Employment Law Articles
Expert articles and practical legal guides on employment law for uk businesses.

In Scope Of IR35: What It Means For UK Businesses And Contractors
If you hire contractors (especially through personal service companies), you’ve probably heard the phrase “in scope of IR35” - and wondered what it actually means for your business day-to-day. It’s a fair...

What Must UK Workplaces Provide by Law?
When you’re running a small business, it’s easy to focus on the day-to-day priorities - sales, customers, staffing, and keeping things moving. But if you employ people (or even if you’re setting...

Key Advantages Of Becoming A Franchisor In The UK
When your business is growing, it’s normal to start asking the big question: how do I scale without burning out (or draining my cashflow)? For many UK founders, franchising becomes the next...

UK Statutory Redundancy Pay 2024/25: Rates, Eligibility And Rules
Redundancy is one of those business decisions no small business owner wants to make - but sometimes it’s unavoidable. If you’re reducing headcount because the business is restructuring, a site is closing,...

What Is a Non-Compete Clause in the UK? Employer Guide
If you’re hiring your first employees (or scaling fast), you’ll probably hear the question sooner or later: what is a non-compete clause, and do you need one in your contracts? A non-compete...

Can HR Ask Questions in a Disciplinary Hearing in the UK?
If you’re running a small business, disciplinary hearings can feel like a high-stakes conversation - especially when HR is in the room and the employee is already on edge. A question we...

Can Restrictive Covenants Be Enforced In The UK? Non-Compete Clauses
Hiring and training great people is one of the biggest investments you’ll make as a small business. So it’s completely normal to worry about what happens if a key employee leaves, takes...

Holiday Cancellation Rights: What UK Employers Can (and Can’t) Do
In a small business, annual leave isn’t just a HR issue - it’s a staffing and operations issue. One key person goes off on holiday at the wrong time, and suddenly you’re...

Can You Be a Sole Trader and an Employee at the Same Time in the UK?
If you run (or are thinking about starting) a side business while also being on someone’s payroll, it’s completely normal to ask whether you can be a sole trader and an employee...

How Startup Culture Accidentally Creates Legal Risk
Think startup culture keeps things lean and smart? It can also quietly create serious legal risk when speed and informality replace structure.

Redundancy Pools: Fair Selection Criteria for UK Employers
Redundancy is one of the toughest parts of running a small business. Even when the commercial reasons are clear (cash flow pressures, reduced demand, a restructure, or a site closure), the legal...

Collective Employment Law in the UK: When It Applies to Your Business
If you’re running a small business, “employment law” usually makes you think about individual issues - contracts, holiday requests, performance management, and (sometimes) tricky exits. But there’s another layer that can catch...

How To Own A Franchise In The UK: Legal Steps, Contracts And Pitfalls
Owning a franchise can feel like the best of both worlds: you get to run your own business, but you’re not starting from scratch. There’s usually an established brand, a proven operating...

How To Dismiss Staff Fairly And Legally In The UK
Dismissing staff is one of those parts of running a small business that no one looks forward to. But sometimes it’s necessary - whether because performance isn’t improving, conduct has crossed a...

Business Demerger Explained: How Demerging Works for UK SMEs and Startups
If your business has grown (or pivoted) faster than your original structure can handle, you’re not alone. A lot of UK SMEs and startups reach a point where one company is trying...

Are Bank Holidays Mandatory In The UK? Employer Rules On Time Off And Pay
If you run a small business, bank holidays can feel like a minefield. Customers still expect service, staff may assume they’re “off”, and payroll questions start coming in fast. So let’s clear...

How Employers Can Prevent Workplace Discrimination In The UK
If you run a small business, you’re probably juggling a lot - hiring, customer demands, cashflow, and keeping the team motivated. But one question comes up again and again for employers who...

How To Value A Small Business In The UK
If you’re wondering how to value a small business in the UK, you’re not alone. Valuation comes up all the time for founders and SME owners - whether you’re selling the business,...

2024 Paternity Leave Changes: What UK Employers Need To Know
If you run a small business, paternity leave can feel like one of those HR areas that only becomes “urgent” when a team member tells you they’re about to become a parent....

What Is a Sale of Assets? Key Terms for UK Asset Purchases
If you’re buying an existing business (or part of one), you’ll usually be offered one of two deal structures: a share sale or an asset sale. For many small business owners, an...

UK Whistleblower Protection: Employer Obligations And Risk Management
Most small business owners don’t wake up thinking, “Today’s the day I’ll deal with whistleblowing.” But if you employ people (or engage individuals in a way that could give them “worker” status),...

Status Determination Statement (SDS) Template for UK IR35 Compliance
If you engage contractors through their own limited companies (or other intermediaries), IR35 and the off-payroll working rules can quickly become one of those “we’ll deal with it later” compliance tasks. But...

Redundancy Pay Meaning in the UK: Employer Essentials
Redundancy is one of those moments in a small business where the “legal” and the “human” sides collide. You might be doing the right commercial thing (reducing costs, restructuring, closing a location),...

Corporate Mergers in the UK: A Practical Guide for SMEs and Startups
Corporate mergers can be an exciting growth move for UK SMEs and startups - but they’re also one of the easiest ways to inherit risk if you don’t plan properly. Maybe you’ve...
Need help with your business legals?
Speak with Sprintlaw to get practical legal support and fixed-fee options tailored to your business.

