From the Grove
The Grove HR Blog offers practical advice on UK employment law, absence management, onboarding best practices, and HR technology for growing businesses. Fresh insights to help your team flourish.
Explore expert articles on HR compliance, employee engagement, recruitment, and UK-specific employment topics written for HR professionals and business owners.
Latest Articles
Employment Allowance 2026: Am I Eligible and How to Claim
Save up to £10,500 per year on employer NI with Employment Allowance. Check if you qualify, understand the connected companies rules, and learn how to claim.
The True Cost of Hiring an Employee in the UK
Beyond salary: understand the true cost of hiring in the UK including employer NI (15%), pension (3%+), recruitment fees, onboarding, and hidden costs.
Employer National Insurance Rates 2026/27: What UK Businesses Pay
A complete guide to employer National Insurance contributions for 2026/27: the 15% rate, £5,000 secondary threshold, Employment Allowance, and strategies to manage costs.
What Are My Rights During My Notice Period?
Understand your employment rights during a notice period in the UK: the right to work, holiday entitlement, sick pay, and special protections during redundancy.
Notice Period Guide for UK Employers: Statutory & Contractual
A comprehensive guide to statutory and contractual notice periods in the UK, including payment in lieu of notice, garden leave, and managing the notice period process.
Small Business HR Compliance Checklist 2026 (UK)
Running a small business in the UK means staying on top of employment law without a dedicated HR team. This checklist covers every compliance obligation you need to meet in 2026, from employment contracts to data protection.
How to Calculate Redundancy Pay in the UK: 2026 Guide
A step-by-step guide to calculating UK statutory redundancy pay in 2026, including the age-band formula, weekly pay cap, enhanced redundancy, and consultation duties.
UK Employment Law Changes 2026: What HR Managers Need to Know
The UK employment law landscape is shifting significantly in 2026. From National Minimum Wage increases to the Employment Rights Bill reforms, here is what HR managers and small business owners need to prepare for.
Can Employees Self-Certify Sick Leave? UK Rules Explained
Understand the UK self-certification rules for sick leave: the 7-day limit, when fit notes are needed, and how employers should handle the process.
Grove HR vs BrightHR: Complete Comparison for UK Businesses (2026)
BrightHR is one of the most recognised names in UK HR software, backed by Peninsula Group. Grove HR is the newer, feature-rich alternative. Here is how they compare on features, pricing, and UK compliance depth.
How to Conduct a Return-to-Work Interview: Template & Questions
A practical guide to conducting return-to-work interviews with a ready-to-use template, question bank, and advice on linking interviews to Bradford Factor monitoring.
Do Bank Holidays Count as Annual Leave? Your Rights Explained
Can your employer include bank holidays in your annual leave? Understand the statutory position, part-time worker rights, and what your contract should say.
Absence Management Policy Template for UK Employers
A ready-to-use absence management policy template covering reporting procedures, return-to-work interviews, Bradford Factor trigger points, and employee support.
Handling Flexible Working Requests: UK Employer Guide 2026
A practical guide for UK employers on handling flexible working requests under the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act 2023, including the new day-one right, response deadlines, and statutory refusal reasons.
Employee Handbook Template UK 2026: What to Include [Free Guide]
An employee handbook sets the tone for your workplace and protects your business legally. This guide walks through every section a UK employee handbook should contain in 2026, with practical advice on what is legally required versus best practice.
Right to Work Checks UK: Complete Employer Guide [2026 Update]
Every UK employer must verify that each employee has the legal right to work in the UK before they start employment. Getting this wrong can result in civil penalties of up to £60,000 per illegal worker. This guide covers exactly how to conduct compliant right to work checks.
![GDPR for HR: Employee Data Protection Guide UK [2026]](/_next/image?url=%2Fimages%2Fblog%2Fgdpr-data-protection.jpg&w=1920&q=75)
GDPR for HR: Employee Data Protection Guide UK [2026]
HR teams process some of the most sensitive personal data in any organisation -- from health records and disciplinary files to salary details and performance reviews. This guide explains exactly what UK GDPR requires of HR departments and how to stay compliant.
How to Set Up HR From Scratch: Complete UK Guide for New Businesses
Starting a business and hiring your first employees is exciting, but it comes with a raft of legal obligations. This guide walks you through everything you need to set up a compliant HR function from scratch in the UK, from day one contracts to auto-enrolment pensions.
![Probationary Periods UK: Employer Guide to Best Practice [2026]](/_next/image?url=%2Fimages%2Fblog%2Fprobationary-period.jpg&w=1920&q=75)
Probationary Periods UK: Employer Guide to Best Practice [2026]
Probationary periods are a standard part of UK employment, but many employers misunderstand their legal status. A probation period does not remove employment rights -- it simply provides a structured framework for assessing new starters. This guide covers what you can and cannot do.
![Employee Performance Review Template: UK Employer Guide [Free Template]](/_next/image?url=%2Fimages%2Fblog%2Fperformance-review.jpg&w=1920&q=75)
Employee Performance Review Template: UK Employer Guide [Free Template]
Performance reviews are one of the most valuable tools for developing your team and improving business results -- but only if done well. This guide provides a practical template and step-by-step process for running effective performance reviews in a UK workplace.
![Workplace Pension Auto-Enrolment: UK Employer Guide [2026]](/_next/image?url=%2Fimages%2Fblog%2Fworkplace-pension.jpg&w=1920&q=75)
Workplace Pension Auto-Enrolment: UK Employer Guide [2026]
Every UK employer must automatically enrol eligible workers into a workplace pension scheme. This guide covers your duties, contribution rates, who you must enrol, how to handle opt-outs, and what happens if you get it wrong.
Maternity Leave and Pay UK 2026: Complete Employer Guide
Maternity leave and pay is one of the most complex areas of UK employment law. Employers must navigate eligibility criteria, pay calculations, notice requirements, and the employee right to return. This guide covers everything you need to know for the 2025/26 tax year.
Paternity Leave Rights UK 2026: What Employers Must Know
Paternity leave rules changed significantly from April 2024, giving fathers and partners more flexibility in how they take their leave. This guide covers the current rules, including the new option to split paternity leave into two separate blocks.
How to Handle Grievance Procedures UK: ACAS-Compliant Guide
When an employee raises a formal grievance, how you handle it can make the difference between a swift resolution and an expensive employment tribunal claim. This guide follows the ACAS Code of Practice step by step and covers the practical realities of grievance management.
ACAS Code of Practice on Disciplinary Procedures: A Complete UK Guide
A practical guide to the ACAS Code of Practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures, covering investigation, hearings, appeals, and common employer mistakes.
Grove Q1 2026: Onboarding Module, Auto-Assignment & More
Discover what is new in Grove this quarter: our brand new onboarding module, auto-assignment rules, document management, and more.
Remote Work & Leave Policies: Managing Hybrid Teams in 2026
Practical guidance on adapting your leave policies for remote and hybrid working, including multi-location bank holidays and flexible working arrangements.
TOIL (Time Off In Lieu) Policy: Complete UK Employer Guide 2026
Everything you need to know about Time Off In Lieu (TOIL): how it works, policy best practices, and legal considerations for UK employers.
![Bradford Factor Calculator: Complete Guide for UK Employers [2026]](/_next/image?url=%2Fimages%2Fblog%2Fbradford-factor.jpg&w=1920&q=75)
Bradford Factor Calculator: Complete Guide for UK Employers [2026]
Learn how to calculate the Bradford Factor, understand typical trigger points, and use this absence management tool fairly and legally.
![UK Holiday Entitlement 2026: Complete Employer Guide [Updated]](/_next/image?url=%2Fimages%2Fblog%2Fholiday-entitlement.jpg&w=1920&q=75)
UK Holiday Entitlement 2026: Complete Employer Guide [Updated]
Everything UK employers need to know about statutory annual leave in 2026, including calculations for part-time workers, new starters, and bank holidays.
Best HR Software UK 2026: Complete Comparison Guide
Independent comparison of the leading UK HR software solutions for small and medium businesses. Features, pricing, pros and cons.
Employee Onboarding Checklist 2026: Free Template + Best Practices
Research shows great onboarding improves retention by 82%. Get our free checklist template and learn best practices for welcoming new hires.
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) 2026: Rates, Rules & Employer Guide
Complete guide to Statutory Sick Pay in 2026: current rates, eligibility criteria, waiting days, and step-by-step administration for UK employers.
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