FAQs

Christmas close down. What should I do if a new starter has not accrued sufficient holiday entitlement to cover the business shutdown period?

Options include:

Allow the new starter to take unpaid leave.
Offer them the option to take holiday in advance.
Allow them to make up the hours later, if feasible.
OR : Let them have the additional days paid and communicate this is a special circumstance for year 1.

Ensure the approach is clearly communicated and agreed upon in writing

For free managers guides and templates – Holiday requests and calculator template (Support section) 👉 – https://breathingspacehr.co.uk/how-to-hr/

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Other questions we get asked about Attract

Christmas close down. What should I do if a new starter has not accrued sufficient holiday entitlement to cover the business shutdown period?

Options include: Allow the new starter to take unpaid leave. Offer them the option to take holiday in advance. Allow them to make up the hours later, if feasible. OR : Let them have the additional days paid and communicate this is a special circumstance for year 1. Ensure the approach is clearly communicated and […]

Do I need to make notes during an interview of a potential new starter?

Yes, it’s a good practice to take notes during an interview for the following reasons: Record Key Points: Capture important details about the candidate’s qualifications and responses. Evaluate Objectively: Help compare candidates and make informed decisions. Legal Compliance: Notes can protect against potential discrimination claims by showing decisions were based on job-related criteria. Provide Feedback: […]

What is the law on Zero Hour contracts?

Employee Rights: Workers on zero-hours contracts are entitled to the same employment rights as other employees, including holiday pay, rest breaks, and protection against unfair dismissal, if they are classified as “workers” (not self-employed). No Obligation to Work: Workers are not required to accept work offered, but they must be paid for any work they […]

Can I withdraw an offer of employment even though the offer was only made verbally?

Yes, you can withdraw a verbal offer of employment, but it must be done carefully. A verbal offer is as legally binding as a written one, however you may still withdraw it but it may lead to potential legal consequences if the candidate has already relied on the offer (e.g., quitting another job, so a […]

Why is it important for me to ensure that my new starter has a legal right to work in the UK?

Ensuring a new starter has the legal right to work in the UK is important to comply with immigration laws, avoid potential fines or legal consequences, and protect your business from employing individuals who are not authorised to work (see support section for information on right to work checks). For free managers guides and templates […]

Can I interview a potential new starter on my own?

Yes, you can conduct an interview on your own, but it’s often recommended to have a second interviewer for better objectivity, diverse perspectives, and support in decision-making. Having multiple interviewers can help ensure a fairer and more balanced assessment.

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Attract

From CV screening and interviews  to right-to-work compliance

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From goal setting to  long-term employee retention

Develop

From recognition and communication to creating a positive workplace culture.

Support

From holiday calculations and maternity leave to redundancy and grievance management

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