UK Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) 2026: Eligibility, Amount & Rules
Section A: What is Statutory Sick Pay? Statutory Sick Pay is the legal minimum sick pay that UK employers are required to provide when an employee is unable to work due to illness. It operates as a statutory baseline rather than a discretionary benefit and applies regardless of sector or workforce size. For […]
Can an Employer Withhold Pay? UK Legal Guide 2026
In the UK, an employer can only withhold pay in strictly limited circumstances. The starting point under UK employment law is that workers are entitled to be paid the wages properly due to them as part of the fundamental bargain in an employment contract. If an employer withholds pay without lawful authority, this will usually […]
Leap Year Pay UK: Must Employers Pay More?
Paying employees correctly is a fundamental legal obligation under UK employment law. Even a small payroll miscalculation can expose an employer to claims for unlawful deduction of wages, breach of contract or regulatory enforcement under minimum wage legislation. For employer-facing guidance on pay compliance and risk, see our wider resources on employment law and pay […]
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 […]
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 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 […]