FAQs

What is considered workplace harassment?

Workplace harassment is any unwanted conduct related to a protected characteristic (e.g., age, race, sex, disability, religion) that creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment. Harassment can include verbal, physical, or non-verbal behaviour and can involve bullying, inappropriate jokes, or discriminatory comments  (For a free Managers Guide , go to  How To HR  – support section link)

For free managers guides and templates  –  Handling Harassment Guide (Support section)  👉 – https://breathingspacehr.co.uk/how-to-hr/

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Other questions we get asked about Support

Support

How do we handle disciplinaries?

Start with a fair investigation. Consider suspension only if necessary. If there’s a case to answer, invite to a hearing with evidence, allow a companion, decide an appropriate outcome, and offer a right of appeal.

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Support

Disciplinaries and grievances feel constant. How do we reduce them?

Invest in manager training, set clear expectations, keep documentation tidy, and resolve issues informally where appropriate. Consistency and early intervention prevent escalation.

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Support

What is the reason we calculate part-time employees’ holiday entitlement in hours rather than days?

Part-time employees’ holiday entitlement is calculated in hours rather than days to ensure fairness and accuracy, as their working hours may vary. This method accounts for their specific work patterns, making it easier to calculate their pro-rata holiday entitlement based on the actual hours they work compared to full-time employees. For free managers guides and […]

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Support

What if someone is absent without explanation (AWOL)?

Make repeated contact attempts, document everything, and invite them to a meeting. If no valid reason emerges, manage under your disciplinary policy.

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When is a formal investigation needed and what should it cover?

Use one wherever facts are unclear or allegations are serious. Gather evidence, interview relevant parties, keep notes, and assess credibility before deciding next steps.

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How do I legally lay off an employee?

Check the employment contract for a layoff clause. Provide written notice explaining the reason for the layoff. Offer statutory guarantee pay if eligible. Consult with the employee and explore alternatives (e.g., reduced hours). If the layoff is extended, consider redundancy procedures. The employee can also request redundancy. Employees can apply for redundancy and claim redundancy […]

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