The ACAS Code of Practice sets out how Employers should correctly manage staff issues, mainly around discipline and grievance, but there are a number of other common issues that Employers will need to manage on a regular basis and although the way in which these issues should be addressed may seem straightforward, the implications of getting things wrong can be significant both in terms of management time and cost to the business. To assist Employers to prevent problems and protect their businesses, Employment Law Services (ELS) have produced a set of HR Policy Documents specifically designed for SMEs
Covering: Holiday entitlement and taking holidays; sickness during periods of holidays; long-term absence and holidays; and arrangements on termination of employment
Covering how to deal with things informally; how formal performance meetings are carried out; performance improvement stages; dismissals for poor performance.
Covering reporting absence and evidence of incapacity; fit for work service; managing long term and persistent absence; and other types of absence.
Covering investigations; dismissal and other sanctions, examples.
Covering informal grievances; formal grievance procedure; right to be accompanied.
Covering understanding whistleblowing; raising a concern; protection and confidentiality; and external disclosures.
Covering consequences of drug or alcohol use/possession; drinking at work events; dealing with side-effects of prescription medication; and screening and searches.
Covering understanding bribery & corruption; what staff must not do; kickbacks, gifts, hospitality and expenses; and record keeping and staff obligations.
Covering an explanation of the data protection principles; how the company deals with data; instructions on how employees should handle data; and subject access requests.
Covering an explanation of modern slavery; what (not) to do if you are one of the company's suppliers; and what (not) to do if you are one of the company's employees.
Covering rules for using social media; business contacts; and problems on social media.
Covering different types of discrimination; duties and responsibilities for management and staff; recruitment and selection; and breaches and enforcement.
Covering understanding harassment & bullying; dealing with the problem; confidentiality; and protection.
Covering maternity leave and pay; shared parental leave; and paternity, adoption and ordinary parental leave.
Covering how to request flexible working; dealing with a flexible working request; and appeals and challenges.
Covering avoiding redundancies; making redundancies; sample selection criteria.
