Most small businesses have never had a conversation with a trade union. From 30th October 2026, some of them will have one whether they planned to or not. A new statutory right of access means independent trade unions can formally ask to come into your workplace, in person or digitally, to talk to your staff. […]
For years, small business owners have taken comfort in one quiet rule: if a former employee had not brought a claim within three months, they probably were not going to. That window has now doubled. From 1st October 2026, the time limit for bringing most employment tribunal claims has increased from three months to six […]
Until last week, right to work checks were an employee problem. If someone was on your payroll, you checked their documents before day one. If they invoiced you as a contractor, most small businesses assumed the checks were somebody else’s job. That assumption stopped working on 1st October 2026. The right to work scheme now […]
Fixed-term hiring that ends cleanly when the season does: contracts, holiday pay and endings for summer and Christmas staff.
A fair disciplinary process for a small food team, from first concern to outcome, without sacking anyone on the spot mid-service.
Deductions, warnings and when a no-show becomes a resignation: the lawful way to deal with staff who simply do not turn up.
Hours, breaks, pay bands and what changes on each birthday: the rules for employing young workers in a cafe, on one page.
How holiday and holiday pay actually work for zero-hours and casual staff under the 12.07% rules, and where the back-pay claims come from.
Since 1st October 2024 all tips must be passed on in full and allocated fairly, backed by a written policy and records. What compliance actually involves.
Who you must inform, consult and transfer when a practice is sold, and when. The TUPE timeline for sellers and buyers of dental practices.