Employment Law Articles

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

When Is It Legal To Ask Someone To Work For Free In The UK?

When Is It Legal To Ask Someone To Work For Free In The UK?

If you’re running a small business, it’s normal to need an extra pair of hands from time to time. Maybe you’re launching something new, you want to “try before you hire”, or...

29 March 2026
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CSR Activities Meaning: Examples And Legal Considerations For UK SMEs

CSR Activities Meaning: Examples And Legal Considerations For UK SMEs

If you’re running a small business, you’ve probably heard people talk about “CSR” like it’s a must-have. But what does CSR activities really mean for an SME that’s juggling cash flow, customers,...

29 March 2026
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How To Write A Legally Compliant Job Advert In The UK

How To Write A Legally Compliant Job Advert In The UK

Hiring can be one of the biggest “levelling up” moments for a small business - and one of the easiest places to accidentally create legal risk. A well-written job advert doesn’t just...

28 March 2026
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Vested Stock Options: Key UK Rules for Startups and SMEs

Vested Stock Options: Key UK Rules for Startups and SMEs

If you’re building a UK startup or scaling an SME, you’ve probably heard that “equity incentives” can help you hire, retain and motivate great people when cash is tight. But once you...

28 March 2026
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How To Buy An Existing Business In the UK: Legal Checklist

How To Buy An Existing Business In the UK: Legal Checklist

Buying an existing business can be one of the fastest ways to grow - you’re not starting from zero, you’re stepping into an operation with customers, suppliers, systems, and (hopefully) revenue already...

28 March 2026
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Bank Holidays vs Public Holidays: What UK Employers Need to Know

Bank Holidays vs Public Holidays: What UK Employers Need to Know

If you run a small business, “bank holidays” can feel like they come with a mix of practical headaches and legal uncertainty. Do you have to close? Do you have to pay...

27 March 2026
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How To Set Up A Gym In The UK: Legal Checklist For Your Fitness Business

How To Set Up A Gym In The UK: Legal Checklist For Your Fitness Business

Opening a gym is exciting - but it’s also one of those businesses where the “boring” legal foundations matter just as much as the branding, equipment, and first wave of members. If...

27 March 2026
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Company Dissolution: Meaning, When to Dissolve, and UK Legal Steps

Company Dissolution: Meaning, When to Dissolve, and UK Legal Steps

If you’re running a limited company that’s no longer trading (or you’re thinking about calling time on it), you’ve probably come across the phrase “company dissolution”. It sounds simple - “close the...

27 March 2026
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Who Pays Redundancy Pay in the UK? Employers’ Guide

Who Pays Redundancy Pay in the UK? Employers’ Guide

Redundancy is one of those moments in running a business that can feel both commercial and personal. If you’re facing reduced work, restructuring, or simply need to cut costs, it’s normal to...

27 March 2026
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Legal Essentials For Socially Responsible Businesses In the UK

Legal Essentials For Socially Responsible Businesses In the UK

Building a socially responsible business can be one of the smartest long-term decisions you make as an SME or startup. Customers are more values-driven than ever, investors and partners increasingly expect good...

27 March 2026
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UK Employer Settlement Agreements: What Employers Need to Know

UK Employer Settlement Agreements: What Employers Need to Know

When you’re running a small business, people issues can quickly become business issues. Maybe an employee relationship has broken down, performance isn’t improving, there’s a looming grievance, or you’re planning a restructure...

27 March 2026
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Ask a Lawyer Online: What UK Small Businesses Should Know Before Legal Advice

Ask a Lawyer Online: What UK Small Businesses Should Know Before Legal Advice

Running a small business means making decisions fast. You’re juggling customers, suppliers, staff, cash flow and a hundred admin jobs you didn’t know existed when you started. So when a legal issue...

27 March 2026
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How To Pool Employees For Redundancy Selection And Reduce Legal Risk

How To Pool Employees For Redundancy Selection And Reduce Legal Risk

Redundancies are never easy. For small businesses, they can feel especially personal - and the process can move quickly when cashflow is tight or trading conditions change. But if you’re reducing headcount,...

26 March 2026
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IR35 Rules: What UK Businesses Must Know When Hiring Contractors

IR35 Rules: What UK Businesses Must Know When Hiring Contractors

Hiring contractors can be a smart way to scale your business quickly, access specialist skills, and keep overheads lean. But if you’re not careful, contractor arrangements can also create unexpected tax risk...

26 March 2026
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Legal Essentials For Setting Up A Personal Training Business In The UK

Legal Essentials For Setting Up A Personal Training Business In The UK

Setting up a personal training business can be an exciting move - you’re building something that genuinely improves customers’ lives, and you’ve got plenty of ways to grow (1:1 coaching, small group...

26 March 2026
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Self-Certification Form Online: UK Sick Leave Rules For Employers

Self-Certification Form Online: UK Sick Leave Rules For Employers

If you employ staff, you’ll eventually deal with sickness absence - from short, one-off bugs to recurring conditions that need a bit more management. That’s where using a self certification form online...

26 March 2026
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Workplace Conduct In the UK: What Employers Must Include In Policies And Contracts

Workplace Conduct In the UK: What Employers Must Include In Policies And Contracts

When you’re running a small business, “conduct in the workplace” isn’t just a HR buzzword - it’s one of the biggest factors affecting productivity, team culture, customer experience, and your legal risk....

25 March 2026
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Capability Issues At Work: UK Employer Guidance On Performance Risks

Capability Issues At Work: UK Employer Guidance On Performance Risks

When you’re running a small business, your team’s performance can make or break your week. But when someone isn’t meeting the required standard, it’s not always a “disciplinary” situation. Sometimes, the real...

25 March 2026
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Are Non-Compete Clauses Enforceable In The UK? What To Know

Are Non-Compete Clauses Enforceable In The UK? What To Know

If you’re hiring your first few employees (or scaling quickly), it’s completely normal to worry about someone leaving with your clients, your product roadmap, or the know-how that makes your business work....

25 March 2026
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Is It Illegal To Drink At Work In the UK? Employer Legal Duties

Is It Illegal To Drink At Work In the UK? Employer Legal Duties

If you run a small business, it’s only a matter of time before this question comes up - whether it’s an employee having “just one” at lunch, Friday drinks on-site, or alcohol...

25 March 2026
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Business Acquisition Process In The UK: A Step-By-Step Legal Guide

Business Acquisition Process In The UK: A Step-By-Step Legal Guide

Buying a business can be an exciting shortcut to growth. Instead of building from scratch, you might be acquiring customers, staff, supplier relationships, IP, stock, equipment, and a proven market position in...

24 March 2026
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Legal Packages for UK Startups and SMEs: What’s Included and How to Choose

Legal Packages for UK Startups and SMEs: What’s Included and How to Choose

If you’re building a startup or running a growing SME, you’ll probably reach a point where you think: “We need to get the legal side sorted… but where do we even start?”...

24 March 2026
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At Risk Of Redundancy Letter In The UK: What Employers Must Include

At Risk Of Redundancy Letter In The UK: What Employers Must Include

Even in healthy small businesses, there are times when you need to reduce headcount - for example, when a key client contract ends, costs rise unexpectedly, or you’re restructuring to keep the...

24 March 2026
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Permanent Employee vs Contractor: Key Legal Differences in the UK

Permanent Employee vs Contractor: Key Legal Differences in the UK

If you’re hiring (or thinking about hiring) your first team member, one of the biggest early decisions is whether you need a permanent employee, or whether a contractor is the better fit....

24 March 2026
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Employment Law Articles - Page 9 | Sprintlaw UK