Free HR Policies/Templates and Advice
In these difficult economic times we provide important HR resources for new and growing small businesses all free of charge.
Human Resource Solutions is a human resource management consultancy specialising in supporting small businesses. Welcome to our website!
We know that many of you running a small businesses simply can't afford access to professional HR advice or guidance. We also know that as soon as you start employing staff it is vital to ensure you get it right to prevent costly mistakes. This website is provided on a pro bono (free) basis to help you do just that.
On this website you will find a large number of (hopefully!) useful free resources. For example numerous HR policies and procedures templates can be downloaded (in MS Word format) from the links on the left and adapted for your own business. We also have a blog where numerous frequently asked questions are answered, and a facility for you to ask one of our consultants a question by email - we'll respond usually within 24 hours.
This is a busy website - we have thousands of page views every month and provide answers to dozens of questions. In fact we have well over 300 template downloads every day! To keep this resource free for you we have some adverts and affiliate links scattered throughout the site - hopefully you will not find these too intrusive.
If you are new to this website, you might want to start on our Get Started page.
2024 sees some significant changes in employment law which employers should be aware of:
The Protection from Redundancy (Pregnancy and Family Leave) Act 2023
Currently, employees on maternity/adoption/shared parental leave have enhanced protections in redundancy situations,
including the right to be offered a suitable alternative vacancy over other employees at risk, if one is available.From 6 April 2024 The Act expands this protection to include pregnant employees,
from the moment they notify their employer of their pregnancy, through to 18 months after childbirth.
Carer’s Leave Act 2023
From 6 April 2024, this Act will grant a new entitlement of one week of unpaid leave annually for employees who care for dependants with long term needs.
This right to leave will be available to all employees from day one of employment.
The Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023
From
October 2024, this law will amend the Equality Act 2010 to introduce a duty on employers
to take “reasonable steps” to prevent sexual harassment of their employees.Where sexual harassment cases reach the employment tribunal, tribunals will have the power
to uplift compensation by up to 25% if an employer is found to have breached this new duty.
Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act 2023
From 6 April 2024, employees will have the right to request flexible working from day one of employment (rather than after 26 weeks which is the position currently).Employees will also be able to make
two requests in any 12-month period, up from one.
Holiday Pay
The Government will introduce a new annual leave accrual method of 12.07% of hours worked for irregular hours and part-year workers, and allow employers to pay these workers ‘rolled up’ holiday pay provided certain
conditions are met. This new regime will be applicable in respect of holiday years beginning on or after 1 April 2024.
As well as the above regulations we expect further changes to be made in the near future. The draft Miscarriage Leave Bill when it comes into force will look to introduce three days of paid leave for people who have experienced baby loss before 24 weeks of pregnancy. Furthermore the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023 which comes into force in April 2025 will grant parents of new born babies who are hospitalised in their first 28 days of life for 7 days or more, the right to take neonatal leave and pay for up to 12 weeks.
All our template policies and procedures are reviewed annually and any necessary amendments such as those required by the above legislation changes are made.
