Your HR Questions, Answered
Clear, expert answers to the most common UK HR questions. Written for business owners, managers, and HR teams who need practical guidance.
Leave & Absence
(5 questions)What is the Bradford Factor and How is it Calculated?
The Bradford Factor is an HR formula (S x S x D) used to measure employee absenteeism, where S is the number of separate absence spells and D is the total days absent. It highlights frequent short-term absences as more disruptive than longer single periods off work.
How Does Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) Work in the UK?
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is the legal minimum payment UK employers must make to eligible employees who are off sick for 4 or more consecutive days. As of April 2025, SSP is paid at a flat rate of £118.75 per week for up to 28 weeks.
How to Calculate Holiday Entitlement for Part-Time Workers in the UK
Part-time workers in the UK are entitled to the same 5.6 weeks of paid annual leave as full-time workers, calculated pro rata. Multiply 5.6 by the number of days worked per week. For example, 3 days per week gives 16.8 days of annual leave.
How to Manage Employee Absences Effectively in the UK
Effective absence management in the UK requires a clear written policy, consistent trigger points (such as the Bradford Factor), return-to-work interviews, and an understanding of your legal obligations around SSP, disability adjustments, and protected characteristics.
What is TOIL (Time Off in Lieu) and How Does it Work?
TOIL (Time Off in Lieu) is compensatory time off given to employees who have worked additional hours beyond their normal schedule, instead of receiving overtime pay. It is a flexible alternative commonly used by UK employers where employees 'bank' extra hours worked and take them as leave later.
HR Technology
(2 questions)What is the Best HR Software for Small Businesses in the UK?
The best HR software for UK small businesses handles leave management, onboarding, employee records, and UK compliance out of the box. Key factors include GDPR compliance, Bradford Factor support, statutory holiday calculations, and affordable per-employee pricing.
How to Set Up an HR System for a Small Business in the UK
Setting up an HR system for a UK small business involves establishing core policies (absence, disciplinary, grievance), choosing HR software that handles UK compliance, setting up employee records management, and building onboarding and leave management processes. Start with the essentials and build from there.
Onboarding & Offboarding
(1 question)Compliance & Legal
(4 questions)What are the Legal Requirements for Employee Records in the UK?
UK employers must maintain employment records including contracts, payroll data, absence records, and right-to-work evidence. Records must comply with UK GDPR, be stored securely, retained for appropriate periods (typically 6 years after employment ends), and made available to employees upon request.
How to Conduct a Fair Redundancy Process in the UK
A fair redundancy process in the UK requires a genuine business reason, fair selection criteria, individual consultation with affected employees, consideration of suitable alternative employment, and correct redundancy pay calculations. Collective consultation rules apply when making 20 or more redundancies within 90 days.
How to Conduct a Right to Work Check in the UK
A UK right-to-work check involves verifying an employee's original identity documents before their first day of work. Employers can use manual document checks, the Home Office online checking service, or an Identity Service Provider (IDSP). Failing to conduct checks can result in civil penalties of up to £60,000 per illegal worker.
Understanding ACAS Guidelines on Disciplinary Procedures in the UK
The ACAS Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures sets out the minimum standards UK employers must follow. Key requirements include investigating allegations, holding a formal meeting, allowing the employee to be accompanied, and offering a right of appeal. Failure to follow the Code can result in up to 25% uplift in tribunal awards.
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