Fit Note Guidance for Employers
A fit note, officially known as the Statement of Fitness for Work, is a medical document issued by a qualified healthcare professional in the UK. It is used to confirm whether an employee is unfit for work or may be fit for work with adjustments. Fit notes are typically required after seven consecutive days of […]
Employee Assistance Programme: HR Guide
An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is a workplace initiative designed to support employees with personal or professional issues that may impact their wellbeing, productivity or performance. Typically funded by the employer, EAPs provide confidential services such as counselling, mental health support, legal advice and financial guidance. The programmes can be delivered via telephone, online resources […]
Staff Turnover UK 2026: How to Calculate & Improve
Staff turnover refers to the rate at which employees leave a company and are replaced. It includes voluntary resignations, retirements, dismissals or redundancies. While some turnover is natural, high staff turnover can be costly and disruptive for UK employers. Given current talent and skills shortages across all areas of the economy, it has become business-critical […]
Favouritism in the Workplace: What Employers Need to Know
Favouritism in the workplace, or being perceived to be treating some staff more favourably than others without good reason, can create tensions and expose employers to legal claims. Favouritism in the workplace can happen when an individual, usually someone in a more senior position, treats one employee more favourably than another for reasons that are […]
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 […]
Job Offer Letter UK 2026: What to Include, Examples & Tips
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 […]
How to Write a Grievance Letter
If you have a work-related complaint, and informal steps have failed to resolve the issue, you may need to write a grievance letter to raise a grievance with your employer. Different employers can operate different procedures for making a grievance, but in most cases this will entail you writing a grievance letter. Below we look […]
Demoted at Work: Know Your Rights and Next Steps
Demotion is where an employee is reassigned by their employer to a role within the organisation that carries lesser responsibility, status or remuneration than their current role. There are certain circumstances in which employees can be demoted lawfully by their employer, but employees remain protected by many employment rights. The following guide looks at when […]
Good Work Plan: Essential Guide for Employers
The UK Good Work Plan was introduced as a response to the Taylor Review of Modern Working Practices, aiming to improve working conditions and clarify employment rights. It represented a significant reform in UK employment law, affecting both employers and employees across various sectors. The following guide looks at the three main strands of the […]