Employment law

From pay, hours and time off to discipline, grievance and hiring and firing employees, find out about your legal responsibilities as an employer.

Employment law - overview

From pay, hours and time off to discipline, grievance and hiring and firing employees, find out about your legal responsibilities as an employer.

Sickness and sick pay - overview

While sick employees need to be treated fairly, you need to ensure that 'sickness' is not being used as cover for unauthorised absence.

Discrimination - overview

As well as undermining morale, illegal discrimination can lead to workplace grievances. Employee discrimination is covered by the Equality Act 2010.

Dismissals and redundancies - overview

Sometimes it may be necessary to dismiss a member of staff or make them redundant. Following the right procedures helps protect your business and minimises the risk of a legal dispute at tribunal.

Employment tribunals - overview

Employment tribunal claims are a worrying prospect for any employer. Read our introduction to the employment tribunal process.

Pay and pensions - overview

Every business needs to be aware of its obligations under minimum wage and equal pay laws, as well as recent pensions auto-enrolment changes.

Employment policies - overview

The right employment policies are an essential part of effective staff management. Make sure any policy is clear and well communicated to employees.

A woman gets a verbal warning at work
FAQs

Disciplinary issues FAQs

Answers to frequently asked questions on disciplining employees, including grounds for disciplinary action and what to do in specific circumstances.

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FAQs

Equal pay FAQs

Want to know your obligations when it comes to equal pay for your employees, including disputes and tricky issues? Read our useful FAQs.

Remuneration
Article

Essential guide to remuneration

It's essential to get your remuneration packages right to attract and retain reliable employees with the skills your business needs. Our guide.

A calculator and pencil on a pay roll sheet calculating minimum wage
Article

Minimum pay rates

Almost all workers are entitled to certain statutory and minimum pay rates. Check what rates of pay your employees are entitled to.

Man leaving office  with possessions - Redundancy FAQs
FAQs

Redundancy FAQs

Read our frequently asked questions about making employees redundant, including what procedures to follow and alternatives to consider.

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FAQs

Remote working FAQs

Frequently asked questions on your responsibilities towards travelling and remote workers, and the rights they have to act on behalf of your business.

An employee deeply concerned over his redundancy
Article

Essential guide to redundancy

A shift in the economic climate, merger or move to a new location can all make redundancies inevitable. Our overview of how to manage redundancies.

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Article

Avoiding age discrimination

It is unlawful for an employer to discriminate on grounds of age when recruiting, promoting, training or providing any other benefit to employees.

Two people having a dispute
FAQs

Discrimination FAQs

Frequently asked questions on workplace discrimination, including your responsibilities to treat people equally and make reasonable adjustments.

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FAQs

Dismissing employees FAQs

FAQs on dismissing employees, including disciplinary procedures and what to do about claims of constructive or wrongful dismissal.

HR consultation
FAQs

Employment tribunals FAQs

Facing an employment tribunal claim can be stressful and expensive. Find out answers to some of your frequently asked questions.

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FAQs

Flexible working FAQs

FAQs about flexible working, including employee rights to request flexible working and your obligations when it comes to granting requests.

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FAQs

Information and consultation FAQs

FAQs on your responsibilities to inform and consult with employees when you make business changes, if you have more than 50 employees.

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FAQs

Managing pregnant employees FAQs

Frequently asked questions about how to manage pregnant employees in the workplace, and employee rights to maternity leave and pay

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FAQs

The minimum wage FAQs

20 FAQs people ask about the minimum wage - from the current rate to who is entitled and what hours, benefits and payments qualify.

An older woman
FAQs

Age discrimination FAQs

How to avoid illegal age discrimination in the workplace, including possible issues with both younger and older employees - read our helpful FAQs

Two members of staff have a disagreement over work
Article

Dismissing employees: key facts

Always take advice before dismissing employees. They could bring one or a combination of three claims against you if you handle the dismissal badly.

Woman in glasses sat at a desk using her laptop whilst working from home
Article

Flexible working

Most employees have the right to apply to you to work flexibly, provided that they have worked for you for at least 26 continuous weeks.

Woman in a blazer sat at a desk using her laptop
Article

Flexible working requests

Employers granting one flexible working request but not another need to beware of discrimination claims. Find out how to avoid the pitfalls.

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Article

Giving references FAQs

Giving references - answers to common questions about what references you must give employees and the possible consequences

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FAQs

Holidays FAQs

Answers to frequently asked questions about holiday issues including the rights of part-time workers and when you can refuse to grant leave.

A woman working on her own
Article

Keeping lone workers safe

You need to make sure you safeguard employees who work alone - here are the key steps to take to keep them safe, and keep you legal.

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Tool

Lone working - manage the risks

If you have employees that regularly work alone, or outside of normal working hours, you have responsibility for their health, safety and welfare. 

A female HR manager meets with a female employee to discuss her employment
Article

Making redundancy a last resort

If you need to cut costs, you don’t always need to make redundancies. We list some ways you can cut your costs, not your workforce.

Two parents holding a baby together while on parental leave
Article

Parental leave

Any employee with at least one year’s service is entitled to take up to 18 weeks’ unpaid leave per child for the purpose of caring for that child.

Pile of coloured lever-arch files with one labeled new employees
Article

Taking on a new employee

When you take on a new member of staff, there are an initial six tasks you need to carry out to ensure you comply with the law.

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Article

Tax-advantaged employee share schemes

Employee share schemes can help you recruit, retain and incentivise employees by giving them a direct financial interest in the company's success.

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Article

Terminating an employee's contract

From reclaiming your business' property to ensuring your confidential information is kept secret, you must make sure that everything you do is legal.