Workplace and Environment

Shift work clauseAs we move towards a 24-hour a day culture, it will become more and more common for employees to undertake shift work. Shift workers don't usually have normal hours of work. Rather, they work hours according to a shift rota and these ... Read more

Retirement clauseOur retirement clause states that you do not operate a normal retirement age and therefore employees will not be compulsorily retired on reaching a particular age. Instead, employees can choose to voluntarily retire whenever they wis... Read more

Medical examinations clauseEven with the contractual power to do so, you can't force an employee to undergo a medical examination. To do so would amount to a breach of their privacy and, if the doctor doesn't have the patient's consent, a civil trespass... Read more

Return of company property clauseIt's advisable to insert a clause obliging an employee to return all company property on the termination of their employment. This is particularly the case if the employee has office keys, company credit cards, expensi... Read more

Notice to take holidayFrom time to time, you may wish to require an employee, or group of employees, to take annual leave on dates that you've selected. Use our notice to enable you to do this on an ad hoc basis throughout the holiday year, whether th... Read more

Working Time Regulations policyAdult workers cannot be forced to work for more than 48 hours a week on average, although they can voluntarily agree to work more than this. Our Working Time Regulations Policy statement aims to ensure that you comply w... Read more

Holiday shutdown clauseIf you completely close down your business for a couple of weeks during, for example, the Christmas or summer period, you will probably want to ensure that the period of shutdown is taken by your employees as part of their annu... Read more

Canteen facilities policyIf you provide your employees with a staff canteen or restaurant, it's useful to include a brief provision in your staff handbook advising them of this discretionary benefit and of the facility's opening hours.Lunch on the jo... Read more

Letter following receipt of medical certificate during suspensionIt's not uncommon for employees who are suspended from work pending a disciplinary hearing to get themselves medically certified as sick with anxiety, stress or depression. As the employ... Read more