Which HR policies are a legal requirement in the UK?

If you run a small business in Horsham and across Sussex, Surrey or anywhere across South-East England, staying on top of employment law isn’t just a nice-to-have it’s a must in 2025.

At MJV Consulting, we regularly work with small business owners who come to us when there’s already an HR issue brewing. Whether it’s a grievance, a tricky disciplinary, or a problem with sickness absence, the first thing we often discover is that their HR policies are outdated, or even, missing entirely.

Our latest blog sets out the HR policies that are legally required in the UK, the changes coming soon, and how you can make sure your business stays compliant and protected.

Which HR Policies are required by law?

Let’s start with the basics. These are the minimum HR policies or procedures you must have in place as an employer in the UK:

1. Disciplinary and Dismissal Policy

You must have clear written procedures that follow the ACAS Code of Practice for handling disciplinary matters and employee grievances.

2. Health and Safety Policy

If you employ five or more people, you are legally required to have a written health and safety policy. This should include your approach to risk management and keeping your workplace safe.

3. Grievance Policy

It is a legal obligation that employees have access to a written grievance policy should they need to formally raise concerns or complaints.

What about other policies?

Some HR policies aren’t strictly required by law, but they’re strongly recommended, especially if you want to avoid disputes and protect your business. These include:

• Equal opportunities and anti-discrimination Policies
• Bullying and harassment Policy
• Absence and sickness Policy
• Maternity, paternity, and parental leave Policy
• Training and Development Policies
• Flexible working requests
• Data Protection Policy

Failing to have these policies in place can leave your business vulnerable, especially when staff raise issues or bring claims.

Employment Law changes you can’t afford to ignore

The UK’s employment landscape is about to shift significantly with Labour’s proposed Employment Rights Bill. Here are some of the most important changes small business owners should prepare for:

• Sexual Harassment

New legislation is increasing employers’ responsibility to prevent harassment. If your policies don’t already cover this clearly, now’s the time to act.

• Unfair Dismissal from day one

The current two-year qualifying period for unfair dismissal claims could be scrapped. That means you’ll need robust onboarding, probation, and performance processes in place from the start.

• Flexible Working

Flexible working is becoming a day-one right. You’ll need a clear, legally compliant procedure for handling requests fairly.

• Sick Pay from Day One

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) will be payable from the first day of absence not after four days. Your sickness policy should reflect this.

What you can do now

If you’re unsure whether your current policies are up to scratch, or you’re not sure where to start, we can help.

At MJV Consulting, we offer a Legal Risk Assessment and HR Audit service for Small Businesses that includes:

• A full review of your HR documents and contracts
• A compliance check based on current and upcoming law
• A clear plan to fill any gaps and protect your business

We work exclusively with small businesses across Horsham, Crawley, Haywards Heath, Burgess Hill and throughout Sussex and Surrey, so we understand the unique challenges you face and how to solve them without overcomplicating things.

Book your HR Legal Risk Assessment today

Avoid unnecessary risks, legal claims, and sleepless nights. Get your HR documents reviewed and your business protected.