Leave and Absence

What is the Paternity Leave (Bereavement) Act?

On the 24th of May 2024, the UK government passed the new ‘Paternity Leave (Bereavement) Act’. The act aims to provide vital support for bereaved fathers whose wives, adoptive, or birthing partners die. Let’s look at what the Paternity Leave (Bereavement) Act is, what the law includes, and how your business should support bereaving employees going personal loss of life.

Understanding the Concept of Garden Leave

In this guide, we'll discuss what garden leave is, employee rights during this type of leave, and the benefits it can bring.

Understanding Menstrual Leave

In this guide, we'll discuss what menstrual leave is, the benefits of offering it, as well as how you can create your own menstrual leave policy.

How to Manage Unpaid Leave in Your Company

In this guide, we'll discuss what unpaid leave is, the different types, and how to manage it successfully in your company.

Managing Sabbatical Leave in Your Business

Read our guide where we'll discuss what sabbatical leave is, how long it can last, and how to manage it in your business.

What is Shared Parental Leave and Who Can Use it?

When it comes to time off for parents, employees have several rights and requirements. To gain a suitable work-life balance, your staff can apply for Shared Parental Leave.

Worker sickness causing huge rise in costs to businesses

The hidden annual cost of employee sickness is up £30 billion since 2018 according to a new report published by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR)

Ask Kate: Can I make my employee take a holiday? Help!

This caller wanted advice about whether they could require their employee to take annual leave. So they asked Kate Palmer, Peninsula’s Employment Services Director, for expert advice.

Work and Pensions Secretary sets out details of Back to Work Plan

The new Work and Pensions Secretary, Liz Kendall, has confirmed the Government’s commitments to its manifesto Back to Work Plan arguing that it is critical to plans to secure sustained economic growth

Prime Minister sets out reform measures to tackle 'sick note culture'

Almost 11 million fit notes were issued last year, with an overwhelming 94% of those signed “not fit for work”. And that, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said, is a problem that must be tackled with more help for people to get the appropriate support they may need to remain in work.

Reform to SSP and fit notes proposed

Given the high rates of sickness absence in the UK, there have been recent calls for reform of both the Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) system and the fit note process.

MPs call for statutory sick pay increase

The amount of statutory sick pay (SSP) should be increased to match the rate of statutory maternity leave as current system is not providing enough support for sick workers, MPs said

Download Your Free Return to Work Form Template

It's important to keep a record of your return to work meeting on file when your employee's been off work with sickness. Download your free ready-made return to work form template to keep track of staff absences now.

Free Written Warning for Sickness Absence Template

If you have never created a written warning letter for sickness absence before, there's no need to stress - Peninsula has a template you can download for free.

Employees have a statutory right to take time off work to deal with emergencies involving a dependant. It is often mistaken for the right to take time off for any kind of emergency, however, it is not.

Free Annual Leave Template

This employment law guide explores the basics of employee annual leave entitlement and offers guidance on how to avoid common pitfalls.

This employment law guide explores the basics of sickness absence and offers guidance on how to avoid common pitfalls.

This employment law guide explores the basics of maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental & parental leave and time off for dependants and offers guidance on how to avoid common pitfalls.