UK National Minimum Wage Rates

The National Minimum Wage plays a central role in workforce planning, payroll management and compliance across every sector in the UK. Each April the statutory rates rise, and the increases for 2025 and the announced uplift for 2026 will create direct cost pressure, particularly for employers with large numbers of entry-level or hourly staff. Understanding […]

UK Probationary Period: Employer Guide 2025

A probationary period is a set period of time at the start of an employment relationship during which an employer assesses whether a new employee is suitable for the role. It typically lasts between three to six months and allows both parties to evaluate the fit before confirming long-term employment. In the employment lifecycle, the probationary period […]

Contract, Hours & Pay

Employment contracts form the basis of the employer-employee relationship, outlining the terms and conditions under which employees work and are remunerated.   Section A: Employment Contracts   Employment contracts are essential to the employer-employee relationship, providing a formal agreement that specifies the terms and conditions of employment. These contracts should detail key aspects such as […]

Is It Illegal To Pay Employees Late?

Employers will want to avoid causing inconvenience and distress to their workforce by paying wages late. But what if your business is going through financial difficulties, and cashflow problems are impacting your ability to pay wages on time – could you face legal action if you pay your employees’ wages late? The law on paying […]

Overtime Pay: Advice for Employers

Calculating overtime pay and holiday entitlement can quickly become complicated for employers. In this overtime pay guide, we will help you understand employees’ rights and your obligations relating to UK overtime laws.   What counts as overtime?   Typically, an employee will be contractually required to work a fixed number of hours per week in […]

Types of Flexible Working

As businesses adapt to the impact of the pandemic, change has become the norm in workplaces of all descriptions. Following the lockdown and widespread adoption of homeworking, increasing numbers of businesses are planning to adopt flexible working arrangements on a long-term basis. This is hardly surprising when you consider that 80 per cent of business […]