Insight

Understanding the regulations around night shifts in the UK is crucial for employers and employees who need to manage their work schedules and ensure compliance with the law.

Workforce planning is a systematic process in business that focuses on aligning an organization's human resource strategies with its long-term business objectives. Essentially, it involves anticipating current and future staffing needs and developing plans to meet those needs effectively.

What is time theft UK companies are facing, and how can this be prevented? Our 2025 guide to employee time theft will help you better understand the types of time theft, establish proper processes to conduct investigations within the legislative framework and provide you with the best tips and methods to avoid time theft altogether.

A staff rota app can offer features such as shift templates, real-time scheduling adjustments, and reporting tools, making it easier for businesses to allocate staff efficiently while reducing scheduling conflicts and labour costs.

The 5 over 7 shift pattern is becoming increasingly commonplace in various industries that require consistent coverage throughout a standard week.

Automating staff management with the right software solution while providing security guards with a powerful app designed to make their work easier and create custom reports for your clients will provide a competitive edge.

Payroll mistakes can lead to financial discrepancies, frustrated employees, and potential legal implications. To protect your organization from such errors and their consequences, it is essential to understand the types and causes of payroll errors while implementing strategies to avoid payroll mistakes in the future.

Download our free medical staffing timesheet template to track your employees’ work hours, calculate salaries and keep records of your healthcare organisation’s operations.

This article serves as a guide to all UK employers for calculating holiday accrual after the UK Supreme Court determined that the 12.07% holiday pay calculation method is incorrect for workers with irregular working patterns and pay.

Managing temporary employees involves not only integrating these workers into existing teams but also ensuring their compliance with workplace regulations and maintaining a high level of workplace morale.

As the world of digital transformation continues to grow in importance for all staffing industries, a dedicated guard tour system is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore for security companies that need to track and provide reports on guard tours for their clients.

IR35, also called the off-payroll working rules, determines the employment status of individuals providing services through their own company for tax purposes.

Starting a staffing agency involves strategic planning, a clear understanding of the staffing industry, and a solid foundation of business operations. Success in this venture requires thorough market research, financial planning, and a robust marketing strategy.

Night shifts in the UK are governed by specific regulations to ensure workers' health and well-being. It is crucial for both parties to be aware of the legal framework to avoid any breaches of the Working Time Regulations.

The process, known as the "right to work check the UK," involves assessing various documents or online confirmations using share codes provided by applicants to establish their work authorization status.

The 3 on 3 off shift pattern is a work schedule commonly used in industries that require 24/7 coverage, such as healthcare, law enforcement, and emergency services.

Adopting a 24/5 shift pattern provides businesses with a continuous workflow during the traditional working week. This setup involves covering the workplace operations across all hours from Monday to Friday, allowing businesses to maximize productivity while still giving employees two consecutive days off each week.

Workforce optimization encapsulates a blend of methodologies that leverage data analysis and technology to reduce operational costs while simultaneously increasing productivity across various departments.

For many, working during evening hours is an essential part of their job, accommodating customer service, healthcare, security, and other such industries that require round-the-clock coverage.

Shift patterns are essential frameworks within which organisations schedule their workforce to meet operational demands. They describe the systematic arrangement of work hours and rest periods, ensuring that employees are aware of their work schedules in advance.

We’ve compiled some of the most important points on what the job entails and how to prepare for it to get the most out of your experience.

Crafting a well-structured work schedule is crucial for maintaining organisational efficiency and ensuring that all tasks are completed within their respective time frames.

Temporary employment refers to a working arrangement where an individual is hired for a position that lasts for a limited, often predefined period. Unlike permanent jobs, these roles are designed to fill short-term needs for an employer, which can range from a few weeks to under a year.

From scheduling shifts to tracking time and handling employee leave, the best workforce management software solutions offer a myriad of functionalities to address the complexities of modern workforce administration.

Security guard software is a specialised suite of applications designed to enhance the operational efficiency of security personnel. These applications equip security companies with tools for scheduling, tracking, workforce management, and reporting.

Operating a security business in the UK necessitates ensuring all staff hold valid SIA licences. While obtaining initial licences is crucial, maintaining their validity is equally important. This guide will delve into the intricacies of SIA licence renewal, offering essential information for security companies and their employees.

Effective shift planning is a critical element of workforce management in various industries, ensuring that businesses can meet the demands of their customers while managing their labor force efficiently.

Download a free timesheet template best suited for your business needs. Our guide will provide a quick-start guide and help you understand the benefits of these templates.

A shift schedule is an organizational tool that dictates when employees are required to report to work and how often they rotate their shifts. It enables businesses to cover various operational hours by assigning employees to different time frames, which may include day, evening, or overnight hours.

Employers often request professional references to gain insights into a candidate's work ethic, skills, and experiences from a third party. This article will explore how to select appropriate individuals for professional references, the best practices for effectively listing them, and tips on what information your references should be prepared to provide.

Effective employee scheduling is more than just a logistical challenge. It's a strategic business imperative. How you schedule your staff will impact your business's productivity, employee satisfaction, and, ultimately, your bottom line.

A work schedule is a structured plan that outlines the specific days and hours an employee is expected to work. This can vary greatly depending on the type of job, the industry, and the individual preferences or requirements of both employers and employees.

Payroll can be stressful for any organisation: large amounts of variable data must be processed correctly and quickly. Your team may also have to calculate holiday entitlement and pay for casual workers; this only adds stress because it’s crucial to remain legally compliant and satisfy employees.

Rotating shifts are work patterns where employees alternate between different work hours, transitioning from mornings to afternoons or nights across days, weeks, or months. This form of shift rotation allows businesses that operate beyond the traditional 9-to-5 hours to maintain continuous operations.

The staffing industry plays a pivotal role in fulfilling workforce needs across diverse industries. Accurately determining the correct pay rate and bill rate for each shift is crucial for financial sustainability and maintaining a competitive edge in the market.

In today's landscape, opening a security firm becomes a viable option for entrepreneurs, and we are here to guide you on your first steps in this venture. This article will cover the steps necessary to start a security company, create a viable business plan and discuss other vital aspects to consider.

WFM solutions aim to align the skills and availability of workers with the needs of the organization, ensuring optimal use of human resources. In this article, we’ll explore the meaning of WFM, its significance in modern business practices, and how it can be effectively implemented within organizations.

Starting a security company in the UK requires careful planning, a clear understanding of the legal requirements, and a strategy for offering competitive services that meet client needs.

Recruiting, organising and scheduling stewards can be a challenging task, taking up a large amount of the match-day safety team's administrative resources. This article will discuss managing this process as efficiently as possible and reducing unnecessary workload and overhead costs.

What constitutes a cancelled shift, and when are shift workers entitled to compensation? Know the UK laws and make sure to use the most efficient workflows for the situation.

Shift work typically involves employees rotating through a cycle of set schedules, allowing businesses to continue operations outside of standard working times. In this article, we will explore the concept of shift work, its various forms, and its implications for workers and employers alike.

When employees leave a job, they often have concerns about their holiday entitlement and the associated pay they are due to receive. Understanding the specifics of holiday pay when leaving a job is crucial as rules and employer policies may vary.

Numerous case law precedents in which courts have clarified the term's application and boundaries have significantly shaped its interpretation and nuances over time. This article will explore the meaning of reasonably practicable, its implications for health and safety, and key case law that has informed its current understanding.

Offering time off in lieu can be a strategic tool for employers to manage extra work hours without incurring the additional expense of overtime pay. When managed properly, it can also increase employee satisfaction and productivity.

In this article, we will explore the meaning and implementation of probation periods, the legal considerations involved, and their significance for both the employer and the employee.

A 24-hour shift refers to a work period where an individual is on duty for a full day and night, often without a break for sleep. Employers in various industries, such as healthcare, emergency services, and manufacturing, regularly utilise this schedule to maintain continuous operations.

A pay adjustment refers to a modification in an employee's pay rate, which can encompass both increases and decreases in compensation. Various factors, including market rate alignment, changes in job responsibilities, or the cost of living considerations, may drive such adjustments.

The Pitman shift schedule is a specific kind of work roster designed to provide organisations with 24/7 coverage. Utilising four teams that work in 12-hour shifts over a two-week period, it is a system that allows for consistent staffing levels with set rest periods built in.

The DuPont shift pattern is a time-tested approach to 24/7 work schedules known for its 12-hour rotating shifts. Utilised by businesses that require round-the-clock coverage, particularly in industrial operations, this schedule deploys four teams over a 28-day cycle to ensure continuous operation.

The double days shift pattern is an arrangement where an employee may work two distinct periods within a single day, such as an early shift followed by a late shift, effectively covering a broad range of hours. this type of schedule is often seen in industries that require extended hours of operation or continuous service, like healthcare or law enforcement.

In this article, we will go over some tips you can easily apply to keep your security officers safe while at work, and how you can automatically make sure these measures are being applied, even when the shifts take place outside of your working hours.

The concept of the 40-hour workweek schedule has been a standard in the labor market for many decades, shaping how organisations plan their operations and how employees manage their work-life balance.

While there's no statutory obligation for employees to work overtime unless specified in their contracts, consistently working additional hours may lead to an expectation of overtime as a standard practice.

Staff shortage in healthcare has become a pressing issue, affecting hospitals and health systems worldwide. As the demand for health services continues to escalate, the supply of qualified healthcare professionals struggles to meet patient needs.

Some industries just cannot operate with 9 to 5 or any other weekly schedules and require rotational shifts to provide extended or even 24-hour coverage for positions. This article will provide you with a better understanding of what a rolling rota is, how and when to use it and why it’s beneficial or even crucial for many industries.

Being a good and effective communicator is one of the most valuable skills to have in business and within the workplace.

The UK has taken a significant step towards modernizing work culture through the implementation of the flexible working bill. Officially known as the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act 2023, it grants employees the right to request flexible working arrangements from the first day of employment.

Contracted hours refer to the set number of hours that an employee agrees to work as stipulated in their employment contract.

Shift patterns are essential frameworks within which organizations schedule their workforce to meet operational demands.

Drug testing at work is a common practice that many employers use to maintain a safe and productive work environment.

A casual contract represents an employment agreement that differs significantly from full-time or part-time contracts.

In the United Kingdom, staff who routinely work during the 'night period,' typically from 11 pm to 6 am, encounter unique pay conditions.

In the United Kingdom, the traditional business work week is understood to run from Monday to Friday, encompassing what are termed 'working days'. These are the days when most of the workforce engages in professional activities, typically between 9 am and 5 pm.

Severance pay is a form of financial compensation that employers provide to employees upon the termination of employment, either due to layoffs or other separation circumstances. It serves as a bridge for employees during their transition to new employment and is often accompanied by other benefits.

A payroll number is an essential element within a company's payroll system, serving as a unique identifier for each employee. This distinct sequence of numbers and letters helps businesses streamline the payment process, ensuring each transaction is attributed to the correct individual.

Rolled-up holiday pay is a payment method in the UK in which employees receive an incremental increase to their standard hourly pay in lieu of accrued holiday time. This pay is calculated as a percentage on top of the usual wage to account for holiday entitlement.

Understanding zero-hours contract holiday pay can be crucial for employers and employees working without fixed hours in the UK.

The continental shift pattern is an organized work schedule commonly used in operations that require 24/7 coverage, such as healthcare, emergency services, and manufacturing. It is designed to optimize operational efficiency by ensuring that a workplace is adequately manned at all times while providing employees with a predictable cycle of work hours.

The 4 on 3 off shift pattern is an innovative scheduling strategy utilized by organizations aiming to balance work demands with employee rest periods.

A 3 team 24/7 shift pattern is a scheduling system designed to maintain continuous operations, round-the-clock, seven days a week by employing three separate teams.

Establishing a 24/7 shift pattern is an essential strategy for businesses that require round-the-clock operations to meet client demands and maintain workflow continuity.

Firefighter shifts are a critical component of the emergency response infrastructure, ensuring that firefighter crews are available around the clock to respond to emergencies.

Working long hours has become an increasingly common aspect of the modern workforce, with some employees facing shifts that extend up to 16 hours. These marathon workdays can be found in a variety of industries, ranging from healthcare to retail, and often demand high levels of endurance and focus from workers.

The 4 on 2 off shift pattern is an increasingly popular work schedule adopted by various industries to ensure continuous operations while providing employees with regular intervals of rest.

A three shift pattern is a type of work schedule designed to ensure continuous operation or coverage over the entire day.

The 6 on 3 off shift pattern is an increasingly popular scheduling strategy used by various organizations that require round-the-clock operations, such as healthcare facilities and law enforcement agencies.

The 5 on 3 off shift pattern is becoming an increasingly popular scheduling framework for many businesses looking to optimize their operations across a seven-day week.

The Panama shift pattern is a unique scheduling system employed by organizations that require continuous, round-the-clock operations.

The 4 on 4 off shift pattern is a type of work schedule where employees work four consecutive days or nights, followed by four days off.

Working long shifts is a common practice in various industries, particularly those that require around-the-clock service or have peak business hours that necessitate extended work times.

A 10-hour shift work schedule is an alternative to the traditional 8-hour workday that many full-time employees are accustomed to. It involves working four days a week for 10 hours each day, allowing workers to enjoy a three-day weekend.

The term 'graveyard shift' refers to a work schedule that takes place late at night, typically beginning at midnight and lasting until early morning hours. Employees who work during these hours often find themselves in relatively quiet and less active environments, which is why the name evocatively references the quiet and solitude of a graveyard.

For individuals working on a 12-hour night shift, establishing a sleep schedule that allows for sufficient rest is critical. The challenge is to find a rhythm that mitigates the disruptive effects of working against the body’s natural circadian rhythms.

Working night shifts can significantly disrupt an individual's eating and sleep routine, with employees such as factory workers, healthcare professionals, and security personnel often starting their workdays while others are asleep.

The 2-2-3 work schedule is an innovative shift pattern used to manage work hours for industries requiring around-the-clock coverage.

What are the working time regulations UK employers and workers need to follow in 2024? This guide will help you understand how the European Working Time Directive applies to the UK employment law. We will provide you with the background information as well as real-life examples of how this affects UK working hours.

Rota management can definitely seem like a stressful process that needs continuous attention and can still be prone to errors. How to make a rota that works well for your business but keeps all your employees happy at the same time? This article will provide you with step-by-step instructions on rota planning. We will also discuss the best practices and highlight the benefits of an effective team rota.

UK labour legislation is a complicated area to navigate and can be confusing in multiple aspects. This article will guide you through the essential aspects of UK rota laws to provide you with a better understanding of how much notice an employer has to give for a shift change in the UK.

Download our free rota template to quickly calculate working hours and salaries. Read this guide to get quickly started.

Rolling rotas are essential scheduling patterns for providing 24-hour coverage while ensuring that all employees will have a healthy work-life balance and sufficient rest breaks to keep everyone healthy and motivated. This article will guide you through how to create a rolling rota. You can also download our 4-week rolling rota Excel templates to quickly get started.

Work rota abbreviations can help you make your scheduling processes quicker and communication more efficient. But what are they exactly, and how to use them? This article will explain the core benefits of work rota abbreviations and provide you with some of the most common abbreviations used to help you implement them into your rota management.