Work WhatsApp Groups Explained | Issues, Risks & Boundaries
The use of work WhatsApp groups has grown exponentially in recent years, particularly since the proliferation of remote and hybrid working. As a mobile messaging app, WhatsApp offers teams an easy way to stay in touch, network and share ideas. It also allows employees to message each other discreetly, often without employers being aware. But […]
How to Measure Performance 2026 | Methods, Examples & Tips
Effective performance measurement helps companies identify their strengths and weaknesses, top high performers, areas for improvement, and helps set benchmarks with historical data. Gaining a competitive advantage by achieving a certain level of business performance is the primary prerequisite for the successful operation of a company in the long term in today’s highly competitive environment. […]
Discretionary Bonus 2026 Explained | Meaning & How It Works
A discretionary bonus is one of the types of bonuses that might be awarded by an employer. Some employers award discretionary bonuses to recognise an employee’s performance, as a thank you for referrals or to avoid the risk of having to recalculate any overtime compensation at the end of the year. Many employers give their […]
Period Policy at Work Explained | Menstruation Support
There is undoubtedly a general stigma in the workplace surrounding periods and menstrual health. For employees, talking to their manager or employer about period issues can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. Many may also be concerned about looking ‘weak’ or unreliable if they take time off work because of their period. For those women that struggle on […]
Changing an Employment Contract 2026 | How It Works
A contract of employment is an agreement between an employer and an employee or worker that is legally binding. The contract may be negotiated orally or in writing, but it is advisable to have a written document in place, signed by both parties, stating the terms of the agreement, to reduce the risk of disputes […]
When Does Regular Custom Become Contractual? 2026
The question ‘When does regular overtime become contractual?’ is one that commonly arises within a number of different employment contexts, from whether an employer has the right to insist on an employee working additional hours to when the employee has the right to be paid extra for this. It can also arise when calculating an […]
Employment Tribunal Claim 2026 | Process & What to Expect
Employment tribunal claims are not an exceptional event in UK employment law. They are a routine enforcement mechanism through which statutory employment rights are tested, interpreted and, where breached, sanctioned. For employers and HR leaders, an employment tribunal claim is not simply a dispute with an individual employee. It is a formal legal process that […]
UK Sick Note (Fit Note) 2026: When & What It Means
Section A: What is a Sick Note in the UK? In UK employment law, there is no specific legal document called a ‘sick note’. The term is commonly used to describe what is officially known as a ‘fit note’. A fit note is the recognised form of medical evidence used to support sickness […]
What Is PAYE? 2026: How Pay As You Earn Works Explained
Pay As You Earn (PAYE) is HMRC’s statutory system for collecting Income Tax and National Insurance contributions (NICs) from employment income through payroll. For employers, PAYE is not optional administration. It is a legal obligation that sits at the centre of payroll governance, HR risk management and financial compliance under UK employment law. When PAYE […]
Payment in Lieu of Notice 2026 | Meaning & When It’s Used
Payment in Lieu of Notice (PILON) is an operationally attractive option for employers because it allows an exit to be executed quickly. It is also a legally sensitive decision, because PILON interacts with contract rights, tax treatment and litigation risk. Used correctly, it supports clean exits and risk control. Used casually, it can trigger avoidable […]