Coaching vs mentoring: what’s the difference?
Investing in and supporting the personal and professional development of your people is shown to be beneficial for an organisation as a whole. Coaching and mentoring, for example, offer ways to develop, support and retain your staff, both in the short and long-term, ensuring the necessary skills for the organisation’s objectives to be achieved. While […]
Do employers have to give a reference?
There is generally no obligation for employers to provide a reference for an exiting employee, unless there is a contractual agreement that they must provide one, or if they operate in a regulated industry. Where a reference is given, it must be true, accurate and fair. In this guide for employers, we consider the rules […]
New Right for Workers to Request Predictable Working Patterns in 2024
A new law designed to give workers on flexible or casual contracts more predictable working patterns has received Royal Assent. The Workers (Predictable Terms and Conditions) Act 2023, which is expected to come into force in Summer 2024, will afford workers such as temporary workers and those on zero hour contracts a new statutory right […]
Hiring Talent Under The UK Graduate Route
The UK welcomes hundreds of thousands of talented and high potential overseas students to universities, further education and English language colleges every year, creating a rich pool of international graduate talent from which employers can recruit. Under the UK’s Graduate Route, employers are able to recruit recent international graduates without the need to invest in […]
Objective Setting (Is SMART Best?)
Many employers rely on objective setting frameworks such as the SMART system as part of their performance management process. While such frameworks can be useful tools, real impact only comes when they are implemented effectively. Focus on the purpose of performance management The purpose of performance management is to help individual employees perform to […]
How Much is SSP Per Day? (Employers’ Guide)
If an employee is unfit for work, by law, they may be entitled to statutory sick pay (SSP). This is the minimum amount of money an employer is legally obliged to pay to an employee who satisfies the conditions for payments when injured, unwell or required to self-isolate. The following guide for employers looks at […]
Equal Opportunities Policy Guide
With a formal equal opportunities policy, you can help to ensure that all members of your workforce are treated fairly and in accordance with the law. In this guide, we look at the importance of implementing an equal opportunities policy, and what this should contain, as well as what the law says about employers’ obligations […]
Grievance at work: Employer FAQs
Grievances at work can arise in various contexts and cover a variety of employment rights and issues. Employers and employees are expected to follow ACAS guidance on resolving grievance and disciplinary issues, but it can be easy to fall foul of best practice during such a stressful and complex process, which can make resolution less achievable. […]
How to Support Repatriating Employees
While an overseas assignment demands investment for the initial relocation and through ongoing support, there are common risks and challenges associated with repatriating employees as they return to their old workplace and lives. There are many reasons for high employee attrition rates following overseas assignment, and HR and mobility teams should take proactive steps to […]
Cost of Living Allowance (COLA Guide)
Establishing a salary package for expatriates on international assignments can be done in a number of different ways. There is not necessarily any right or wrong approach. However, the package should incorporate, where relevant, any adjustments to reflect the cost of living in the assignee’s host country. In this guide for employers, we look at […]
Staff Handbook Template (What to Include?)
An effective staff handbook plays an important role for employers. Its contents are usually binding, unless the handbook specifically says otherwise, which makes it important for employers to get the information right. The handbook should act as a helpful and reliable resource for employees, alleviating the pressure on HR to deal with everyday queries from […]
Return to Work: Guide for HR
If an employee has been absent from work through either illness or injury, especially for a prolonged period of time, it can take them a while to readjust on their return. In some cases, a number of changes may first need to be made to their working arrangements or working environment to help facilitate their […]
How to Create a Sickness Absence Policy
Employers should have in place a suitable and up-to-date sickness policy, designed to promote the health and wellbeing of their workforce through the effective management of absence due to ill health. The following guide provides advice for employers on the importance of reviewing and maintaining their company’s sickness policy. What should a sickness policy […]
Termination of Employment Letter Sample
As an employer, terminating employment by dismissal can be an unpleasant, but necessary, part of your role. Dismissal could be for a number of different reasons, from misconduct matters and poor performance issues, to where an employee’s job role has been made redundant. However, even if you have a lawful reason for dismissal, and your decision […]
How to Respond to a Flexible Working Request
Flexible working arrangements can not only be beneficial for those employees looking for a better work/life balance, but also for the employer’s business. Happier and healthier employees can lead to increased performance and productivity, not to mention reduced absenteeism and staff turnover rates. It is therefore important for employers to understand an employee’s rights when […]
Legal Working Hours & Working Time Regulations
Workers in the UK have certain minimum statutory rights when it comes to UK working hours. These include the right to work no more than 48 hours on average per week, or to opt out of this right if they so choose, and the right to a minimum length of rest breaks. Falling foul of […]
Pre-Licence Priority Service Guide
The Home Office pre-licence priority service gives employers the ability to request a fast-tracked decision on their sponsor licence application when recruiting workers under certain sponsored work visas. With standard processing for sponsor licence applications taking an average of 8 weeks, the ability to expedite a decision can be invaluable for employers looking to move quickly […]
Sponsor licence revoked?
If an organisation with a sponsor licence does not meet the various compliance duties as required under the Immigration Rules, the Home Office has powers to take enforcement action. Where serious compliance breaches are alleged, the Home Office may send a notification letter stating that the organisation’s sponsor licence has been revoked or suspended pending […]
Home Office Sponsor Compliance Visits
UK employers must meet their duties under the prevention of illegal working regime. Sponsor licence holders have to meet additional compliance duties under the terms of the sponsorship licence. The Home Office relies on a range of methods to monitor employers and sponsor licence holders, including UKVI sponsor compliance site visits. During a site inspection, […]
Authorising Officer SMS & Compliance Duties
Among the many compliance duties placed on sponsor licence holders is the requirement to nominate an ‘Authorising Officer’ as one of the key personnel roles. It will be critical for the individual holding this role to fully understand the extent and importance of their duties as the AO, since the Home Office can impose significant […]