Dogs in the Workplace: Benefits, Risks & Policies
Dogs may make the workplace more friendly and enjoyable, enhancing employee morale, increasing productivity and strengthening relationships, but they can also be disruptive and may potentially cause damage or injury. If you choose to develop a dog-friendly workplace, you must establish clear standards and be open and honest about expectations and restrictions. If your company […]
How to Spot a Fake Sick Note
An important aspect of an organisation’s absence management programme will be identifying and dealing with suspected fraudulent sickness absence and non-genuine sickness claims (‘pulling sickies’) or exaggerating symptoms or a condition to justify more time off work. For managers and HR, this means being alert to signs of potential issues, such as being given a […]
How to Write a Job Offer Letter: Tips for Employers
A job offer letter is used when an employer would like to offer a candidate a position with their organisation. Having been through what is often likely to be a lengthy recruitment process, sifting through applications and shortlisting applicants for interview, it can feel like a huge relief to select the successful candidate. However, it […]
When Does Regular Overtime Become Contractual?
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 […]
Toilet Breaks at Work
Employees are entitled by law to take certain rest breaks at work, but employers are also allowed to adopt policies to ensure that time taken for breaks is not abused or disruptive. In this guide, we explain the law on rest and toilet breaks and look at the key considerations for employers when managing breaks […]
Retirement Procedure for Employers UK
At a time when people are living longer, and with cost of living pressures pushing more to work beyond pensionable retirement age, employers may be looking for ways to facilitate a fuller working life for their employees, both before any decision has been made to retire, and in the run up to retirement where the […]
Equality Act 2010: Employers’ Guide
The Equality Act 2010 has arguably had more impact on the UK workplace than any other piece of legislation in recent times, imposing far-reaching legal obligations on employers to prevent unlawful discrimination and unfair treatment of workers and job applicants. It is essential that employers, and those responsible for managing the workforce, fully understand the […]
Shift Allowance: Guide for UK Employers
Employees have a number of well-established rights around pay in the UK, from being paid a minimum wage to not having unlawful deductions made from their wages. However, when it comes to shift allowances, employers are not always as confident about what they can and cannot pay an employee, and whether the employee is automatically […]
Understanding the Permanent Contract for Employers
A permanent contract is a legally binding agreement between an employer and an employee, outlining the terms and conditions of employment with no specified end date. Permanent contracts typically include essential details such as job responsibilities, salary, benefits, and termination conditions, forming the foundation of the employer-employee relationship. For employers, offering a permanent contract signifies […]
Recruitment Discrimination: UK Laws & Prevention
To avoid allegations of unlawful discrimination in recruitment, employers should not select candidates for any reason other than their qualifications and experience, unless certain limited exceptions apply. In this guide, we explain the discrimination rules for anyone responsible for recruiting, interviewing and selecting job candidates, including advice on preventing discrimination claims and when discrimination may […]