The Gift & The Gab: Navigating Compliance, Legislation and Member Support

 The very first ‘The Gift & The Gab’ session brought together members of The Giftware Association and experts from Quest to unpack one of the most pressing topics – Compliance.

The Gift and The Gab is The GA’s new monthly drop-in coffee morning sessions open to all members, allowing them an informal space to discuss any business pain points. Each week has a different topic, but the digital floor is open for any conversation. 

From legislative updates to practical HR and health & safety support, the session offered a valuable reminder that staying compliant doesn’t have to be overwhelming, especially when the right support is built into GA membership.

Meet the Team Behind the Support

The session opened with introductions from The Giftware Association team, including Managing Director Gemma Sault, alongside Sequoia Horton (Membership Engagement), Greta Baker (Marketing & PR), and Chris Workman (Operations). Together, they highlighted their ongoing commitment to supporting members not just through events and visibility, but through practical, day-to-day business resources.

Joining them was Myles Day, Head of Business Development at Quest, who walked members through the extensive support services available.

Unlocking the Power of Quest Membership

A key focus of the session was ensuring members fully understand, and use, the tools available to them.

Quest provides access to five unlimited advice lines, covering:

 - HR
 - Health & Safety
 - Legal
 - Tax
 - VAT

These services are designed for management-level queries and offer confidential, expert guidance when it’s needed most. Alongside this, members can tap into extensive document libraries, including 400+ HR templates, 200+ health & safety resources and 100+ legal documents

From handling disciplinary processes to ensuring GDPR compliance, these ready-to-use resources can save both time and risk.

One of the standout services discussed was the compliance review a proactive, one-to-one assessment designed to give businesses a clear picture of where they stand. Introduced three years ago, the review covers key areas such as:

 - HR policies and bylaws
 - Risk assessments
 - Fire safety and workplace procedures
 - Through around 30 structured questions, businesses receive tailored insights and practical next steps helping to identify gaps before they become costly issues.

Key Legislative Changes to Watch

Myles also shared important updates on new and upcoming legislation that will impact businesses across the sector:

Statutory Sick Pay is now a day-one right, meaning contracts must be updated to remove waiting periods.
Sexual harassment laws now include third-party liability, requiring stronger policies, training, and risk assessments.
The new Fair Worker Agency has been introduced, with the authority to investigate and act on HR breaches.
Changes to the two-year rule mean new starters could gain full employment rights after just five months.
Restrictions on ‘fire and rehire’ practices will make restructuring more complex and require careful handling.
These changes signal a clear shift: compliance expectations are increasing, and businesses must be proactive rather than reactive.

Supporting SMEs Through Increasing Scrutiny

With growing government focus on transparency and workplace standards, SMEs are under more pressure than ever.

The advice? Use the support available from The Giftware Assocoiation. Whether it’s navigating new tax requirements or developing policies such as menopause support in the workplace, Quest’s advice lines and resources are there to guide members through evolving expectations.

Looking Ahead: Keeping Members Informed

The session closed with a strong focus on ongoing engagement. Members were encouraged to:

Share feedback and challenges
Suggest topics for future sessions
Make full use of the support available
To support this, The Giftware Association team will be increasing communication around Quest services, compliance updates, and key resources ensuring members stay informed and empowered.