Self Certification Form UK: 7-Day Rule & SSP 2026
Self certification is the process that allows an employee to confirm they are unfit for work due to illness without providing medical evidence for a short period of absence. In UK employment law, this typically covers sickness lasting up to seven calendar days, after which a fit note may be required. This guide is about […]
Overtime UK: Rules, Pay & 48-Hour Limits 2026
Overtime refers to the additional time employees work beyond their standard contracted hours. In workforce management terms, overtime helps employers meet operational demands, especially during peak periods or when deadlines are approaching, or to alleviate staffing issues. However, managing overtime requires careful consideration of legal regulations, employee wellbeing and cost implications. This guide provides UK […]
Overtime Tax UK: Is Overtime Taxed More? 2026
Overtime tax is one of the most misunderstood aspects of payroll management in the UK. Employees frequently believe overtime is “taxed more”, while employers and HR teams face recurring queries about fluctuating deductions, tax codes and National Insurance. In reality, overtime is not subject to a special tax rate. It is treated as ordinary earnings […]
Voluntary Overtime Pay: UK Legal Guide 2026
Voluntary overtime pay can appear straightforward: an employee works extra hours and is paid for them. In practice, however, voluntary overtime sits at the intersection of contract law, working time limits, holiday pay rules, minimum wage compliance and discrimination protection. Employers who treat overtime as a simple payroll matter risk creating unintended contractual rights or […]
How Many Hours Is Full Time in the UK? (2026 Guide)
Determining how many hours is full time is a common question for both employees and employers. The answer matters because working hours affect pay, holiday entitlement, pension contributions, overtime thresholds, and compliance with the legal working hours framework under the Working Time Regulations 1998. However, contrary to popular belief, UK employment law does not prescribe […]
What Must Be on a Payslip? UK Law Guide 2026
One of the fundamental elements of UK employment rights in relation to pay is that workers are entitled to receive a written itemised statement of pay, otherwise known as a payslip. Payslips ensure that workers understand how much they are being paid, what deductions have been taken and what period the pay covers. Workers need […]
Alternatives to Pay Rises 2026: UK Employer Legal Guide
Employers across the UK are under sustained pressure to control employment costs while still retaining skilled and productive workforces. Rising inflation, higher National Insurance contributions, increased pension costs and post-pandemic market uncertainty have made routine pay rises commercially unsustainable for many organisations. At the same time, employers remain exposed to legal, operational and reputational risk […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]