. Counts towards twelve CPD hours.
To find out more, contact us at lets talk at e q v dot co dot uk.
Counts towards 12 CPD Hours2 Days9:00 - 5:00 for GroupsOpen Public & Closed Group
Please reflect on one or more of the questions below and come prepared to discuss your responses during the session.
Self-Assessment: On a scale of 1–10, how would you rate your current skill level in this subject? What factors influenced your rating?
Development Focus: Identify one specific behaviour, skill, or capability you would like to improve or develop further.
Relevant Examples: If possible, bring one or two relevant examples or scenarios from your experience that you would be willing to share with the group.
What You Will Learn
Navigate organisational employment policies and the legal framework with confidence
Distinguish clearly between conduct, capability, and performance issues
Apply the ACAS Code of Practice to disciplinary and grievance procedures
Execute a fair and robust investigation process including witness interviewing
Apply the Equality Act 2010 to identify and make reasonable adjustments
Execute the 'Courageous Conversation' 7-point plan in high-pressure scenarios
Draft clear, legally robust warning letters and capability improvement plans
Utilise self-awareness tools to manage personal bias and emotional reactions
Your Post-Course Challenge
Within 30 days, apply the 7-Point Plan to at least one difficult conversation.
Review your current team's performance logs to ensure evidence is being recorded.
Reflect on one communication block you identified and commit to changing it.
Counts Towards 12 CPD Hours
This course contributes 12 hours of Continuing Professional Development. Delegates can log these hours as evidence of structured learning for professional bodies and employers.
This course is designed for managers and team leaders who find themselves responsible for people management but lack formal HR training. It provides the essential knowledge and practical tools needed to handle everyday employment issues with confidence and compliance.
This course is ideal for:
Line managers who need to address performance or conduct issues within their teams
Supervisors stepping into greater responsibility for employee relations
Project managers overseeing staff and needing to manage people-related risks
Operations managers ensuring fair and consistent application of workplace policies
Department heads seeking to reduce legal risk in people management decisions
Newly promoted managers transitioning from technical roles to people leadership
No prior experience needed
No prior HR experience or training is required to benefit from this course. It is specifically tailored for non-HR professionals, making complex employment law and procedures accessible and applicable to real-world management situations.
What you will take away
You will leave with increased confidence in handling difficult conversations, a clear understanding of your legal responsibilities, and practical skills to manage disciplinary, grievance, and capability issues fairly and effectively — helping you support your team while minimising organisational risk.
For Groups & Teams
We can deliver this training session in several ways to suit your organisation’s needs:
Open Public Course
Join delegates from other organisations on a scheduled date
Closed Group
Exclusively for your team, using your real scenarios
In Person
Face-to-face at your premises or a venue of your choice
Virtual
Live, interactive online delivery via Teams or Zoom
One-to-One Coaching
Personalised sessions tailored entirely to you
Have two or more people to train?
You may want to consider a closed group course. Benefits include:
Cost effective for teams
Choose a date to suit you
Customise content and timings
No minimum delegate numbers
Uses your real-world scenarios
Builds shared language in your team
Contact us on [email protected] to discuss specific dates and delivery requirements.
How Our Tutor-Led Courses Are Delivered
Before the day
Delegates are given pre-work to complete before attending. This ensures everyone arrives with relevant context and real scenarios from their own experience, so learning is immediately relevant and actionable from the first minute.
On the day
Our sessions are participative and highly interactive. We don’t do “death by PowerPoint” — instead, the day includes a variety of engaging activities throughout:
Real-world casework using your scenarios
Practical hands-on exercises
Real Play (not role play) simulations
Peer learning and group discussion
Case studies and scenario work
Facilitated discussion and structured reflection
What you leave with
Participants leave with:
Practical tools — frameworks and models you can use straight away
Clear action plans — specific next steps tailored to your role
Greater confidence — built through intensive, realistic practice
Skills you can apply immediately — not theory, but techniques tested during the day
After the day
Post-session measurements and a 30-day challenge ensure that learning is embedded and behaviour change is sustained.
Key Features
Course Duration is 2 Days
Engaging tutor led event
Comprehensive course materials
Certificates of attendance
Access to Customer Portal (course bookers)
Course Guarantee
Priced per delegate for open public course
£898.00 Plus VAT
Can’t see a suitable date? Please request a date here
Payment available via all major credit cards or Invoice. All options available during the online booking process.
