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Part-time employees are entitled to paid holiday in the same way as full-time staff, but working out exactly how much they should receive is not always straightforward. Different working patterns, varying day lengths and bank holidays that fall on some people’s working days but not others can all make holiday calculations harder than they first…
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28 September 2026

When workloads peak, employees are often asked to stay late, start early or cover an extra shift. For some businesses, the answer is overtime pay. For others, it is giving that time back later. This is known as time off in lieu, often shortened to TOIL, and it is a common way for SMEs to…
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14 September 2026

Extending a probation period can sometimes be the most practical option when an employer is not yet in a position to make a final decision. A probationary period is designed to give both sides time to assess whether the role is the right fit, but that does not always mean every question will be answered…
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31 August 2026

Managing sickness absence can be challenging for any employer, especially when an employee is ready to come back but may not yet be able to return to normal duties straight away. In these situations, a phased return to work can help create a more manageable route back into the workplace. For SMEs, this often means…
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10 August 2026

Managing sickness absence is part of everyday people management, and for many employers that also means understanding how company sick pay works alongside statutory sick pay. While statutory sick pay is the legal minimum for eligible employees, some businesses also offer an enhanced scheme as part of their wider employee package. This is usually referred…
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27 July 2026

A permanent contract is one of the most common types of employment agreement used in the UK, but employers still need to understand how it works and when it is the right option. Unlike fixed term or temporary contracts, a permanent contract has no predetermined end date and is designed to continue until either the…
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6 July 2026

Right to work checks for employers are an important part of recruiting new people into a business. Before someone starts work, employers need to establish that they have the legal right to carry out the role they are being hired for and keep an appropriate record of that check. For SMEs, the process can sometimes…
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22 June 2026

A disciplinary hearing is a formal stage in an employer’s disciplinary process where concerns about an employee’s conduct or performance are discussed before a decision is made. For employers, understanding what a disciplinary hearing is and how it fits into the wider process is important because disciplinary matters need to be handled fairly, consistently, and…
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1 June 2026

Creating an employee reward and recognition programme that genuinely motivates your team can feel like a challenge, especially with different people valuing and wanting different things. When done well, these programmes are one of the most effective ways to boost morale, improve retention, and build a positive workplace culture. With many employers now competing for…
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11 May 2026