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UK maternity leave rules: a guide for employers

Becoming a mother marks an important stage in every personal and professional journey. From an HR perspective, it comes with a list of quite a few things to consider: legal obligations, staffing gaps, pay arrangements, and compliance. Amidst all that, supporting the health and wellbeing of pregnant employees should always stay a priority. 

What is paternity leave in the UK and how should employers manage it?

Paternity leave is a statutory employment right that allows eligible employees to take time away from work following the birth or adoption of a child. For employers, understanding how paternity leave in the UK works is essential for meeting legal obligations, ensuring payroll accuracy, and maintaining workforce continuity. The rules governing paternity leave are set out in legislation and supported by guidance from public bodies, but practical implementation still requires careful management.

What is the legal lunch break entitlement in the UK?

Employees often ask the same practical questions: How many hours do I need to work before I get a lunch break? Is it paid? What does the law actually require? For employers, the challenge is balancing legal duties with genuine care for staff wellbeing.

Best Clocking In Systems UK (2025): The Complete Comparison Guide

Choosing the right clocking in system means matching technology to your operational reality: the conditions your team works in, the security you need, and whether your workforce operates from fixed locations or moves between sites. Today’s employee clocking-in options range from industrial terminals that survive construction sites to smartphone-based time clock systems for remote workers.

What is Time Off for Dependants and How Does It Work in the UK?

When an employee’s child falls ill unexpectedly or their parent suffers an accident, work becomes secondary to the immediate crisis. UK employment law recognises this through a statutory entitlement known as time off for dependants, or dependants’ leave—a legal safeguard permitting employees to address genuine emergencies involving those who depend upon them.

What Is Employee Lateness, and How Should Employers Deal with It?

Learn how to monitor, document and address employee lateness at work, build a fair policy, and support managers with reliable data as we dive into how to deal with staff lateness, using duvet days to prevent chronic late arrival times.

Compassionate Leave in the UK – How HR Can Manage It Effectively and Fairly

When someone experiences a bereavement, the last thing they should worry about is navigating unclear workplace policies. Yet studies revealed that 22% of British workers felt they weren’t granted enough time off to grieve, while 43% weren’t offered paid leave to attend a funeral.

What Is Absenteeism? Definition, Causes, and How to Reduce It in the Workplace

Employee absenteeism represents one of the most significant challenges facing UK businesses today. When staff members regularly miss work without valid reasons, the effects extend beyond empty desks—impacting team morale, productivity, and your bottom line. Understanding what drives absenteeism at work and implementing effective management strategies can transform workplace culture while protecting business performance.

Understanding Overtime in the UK — Rules, Pay Rates and Holiday Entitlements

Over five million people in the UK regularly work unpaid overtime, according to TUC research – a figure that highlights the poor understanding of overtime rights. For HR professionals, this confusion poses a genuine risk, as miscalculated holiday pay, unclear contractual terms, and inadvertent minimum wage breaches are all very real consequences of mismanaged overtime.

Calculate overtime pay instantly with Kelio’s free UK overtime calculator.