Small business payroll management in the UK often feels straightforward at the beginning. With a small team, fixed salaries and a simple monthly routine, payroll can seem like just another administrative task. But as your business grows, it rarely stays that simple. What was once a quick process can become increasingly complex, bringing compliance responsibilities,
Employment contracts in the UK are one of the most important documents in your business. They define expectations, protect your organisation and give employees clarity from day one. For many small businesses, contracts are drafted when someone joins and then left untouched for years. But employment law doesn’t stand still. Legislation evolves, case law develops
In retail, first impressions matter, and not just for customers. New starters also make a big impression in their first few weeks. That’s why probation periods in retail are such a critical tool for managing early performance, assessing fit, and improving retention from day one. At its core, a probation period is a trial run.
The Autumn Budget for 2025/26 introduces several employment and payroll changes that will directly affect UK businesses. From National Insurance and wage increases to company car benefits and new payroll reporting rules, these measures will influence how you budget, recruit and manage staff in the years ahead. Here is a clear breakdown of the updates
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed a UK minimum wage increase, set to take effect from April 2026. This forms a central part of her Budget announcement and reflects the government’s ongoing efforts to support low-income earners in the face of persistent cost of living challenges. From April, the National Living Wage (for over-21s) will rise
As we move closer to 2026, now is a good time for small and medium sized businesses to take a fresh look at their employee handbook. An SME employee handbook in 2026 should do more than just cover the basics. It needs to reflect how your business actually operates, keep you legally compliant and give
When you’re running a small business, it’s easy to push HR tasks to the bottom of the to-do list. But without the right policies and systems in place, you could be leaving your business exposed to serious legal risks. If you’re looking to reduce legal risk in your small businesses, getting your HR documents and
The Government’s Employment Rights Bill is set to bring sweeping changes to UK employment law. With a phased rollout from April 2026 through to 2027, employers must prepare now to avoid costly compliance missteps. Here’s what you need to know and what your business should be doing to get ahead. What is the Employment Rights
