HR policies and procedures

Find HR policies templates, as well as procedures for all of your HR requirements – drafted by experts for small businesses. 

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HR templates

Find the HR policy you need 

Absences and time off

Sickness and absence policy

Attendance policy

Birthday leave policy

Annual leave policy

Disciplinary and grievance

Grievance policy

Bullying and harassment policy

Disciplinary policy

Disciplinary procedure

DE&I

Equal opportunities policy

Menopause policy

Read more

Diversity and inclusion policy

Flexible working

Hybrid working policy

Miscellaneous

Health and safety policy

Mobile phone policy

Data protection policy

Lone working policy

Read more

Welcome to our HR policy hub 

What is an HR policy? 

An HR policy is a document that standardises the way a company deals with each situation – it’s made of a set of right, responsibilities, company values, compliance with UK law for both employees and employers. 

How can use this HR policy hub? 

Our HR policy hub allows you to: 

  • Find HR policies template crafted by HR experts in house and suitable for small businesses 
  • Put together HR procedures based on templates provided by our HR advisors
  • Understand what HR policies and HR templates need to include with helpful advice in our blogs 
  • Download HR policies and HR procedures for free 

No need for you to search for reliable content – you’ve found it. Our HR policies are here to help, and they’ve all been reviewed by our CIPD-qualified experts. 

Absences and time off

Sickness and absence policy 

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Sickness and absence policy

Supporting your employees during illness isn't just a matter of compassion; it also reduces the impact of absenteeism on your business. The quicker they recover, the sooner they can resume peak performance.

This article aims to guide you in striking that balance, creating a sickness absence policy that is both empathetic and equitable, while establishing transparent guidelines and expectations for return-to-office protocols.

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Understand how to deal with any type of absences and sickness at your business

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Download a free sickness and absence policy template

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Find out more about Charlie’s own policy 

Attendance policy 

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Attendance policy

It's expected that team members fulfill their work commitments, however, and without clearly defined expectations, there's a risk of someone exploiting the situation.How can you mitigate this risk? By developing a strong attendance policy.

Not only does it provide a safeguard in the event of attendance issues, but it also fosters an environment of equity and responsibility. Find out more in this article.

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Get the basis to create your own attendance policy

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Download a free attendance policy template for your business

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Get advice from an HR expert on the subject 

Birthday leave policy 

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Birthday leave policy

The practice of providing birthday leave is gaining popularity, especially among small businesses. It reflects a broader trend in the UK small business landscape, where there's a shift towards offering more employee-centric benefits.

Exploring new HR policies and procedures to enhance the well-being of team members, all while ensuring the financial sustainability of the business, is crucial. In this blog, find guidance on what a birthday leave policy could entail for your small business and get insights on how to develop one effectively.

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Understand how different businesses deal with birthday leave policy

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Find out whether it’s worth implement a birthday leave policy for your business

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Download a birthday leave policy template for free

Annual leave policy 

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Annual leave policy

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Crafting an annual leave policy isn't a one-size-fits-all endeavour. Small businesses must determine what aligns best with their operations and remain flexible to adapt HR policies as their business evolves.

Defining the purpose of your annual leave policy is crucial, albeit nuanced. At Charlie, we recognise this complexity, which is why we've assembled this guide to assist you in drafting your own annual leave policy.

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Get a complete guide written by one of our HR experts to build your annual leave policy 

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Download our annual leave policy template for free

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Have a look at the 8 mandatory sections your annual leave policy should always include

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Disciplinary and grievance

Grievance policy

Required by UK law

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Grievance policy

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Developing a grievance policy for the workplace is not only a legal obligation but also a daunting task if you've never tackled it before.

In this guide, we'll delve into what a grievance policy is, its role in supporting the grievance procedure, and provide a complimentary grievance policy template so you can use it or customise it if you need to.

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Understand what a grievance policy should be made of and how to implement a grievance procedure 

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Download a grievance policy template for free

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Help protect your business with this mandatory policy

Bullying & harassment policy

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Bullying & harassment policy

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Unchecked workplace bullying and harassment have detrimental effects on company culture, team performance, and employee mental health. In essence, they breed nothing but negativity.

Toxic work cultures arise when instances of bullying and harassment are disregarded, downplayed, or permitted. However, as business owners and HR professionals, it is our responsibility to foster inclusive workplaces defined by fairness, safety, accountability, and confidence. Find out how your bullying and harassment policy can help you do that. 

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Understand what bullying and harassment are

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Download a free bullying and harassment policy template for your business

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Protect your team members by learning about best practices to prevent bullying and harassment

Disciplinary policy

Required by UK law

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Disciplinary policy

Your disciplinary policy plays a pivotal role in fostering a productive and equitable workplace environment.

It upholds workplace norms and guarantees compliance with UK employment regulations. 

An effectively crafted disciplinary policy not only safeguards the rights of your employees and team members but also establishes the groundwork for a workplace characterised by fairness, transparency, and mutual respect. Find out more in our guide.

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Get a basic understanding of what elements need to go into a disciplinary policy

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Download a free disciplinary policy template crafted by HR experts

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Find out about the common challenges of building a disciplinary policy for your business

Disciplinary procedure  

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Disciplinary procedure

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When facing allegations of employee misconduct, navigating the fine line between fairness and kindness, justice and consistency, and, above all, legal compliance is no easy task, especially when individuals' careers and livelihoods are at stake.

This challenge becomes even more pronounced within small businesses, where close-knit relationships, frequent interaction, and shared workspace or digital platforms like Slack amplify the impact of interpersonal dynamics throughout the company culture. Find out more about building a procedure in our guide.

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Understand all the steps you need to take to have a complete and legally compliant disciplinary procedure

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Download a free disciplinary procedure template

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Find out more about how to handle disciplinary appeals

DE&I

Equal opportunities policy

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Equal opportunities policy

The trajectory of our life's success is heavily influenced by numerous factors beyond individual influence – skin color, ethnicity, gender, physical attributes, and socio economic status play significant roles.

Policies promoting equal opportunities aim to level the playing field for individuals hindered by circumstances beyond their command. Don’t see it as a tick-box exercise. Find out more in our guide. 

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Make the most out of your equal opportunities policy in this guide

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Download a free equal opportunities policy template

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Understand why having an equal opportunities policy for your business is crucial

Diversity and inclusion policy

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Diversity and inclusion policy

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Navigating diversity and inclusion can pose a challenge. Small business owners and junior HR practitioners often approach this topic fearfully, worried about missteps that could alienate employees or potential candidates.

However, in today's landscape, diversity, equality, and inclusion go further than mere checkboxes. To thrive in a competitive market, proactive measures are essential to cultivate a workplace that attracts and retains top talent. Find out more in our guide. 

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Understand what the top pillars of DE&I are and how to build your policy

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Download a free DE&I policy template 

Menopause policy

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Menopause policy

If you're tasked with drafting a menopause policy, it's common to feel uncertain or inexperienced. Many small business owners share concerns about addressing menopause-related issues correctly.

However, to foster a supportive workplace environment and showcase genuine concern for employee well-being, it's essential to incorporate this into your HR policies. Find out more in our guide. 

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Understand how a menopause policy can contribute to your DE&I goals  

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Download a free menopause policy template

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Create a policy that will put you at the forefront of forward-thinking employers

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Flexible working

Hybrid working policy

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Hybrid working policy

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Hybrid working has proven its value, enduring beyond the pandemic's social distancing requirements.

This model combines the benefits of traditional office collaboration with the flexibility and autonomy of remote work, presenting the ideal blend of both environments. Find out more on how to implement it in our guide. 

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Understand the difference between hybrid working and other types of flexible working

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LeaDownload a free hybrid working policy templatern how to describe the accident

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Help your business decide whether hybrid working could be a good fit 

Miscellaneous

Health and Safety policy

Required by UK law

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Health and Safety policy

Every UK business with over five employees must have a health and safety policy in place, as it's not only a recommended practice but a legal requirement. Non-compliance can lead to significant fines and severe legal repercussions.

Beyond legal obligations, such a policy demonstrates genuine concern for employee welfare, emphasising a commitment to their well-being. Implementing measures to ensure their safety fosters a positive work environment, enhancing job satisfaction and productivity among team members – find out more in our guide. 

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Remain compliant by having all the steps for health and safety at work in place depending on your industry

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Download a free health and safety policy template

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Understand the measures you need to take to protect your team members and your business

Mobile phone policy

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Mobile phone policy

Establishing a mobile phone policy to address any concerns regarding privacy or productivity can prove highly beneficial, if not indispensable. This is particularly crucial when implementing a remote work or hybrid model.

Here’s a comprehensive guide on crafting your mobile phone policy, highlighting its significance and practical steps for implementation.

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Understand how to increase productivity and protect your business from data breach

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Download a free mobile phone policy

Data protection policy

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Data protection policy

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Drafting a data protection policy can seem daunting, with a myriad of details to understand and potential pitfalls to navigate.While grasping the fundamentals of your HR policies is essential, deciphering complex regulatory language to find clear, comprehensive answers can prove challenging.

Without a firm grasp of data protection regulations, ensuring compliance for your small business becomes a daunting task – we make it easier for you in our complete guide.

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Understand all the essential elements a data protection needs to include

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Download a free data protection policy template for your business

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Protect your business from data breach with a policy that leaves nothing behind

Lone working policy

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Lone working policy

Implementing a lone working policy is vital for employees operating in isolation, serving as a crucial support system. In the event of an incident, emergency, or the need for assistance, this policy acts as a safety net.

Find out more on how this can be achieved in our complete guide on lone working.

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Understand what can qualify as lone working 

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Download a free policy template for your lone working employees

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