Protected Characteristics at Work (2026 UK Guide)
Protected characteristics sit at the centre of UK discrimination law. They define the legal boundaries within which employers must operate when recruiting, managing and, where necessary, dismissing staff. Under the Equality Act 2010, it is unlawful to discriminate, harass or victimise someone because of a protected characteristic. These rules apply across the employment lifecycle, from […]
Retirement Procedure for Employers UK 2026 Guide
At a time when people are living longer, and with cost of living pressures pushing more to work beyond pensionable retirement age, employers may be looking for ways to facilitate a fuller working life for their employees, both before any decision has been made to retire, and in the run up to retirement where the […]
SOSR Dismissal: What Is Some Other Substantial Reason?
To dismiss an employee lawfully, an employer must show a fair reason for dismissal. Under section 98 of the Employment Rights Act 1996, there are five potentially fair reasons for dismissal: conduct, capability or performance, redundancy, breach of a statutory restriction or some other substantial reason (SOSR). An SOSR dismissal applies where the reason for […]
Gross Misconduct: Examples & Dismissal Rules 2026
Incidents of gross misconduct at work often require a prompt response, particularly where there are safety, safeguarding or security concerns. At the same time, disciplinary action in this context carries significant legal exposure. Employers are generally best protected where they follow a fair procedure aligned with the ACAS Code of Practice and respect the employee’s […]
Shift Patterns UK 2026: Types, Rules & Worker Rights
With the traditional Monday-to-Friday working week no longer reflecting how many UK businesses operate, structured shift patterns have become central to workforce planning across the UK. From healthcare, logistics and manufacturing to retail, hospitality and customer service, shift work enables employers to maintain operational continuity, meet customer demand and compete in markets that increasingly expect […]
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 […]
Written Statement of Employment Particulars
One of the fundamental employment rights in the UK is that employees and workers are provided with a written statement of employment particulars no later than the first day of employment. This requirement is set out in section 1 of the Employment Rights Act 1996. The employer is required to give the principal statement on […]
AI Recruitment in 2026: GDPR & Discrimination Risks
Artificial intelligence is now embedded in many UK recruitment processes. From automated CV screening and candidate ranking to chatbot communication and predictive analytics, AI tools are reshaping how employers attract and assess talent. For HR professionals, the commercial appeal is clear: faster shortlisting, improved consistency and the ability to manage high application volumes without […]
Employee Retention Strategies for UK Employers 2026
Employee retention is rarely about a single policy, initiative or benefit. In practice, it reflects how an organisation makes decisions about people under pressure, when resources are tight, managers are stretched, and trade-offs are unavoidable. For UK employers, retention sits at the intersection of people strategy, workforce planning, management capability and legal risk, all operating […]
Employee Incentives 2026: HR Strategy, Risk & Pay Law
Employee incentives sit at the intersection of motivation, money, fairness and risk. For HR teams and business owners, they are rarely just about “rewarding good performance”. Incentives influence behaviour, shape workplace culture, affect employee retention and can quietly create legal and cost exposure if they are not designed and controlled properly. In practice, incentive schemes […]