HR Tip: When to issue contractual statements

These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Q: “Exactly when should we issue written statements of terms and conditions of employment?” A: Every employee with one month of service is entitled to a written statement of terms and conditions of […]

HR Tip: Rates for overtime work

These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Q: “What rate of pay or premium do we have to pay for overtime work?” A: There is no statute governing payment for overtime. There may be rates of pay or premium set […]

HR Tip: Payment during suspension

These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Q: “There was a fight so we sent the two combatants home to cool off and to give us chance to interview witnesses. Should we have paid them?” A: Yes, they remain your employees […]

HR Tip: Proof of drunkenness

These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Q: “We believe that one of our employees turned up for work drunk one afternoon. We could not however prove it so took no action. Could we have acted differently?” A: You should […]

HR Tip: Carrying over holidays

These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Q: “A few of our employees have told us that they were not able to take all their holiday last year and want to take it this summer. Are they entitled to do […]

HR Tip: Relaxation classes

These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Q: “A pregnant employee has asked for time off to attend relaxation classes at her local clinic. Do we have to allow her time off? If so, do we have to pay her […]

HR Tip: Open University course

These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Q: “One of our employees has enrolled for the Open University and has asked if she can have time off to attend summer schools, which will be part of her course. Are we […]

HR Tip: Moonlighting

These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Q: “One of our employees works for us full-time during the day but also has a part-time job in the evenings. Is this a problem for us? Should we do something about it?” […]

HR Tip: Custom and practice

These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Q: “Although our contracts of employment require people to work nine to five Monday to Friday they leave at about 4.00 pm on Fridays. Can we bring them back to a 5.00 pm […]

HR Tip: Sex discrimination

These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Q: “A man has applied for a job. If he gets it he will be the only man in a workroom of forty women. This seems hardly fair. What should we do?” A: […]

HR Tip: Dismissal settlements

These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Q: “We wish to dismiss an employee but do not want to go through a lengthy process. Neither does he. He will accept a sum of money that we have agreed. How can […]

HR Tip: Refusing SSP

These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Q: Can I refuse to pay Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) to a man if I doubt that his self-certified sickness was genuine? A: Yes, provided you have carried out a thorough investigation and […]

HR Tip: Re-engagement following redundancy

These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Q: We made a man redundant nine months ago but now want to re-employ him. How do we stand, particularly with regard to his redundancy pay? And what is his continuity of service? […]

HR Tip: Return from maternity leave

These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Q: A woman on maternity leave wishes to return early but has given us only one week's notice to do so. Can she do this? A: If she informed you about her pregnancy […]

HR Tip: Qualifying for employment protection

These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Q: I understand that employees with one year of service acquire employment protection, that is to say there must be a good reason for dismissing them. Is there a minimum number of hours […]

HR Tip: Grievance procedure

These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Q: We do not have a written grievance procedure. We deal with issues as fairly as possible. Do you see any problems? A: Indeed I do because you are failing to comply with […]

HR Tip: Value of informal warnings

These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Q: How useful are informal warnings? A: Incredibly useful! An informal warning is more than a word in the ear, but is not a formal warning that has to be given following a […]

HR Tip: Role of companion

These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Q: What is the role of the companion in disciplinary hearings? A: The role of the companion is to hold the hand, metaphorically, of the accused and ensure that their rights are respected. To […]

HR Tip: Contractual Changes

These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Q: We have agreed a change in overtime arrangements and thus a change in terms and conditions. Should we issue new contracts? A: No, there is no need to issue new contracts unless […]

HR Tip: New evidence following disciplinary sanction

These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Q: We dismissed an employee following a thorough investigation and properly conducted disciplinary hearing. All the evidence pointed to his guilt. Now however we have received new evidence that shows that he was […]