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

An employee’s been absent for a while. What should we do?

Keep in touch sensitively, hold review meetings, seek medical/Occupational Health advice. Consider reasonable adjustments, and follow your absence/capability policy. Treat long-term sickness fairly and consistently.

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Support

If an employee is sick during their notice period do I pay SSP or normal pay?

You pay normal pay if the employee is off sick and unable to work during their notice period.

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Support

How do I manage an unfair dismissal claim?

Follow Procedure: Ensure that the dismissal followed a fair process, including investigation, warnings, and opportunities for improvement. Document Everything: Keep detailed records of performance issues, warnings, and any meetings or communications. Provide Reasoning: Be clear about the reasons for dismissal, ensuring they are valid and consistent with company policies. Offer Appeal: Allow the employee to […]

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Support

We’re a start-up with nothing in place. What’s legally essential?

Written employment contracts, core policies (disciplinary, grievance, absence, equality, data protection), Ro-work checks, payroll and auto-enrolment, Basic H&S, and compliant onboarding. Add a staff handbook as you grow.

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Support

What is the law on maternity/paternity leave?

maternity leave is 52 weeks (26 weeks ordinary and 26 weeks additional), with statutory maternity pay (SMP) for up to 39 weeks. Paternity leave is 1 or 2 weeks, with statutory paternity pay (SPP) for up to 2 weeks. Both are subject to eligibility criteria.

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Support

HR admin takes too much time. How can we streamline it?

Adopt an HRIS for leave, records, and documents; standardise templates; and automate onboarding/offboarding checklists and reminders.  Call Breathing Space as we provide Admin support!

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