Staff Handbook Template (What to Include?)

Staff handbook template

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

Return to work

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

Sickness 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

Termination of employment letter

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 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

Legal working hours

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

Pre-Licence Priority Service

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?

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

Home office compliance

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

Authorising officer sms

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 […]