UK LEGISLATION REQUIRING WRITTEN POLICIES
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Organisations are legally required to communicate certain policies to employees, contractors and visitors.

Here is a list of those compulsory policies, plus additional policies recommended for good employment practice and other regulatory compliance.

Policy Legal Req't Legislation Enforce Date Key Messages
Conduct, disciplinary yes Part of the Employment Act 2002 . Requires employers and employees to follow a minimum 'three-step' procedure - involving a statement,a meeting and the right to appeal.

Dealing with harassment, victimisation and bullying

yes

Sex Discrimination Act 1975

Race Relations Act 1976

Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003

Disability Discrimination Act 1995

The Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003

Safety at Work Act 1974,

Employment Rights Act 1996

Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998

Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992

. There is no specific legislation which deals with bullying or harassment at work,however, several pieces of legislation include these topics. ACAS confirms that employers have a duty of care to employees and a complaint of bullying and harassment which is not addressed could lead to a claim at an employment tribunal of constructive dismissal.
Equal opportunities yes

Sex Discrimination Act 1975

Race Relations Act 1976

Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003

Disability Discrimination Act 1995

The Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003

Employment Equality (Age) regulations 2006

. It is illegal to discrimate against employees on the grounds of sex, race, disability, religous belief, sexual orientation or age. Organisations need a policy declaring their position.
Health and safety yes

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

29/12/1999

Organisations with more than 5 employees need to have a written health and safety policy statement. This should set out how an organisation manages health and safety.

Leave and absence

 

yes

Working Time Regulations 1998

Employment Act 2002

Employment Act 2002 (Dispute Resolution) Regulations 2004

.

By law, employees and workers are entitled to four weeks’ paid annual holiday.

Legislation requires employers to provide staff with information on 'any terms and conditions relating to incapacity for work due to sickness or injury, including any provision for sick pay'

Maternity/paternity/adoption yes

The Work and Families Act 2006

Parental Leave Regualtions 1999

Maternity Leave Regualtions 1999

01/04/2007 Employees have rights to paid leave as prosective and new parents. Keep policies up to date with latest changes including flexible working rights.
Pay yes

National Minimum Wage Act 1998

The Equal Pay Act 1970

 

The minimum wage is a legal right.

It is unlawful for employers to discriminate between men and women in terms of their pay and conditions where they are doing the same or similar work.

Working hours and overtime

yes Working Time Regulations 1998 .

By law, employees and workers are entitled to four weeks’ paid annual holiday.

With some exceptions, Workers cannot be forced to work for more than 48 hours a week on average.

External Work . . . .
Measures to improve performance or manage change . . . .
Patents and copyrights . . . .
. . . .
Rewards, benefits and expenses . . . .
Right of Search . . . .
Training . . . .
Use of company facilities, eg email, Internet and phone use . . . .
Whistleblowing . . . .
Drugs and Alcohol . . . .

Confidential information

. . . .