Absence/attendance
HR professionals in the UK face some unique challenges and employment issues in the summer of 2026. These include increased uncertainty over workers' annual leave plans because of world events; public transport disruption leading to attendance issues; and a heatwave meaning that employers should monitor workplace temperatures to ensure that they do not become unreasonable. It is also a World Cup year, which brings its own specific problems around absence, holiday and conduct.
Employers are likely to see a significant amount of interest among their workforces in the World Cup 2026, so they should plan ahead to make the most of the impact that this large sporting event can have on staff morale, while also aiming to minimise disruption.
Return to work meetings are central to absence management, but they're not the only tool employers rely on. Drawing on insights from HR professionals at the Brightmine sick pay and absence webinar, we explore the practical tools organisations use to manage absence effectively, and why both consistency and flexibility matter.
The Employment Rights Act 2025 packs an imposing number of employment law reforms into its 289 pages.
In the latest part of our series exploring the detail of the Employment Rights Act 2025, we look at the expansion of eligibility for statutory sick pay and the potential impact on employers.
The 2024 Uefa European Football Championship - Euro 2024 - kicks off tonight with hosts Germany taking on Scotland in Munich. Twenty-four nations are taking part between 14 June and the final on 14 July. Employers should plan ahead to make the most of the impact that this large sporting event can have on staff mental health and morale, while also planning ahead to minimise disruption.
We look at what HR needs to do to meet its employment law obligations and prepare for the coming year.
With further strikes taking place in January 2023, nationwide industrial action on the railways continues into the new year, effectively shutting down the rail network and causing ongoing travel disruption for millions of employees. Stephen Simpson answers five common questions from employers on the workplace impact of travel disruption.
The 2022 World Cup in Qatar sees 32 nations taking part in 64 matches from Sunday 20 November until Sunday 18 December. Employers should plan ahead to make the most of the impact that this large sporting event can have on staff mental health and morale, while also planning ahead to minimise disruption.
The expansion of the group of healthcare professionals who can now issue fit notes can have a positive impact on employers' sickness absence management procedures, writes XpertHR principal employment law editor Stephen Simpson.
Commentary and insights: HR and legal information and guidance relating to absence/attendance.