A written statement of employment particulars is not an employment contract, but it is a legal requirement that every employer must provide to every worker on or before their first day. Since April 2020, this right …
Small employers manage a steady stream of employment law changes. Some are straightforward administrative updates (a minimum wage rate rise), while others reshape how businesses operate (a cut to the unfair dismissal …
From 6 April 2024, the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act 2023 transformed the landscape of flexible work rights in England and Wales. The most significant change is that all employees now have the right to …
A grievance is a formal complaint raised by an employee about their work, their employer, or another employee. Common grievances include complaints about pay, unfair treatment, discrimination, bullying, or harassment. …
Every worker in the UK—whether full-time, part-time, or on a zero-hours contract—is entitled to at least 5.6 weeks’ statutory paid holiday per year. However, calculating what this means in practice varies …
An employee handbook is a reference document that sets out the policies, procedures, and expectations that shape how a small business operates day-to-day. Whether you’re employing your first staff member or …
Redundancy is a type of dismissal where an employee’s role is no longer needed. Redundancies can occur because of business closure, restructuring, or reduced need for a particular role. The law requires employers …
Sickness absence costs UK employers billions every year. The cost is not just in lost productivity; it is also in the complexity of managing absences fairly and legally. When an employee or worker is absent due to …
Most small businesses do not have a dedicated HR person, and they do not start out needing one. Instead, line managers and owners handle hiring, pay, absence, and day-to-day employment matters themselves. As the business …
When an employee is not performing at the required standard, your first instinct may be to issue a warning or move toward dismissal. However, the law requires a fairer approach: support employees to improve first, and …
A probation period is a structured time at the start of employment during which both employer and employee assess whether the role is a good fit. It is not a legal requirement, but it is a widely used management tool. …
Before hiring any new employee, you must carry out a legal right to work check. It is a statutory requirement under immigration law, not simply a best practice. If you fail to do this—or do it incorrectly—you face civil …
A disciplinary procedure is the formal process an employer follows when an employee’s conduct or performance does not meet the required standard. Following a fair and consistent procedure is essential: it protects …
A settlement agreement is a written contract between an employer and an employee (or former employee) that brings an end to an employment dispute or terminates an employment relationship. Settlement agreements are …