Employee Relations: UK Law & Best Practice 2026
Effective employee relations benefit organisational culture, morale and performance. Employee relations are the relationships between employers and employees. These relationships influence how employers handle issues such as pay and benefits, managing conflict, supporting a healthy work-life balance, and maintaining fair working conditions. Organisations that manage employee relations effectively are more likely to achieve higher levels […]
Benefits of Zero Hour Contracts for Employers
A zero-hours contract is an agreement between an employer and an individual where the employer does not guarantee to provide a set number of working hours and only pays for the work actually undertaken. In practice, this means the employer does not have to give the individual work, and they are not obliged to accept […]
What Is a Part-Time Worker? UK Employment Law
Employers often assume that part-time working is a straightforward concept, defined simply by reduced hours. In practice, the legal position is more nuanced. UK employment law does not set a fixed number of hours that determines whether someone is a part-time or full-time worker. Instead, part-time status is assessed by reference to an individual’s normal […]
Employment Law for Part-Time Workers UK
Part-time working is a long-established and widely used feature of the UK labour market. Many employers rely on part-time staff to manage fluctuating demand, retain experienced workers, or support flexible working arrangements. While part-time working can offer clear operational benefits, it also carries specific legal obligations that employers must understand and apply consistently. UK employment […]
Part-time Workers Regulations 2000 Explained
Part-time working is a permanent feature of the UK labour market, used across sectors to meet both business needs and employee preferences. While flexibility can bring operational advantages, it also carries legal risk if part-time workers are treated less favourably than their full-time counterparts without lawful justification. The Part-time Workers (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) […]
How Many Hours is Part Time? 2026 Guide
Part-time work has become increasingly common in the UK as both employers and employees seek greater flexibility in their work arrangements. The trend is driven by diverse factors, including the growing importance of work-life balance, the rise of the gig economy and changing workforce demographics. For employers, the challenges when dealing with part-time hours include […]
Employment Law When Hiring Agency Workers UK
Hiring agency workers is a common feature of the modern UK workforce. Employers rely on agency labour to manage fluctuating demand, cover short-term absences, access specialist skills, and maintain operational flexibility without committing to permanent headcount. While this model offers clear commercial advantages, it also raises distinct employment law and compliance considerations that employers must […]
Conflict and Resolution
Conflict at work can arise in many forms, from raising concerns informally to pursuing formal disputes. If handled positively and at an early stage, conflict can strengthen working relationships, build trust and prevent issues from escalating. Employers should understand how workers can raise problems, how concerns should be addressed and when formal processes or external […]
Consultation and Change
Change in the workplace can be positive when it is managed lawfully and communicated clearly, but it can also lead to conflict if handled poorly. Employers should consult workers about proposed changes and understand the rights workers have when their roles, terms or working arrangements are affected. Effective consultation can improve working relationships, reduce resistance […]
Starting and Ending Employment
Starting and ending employment brings legal responsibilities for both employers and workers. Clear processes at recruitment, during employment and at termination help reduce disputes and ensure statutory rights are respected. A key part of this is understanding employment status, as it determines the rights a worker can enforce and the obligations an employer must meet. […]