Below is a UK-specific set of employment law–compliant workplace policies, aligned with UK legislation and ACAS guidance. These are the policies UK employers are expected to have or commonly provide.
Mandatory (or Effectively Mandatory) UK Employment Policies
1. Disciplinary & Grievance Procedure (Legally required)
- Must comply with the ACAS Code of Practice
- Covers misconduct, performance issues, investigations, hearings, and appeals
- Grievance process for employee complaints
2. Health & Safety Policy (Legally required if you have 5+ employees)
- Employer duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
- Risk assessments
- Accident reporting
- Employee responsibilities
3. Equal Opportunities Policy
- Compliance with the Equality Act 2010
- Prohibits discrimination, harassment, and victimisation
- Covers protected characteristics (age, disability, race, sex, etc.)
Strongly Recommended UK Policies
4. Anti-Harassment & Bullying Policy
- Sexual harassment prevention (updated expectations under Worker Protection Act)
- Reporting mechanisms
- Investigation and disciplinary action
- Protection from retaliation
5. Whistleblowing Policy
- Required for legal protection under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998
- Confidential reporting
- Protection against dismissal or detriment
6. Data Protection & GDPR Policy
- Compliance with UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018
- Employee data handling
- Monitoring, CCTV, and IT use
- Data subject rights
7. Flexible Working Policy
- Reflects the statutory right to request flexible working (from day one)
- Remote, hybrid, and flexible hours arrangements
- Employer response obligations
8. Family & Statutory Leave Policy
- Maternity, paternity, adoption leave
- Shared parental leave
- Parental bereavement leave
- Time off for dependants
9. Sickness & Absence Policy
- Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
- Reporting sickness
- Fit notes
- Absence management procedures
10. Pay, Working Time & Holidays Policy
- National Minimum Wage / Living Wage
- Working Time Regulations (48-hour week, rest breaks)
- Statutory holiday entitlement (5.6 weeks)
Common Additional UK Policies
- Code of Conduct
- Remote & Home Working Policy
- Social Media Policy
- IT & Acceptable Use Policy
- Training & Development Policy
- Drug & Alcohol Policy
- Menopause Policy (increasingly expected best practice)
- Diversity & Inclusion Policy
Documents Employees Must Receive
Under UK law, employees must receive a Written Statement of Employment Particulars on or before day one (not a policy, but critical).
Best Practice
- Policies should be reviewed regularly to reflect legislative changes
- Employees should sign an acknowledgement of receipt
- Align wording with ACAS guidance to reduce tribunal risk
📞 Call LBJ Consultants: 07984 568523 to arrange an appointment. or
🌐 Book your appointment (www.lbjconsultants.co.uk/contact-us/)
