Staff handbooks

Anti-bribery policyYour business can be guilty of a criminal offence under the Bribery Act 2010 where it has failed to prevent bribery by a person associated with it. However, you have a defence if you can show you had adequate procedures in place wh... Read more

Dignity at work policyYou're not legally obliged to put in place a dignity at work policy. However, harassment on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are all unlawful and implementi... Read more

Confidentiality clauseAn employee owes a duty of confidentiality to you, which continues during the period of employment and, to a more limited extent, after termination. The extent of the duty depends on the facts and circumstances of each case but ... Read more

Leaves of absence policyIn addition to annual leave, sickness absence and the various statutory rights to time off (for example, maternity leave, parental leave, paternity leave, time off for dependants, etc.), employees might ask to take time off wo... Read more

Holidays policyWorkers have a statutory right to a minimum of 5.6 weeks' (28 days') paid leave per annum. Whilst you'd think granting holidays and holiday pay is a relatively straightforward exercise, disputes over holiday pay are one of the most common... Read more

Capability procedureDealing with an employee's poor performance can be particularly difficult where you know they are simply incapable of fulfilling the tasks and duties expected of them in their role, so they aren't really to blame. Our capability pr... Read more

Disciplinary procedureDealing with conduct and other disciplinary matters is one of the most difficult challenges for any employer. Make a wrong move and an employee can exact a high price. And even if you've a good reason to take action, tribunals de... Read more

Grievance procedureYour grievance procedure should play a crucial role in how you deal with staff complaints. Use our procedure to set out the steps that an employee with a grievance relating to their employment should take, but be aware that they ca... Read more

GDPR data protection policyOur data protection policy statement reiterates the important data protection principles set out in the GDPR, outlines out how you intend to comply with them and clarifies what rights and obligations an employee has both in... Read more

Equal opportunities policyThere's no specific legal requirement for you to have an equal opportunities policy. However, discrimination because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, reli... Read more