How to Write an Equal Opportunities Policy
Implementing an equal opportunities policy is one of the most effective ways to prevent unfairness in the workplace and to demonstrate the employer’s commitment to fair working practices. The following guidance looks at the importance of having an equal opportunities policy in place at work, from why this is needed to the benefits that this […]
Lone Working: Keeping your Employees Safe
Lone working is commonplace in the UK across a range of industry sectors. Where such arrangements are in place, employers are under specific legal obligations to safeguard the health and wellbeing of their lone-working staff. What is lone working? Lone working, as defined by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), refers to any working […]
How to Manage Long Term Sickness Absence
Long term sickness absence can quickly become challenging for employers, raising both practical and potentially legal issues. For managers, it can be difficult to know in the circumstances what they should do to ensure they are providing adequate support to the absent worker, while also being mindful of the interests of other staff and the […]
Breastfeeding at Work Guidance for Employers
Employers play a pivotal role in ensuring that breastfeeding mothers feel supported and valued within the workplace. By adopting a proactive approach and establishing clear policies and procedures, employers can foster a welcoming environment where breastfeeding mothers can thrive. In this article, we will explore the various considerations for employers when addressing breastfeeding requests from […]
Reasonable Adjustments for Mental Health
By understanding how to deal with requests for reasonable adjustments for mental health, you can help create a supportive working environment while ensuring compliance with your legal obligations as an employer. In this guide, we explain what the law says about reasonable adjustments for mental health, together with practical advice for employers to nuture a […]
Objective Setting Guide for Managers
Setting objectives at work is a key part of motivating and managing your team, as well as helping to optimise their performance. In this practical guide for managers, we look at how to set objectives for employees at work, from the different types of objectives that can be used and how these can be set, […]
How Do Staggered Hours Work?
Staggered hours are a type of flexible working. Given the pervasive expectation of flexible working among employees, and with the law on flexible working requests set to make such requests more common, offering appropriate flexible working arrangements has become critical to retain and attract talent. The following guide for employers looks at staggered hours in […]
Managing the Return to Work
Returning to work after an extended period of leave, such as long-term sick leave or maternity leave, can be a daunting prospect for employees. Having the full support of their employer can help to ease an employee’s concerns and address any practicalities, making this transitional period back into the workplace more likely to result in […]
How to Conduct a Return to Work Interview
Conducting a return to work interview is an essential part of an organisation’s absence management programme. Having a focused discussion with a returning employee is shown to help reduce unnecessary sickness absence and helps the returning employee transition back into the workplace environment with greater ease and with the necessary support from their employer. Return […]
Do Employers Have to Give a Job Reference?
There are various do’s and don’ts when it comes to giving a job reference for a former or exiting employee, where it is important for employers to understand their obligations, even after the employment relationship has come to an end. The following practical guide looks at the provision of work references, together with a sample […]