I can’t stress enough how important your employment policies are. They are your business’s instruction manual and ensure that you… 

• Stay legally compliant 
• Set clear expectations 
• Act consistently and fairly 
• Protect you and your business 

And with all the new laws that Labour are introducing, it’s vital to make sure you have the right policies in place. 

Do you have the right policies in place for 2025? 

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) provides comprehensive guidance on HR policies that UK businesses should consider implementing. While some policies are legally required, others are recommended to promote best practices and align with organisational objectives. 

Here are the only policies you legally need to have – surprised?! 

1. Health and Safety Policy: This policy is mandatory for organisations with five or more employees and outlines the company’s commitment to maintaining a safe working environment. 
2. Disciplinary and Dismissal Policy: Employers must have clear procedures for managing employee misconduct and performance issues.
3. Grievance Policy: A grievance policy provides a structured process for employees to raise concerns or complaints about workplace issues, ensuring that they are addressed promptly and fairly. 

But – and it’s a big but…………… 

There are many policies which are considered to be best practice and follow ACAS guidelines, which in essence means you should have them! We always recommend to our clients that they put all of their policies into one place and that’s via an Employee Handbook. This of it as your company’s go-to manual – it is the cornerstone of your workplace resources, containing all the vital information and guiding principles of your business in one central resource. 

A great Employee Handbook facilitates clear communication, ensures a cohesive employee experience and streamlines the onboarding process for your new joiners. It also helps to shine a light on your company culture, creating an inclusive and supportive environment.  

While the format often varies, as a rule of thumb an Employee Handbook typically includes the following: 

•  A warm welcome message  
• Some interesting facts about your company’s history, mission, ethos and core values 
• An overview of your employee benefits and perks 
• A collection of fair and legally compliant workplace policies that outlines how you deal with things like conduct, performance and disciplinary matters 

Your Employee Handbook should serve as a comprehensive guide, outlining both your expectations as an employer and what your employees can expect from you. As well as being informative, it should be engaging, visually appealing and fully accessible to all. 

Whilst an Employee Handbook in their own right are not legally required, failing to provide an Employee Handbook could leave you vulnerable to legal risks, including discrimination and unfair dismissal claims. It could also lead to confusion among employees, making it more difficult to enforce rules consistently or ensure fair and consistent treatment amongst all employees.  

For a full list of policies you SHOULD have, take a look at our policies checklist, and if you’ve got any policies missing, get in touch and we can provide you with the policies you need or we can create an Employee Handbook that’s just right for your business.