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What it actually comes down to is treating people in a "human" way and fairly.

For me it is about getting the person to put themselves in the other persons shoes and think how they would feel in any given situation.

The particular conversations touched on a couple of interrelated areas from an employee relations point of view.

One is actually having documented policies and procedures that are representative of the business culture and how the business operates, now and with the adaptability to deal with the future.

The internet nowadays makes it easily accessible for all, to a lot if information and documents, however if you chose to use policies and documents for your business from the internet you need to know and understand what is contained within them and ensure what is said is representative of your business.  Otherwise you may inadvertently be signing up and agreeing to something you cannot fulfill as a business.

Secondly, whatever policies and procedures you then chose to have in place you must adhere to and make your employees aware otherwise any policy is not worth the paper it is written on.  

These words of caution apply to employee contracts and handbooks too.

In a recent CIPD report dated 17th March, "To gig or not to gig? Stories from the modern economy" two of many recommendations were:

1. Increase resources available to Acas so that it can proactively work with organisations to improve their working practices.
2. Support the development of guidance on atypical working, setting out principles of good work and responsible employment.

For me these two particular recommendations are key. The world of work is very different to 20 years ago and will be very different, I feel in another five years, let alone 20!

As a business it is important to stay abreast and ahead of these changes and ensure that your processes and procedures, your working practices are appropriate, responsible and fair. 

Realise where your strengths and knowledge as a business lie;

Aspire to ensure that as a business you are responsible; and 

Do enlist the help of the many specialists out there to ensure as an employer you are providing good working practices.