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 […]
Confidentiality in the Workplace 2026 | What It Covers
It’s an unfortunate reality for business owners that employees are a potential source of commercial risk. While it’s rare that a breach of confidentiality at work will occur intentionally, even an honest mistake can result in severe consequences. This makes it business-critical to take certain measures to protect your commercial interests, such as using confidentiality […]
Mobile Phone Policy Explained | What It Covers at Work
Mobile phones at work can easily become an unwanted distraction and have a negative impact on productivity. When employees are spending too much time on their device, it’s likely they’re wasting their working hours and creating other issues, such as underperforming and encouraging others to use their phones during work too. But employers cannot ignore […]
Carrying Over Annual Leave 2026 | When Holiday Can Be Carried
Carrying over annual leave is one of the most misunderstood and high-risk areas of UK employment law for employers. What appears to be a simple operational issue — unused holiday rolling into the next leave year — now carries significant legal, financial and reputational consequences if handled incorrectly. Since a series of UK and EU-derived […]
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 Overtime 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 […]
Supporting Employees with the Cost of Living 2026 | Options
The rise in inflation, interest rates and national insurance, along with the incoming price cap shift on energy bills is a significant cause of worry for many workers across the UK. That’s not even taking into account the increased costs that commuting motorists are paying to fill up their cars. It’s a myriad of factors […]
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 […]