Skip to main content
Practical employment law information to support your business, from Clover HR

Search

Setting up a business involves complying with a range of legal requirements. Find out which ones apply to you and your new enterprise.

Every business needs to be aware of its obligations under minimum wage and equal pay laws, as well as recent pensions auto-enrolment changes.

What particular regulations do specific types of business (such as a hotel, or a printer, or a taxi firm) need to follow? We explain some of the key legal issues to consider for 200 types of business.

While poor governance can bring serious legal consequences, the law can also protect business owners and managers and help to prevent conflict.

You must comply with legal restrictions on employees' working hours and time off, or risk claims, enforcement action and even prosecution.

The right employment policies are an essential part of effective staff management. Make sure any policy is clear and well communicated to employees.

Whether you want to raise finance, join forces with someone else, buy or sell a business, it pays to be aware of the legal implications.

While sick employees need to be treated fairly, you need to ensure that 'sickness' is not being used as cover for unauthorised absence.

Marketing matters. Marketing drives sales for businesses of all sizes by ensuring that customers think of their brand when they want to buy.

Most pregnant employees are entitled to maternity leave and maternity pay, while new fathers are entitled to paternity leave and paternity pay.

Commercial disputes can prove time-consuming, stressful and expensive, but having robust legal agreements can help to prevent them from occurring.

As well as undermining morale, illegal discrimination can lead to workplace grievances. Employee discrimination is covered by the Equality Act 2010.

Whether your business owns or rents premises, your legal liabilities can be substantial. Commercial property law is complex, but you can avoid common pitfalls.

Home, remote and lone workers are becoming increasingly commonplace. Key issues include communication and how to manage and motivate people remotely.

With information and sound advice, living up to your legal responsibilities to safeguard your employees, customers and visitors need not be difficult or costly.

The right approach to consulting with and providing information to your employees can improve employee motivation and performance.

As information technology continues to evolve, legislation must also change. It affects everything from data protection and online selling to internet policies for employees.

Disciplinary and grievance issues can be a major burden to employers. Putting in place and following the right procedures is essential.

Following the right dismissal and redundancy procedures helps protect your business and minimise the risk of a legal dispute at tribunal.

Intellectual property (IP) isn't solely relevant to larger businesses or those involved in developing innovative new products: all products have IP.

Employment tribunal claims are a worrying prospect for any employer. A tribunal case is a no-win situation – even if the claim is unjustified.

Knowing how and when you plan to sell or relinquish control of your business can help you to make better decisions and achieve the best possible outcome.

From bereavement, wills, inheritance, separation and divorce to selling a house, personal injury and traffic offences, learn more about your personal legal rights.

Brits show small businesses more love as pandemic hits

3 November 2020

New research has found that coronavirus lockdowns have boosted the nation's loyalty to small businesses, with 59% of Brits saying they now support local businesses more than previously.

The poll of 1,000 UK shoppers, commissioned by American Express and Small Business Saturday UK, highlights the important role small firms have played in supporting their communities through lockdown, with many pivoting to offer people new products and services.

Small Business Saturday is a key event in the calendar for UK small businesses; it encourages consumers to "shop local" to support their communities. This year's event is set to take place on Saturday 5 December; it will come just days after the end of the second lockdown on 2 December - as long as it is not extended.

"This crisis has brought home just how much small firms are at the heart of our communities," said Michelle Ovens, director of Small Business Saturday.

"They have been there for customers and shown strength, determination and agility in coping. It's no wonder that support for Britain's small businesses is rocketing. It's vital we continue to support small businesses as this crisis continues, which is why we are determined to make this year's campaign the most impactful ever."

The Small Business Saturday campaign is also highlighting the ingenuity of small firms across the UK. The Tom Foolery Coffee Company in Shoreham-by-Sea, owned by Bob and Vanessa McCulloch (pictured), came up with a new retail product line during the first lockdown, as well as building a new takeaway counter.

"COVID-19 has been tough for our business, but support from our community has been amazing. People have been very appreciative of the changes we have made and got behind us," said Vanessa McCulloch.

Now in its eighth year in the UK, Small Business Saturday has grown significantly each year with an estimated £800m spent in small businesses across the UK on the day last year, with a record turnout of 17.6 million people choosing to shop local that day alone.

Small Business Saturday was originally founded by American Express in the US in 2010. "Our local communities are richer and more vibrant for the presence of these independents and people across the UK are behind them like never before," said Dan Edelman, general manager UK, Global Merchant and Network Services at American Express.

"It's so important that we all continue to support our favourite local small businesses and we're proud to play our part as principal supporter of Small Business Saturday and through our own Shop Small campaign."

In the run-up to Small Business Saturday UK, the campaign will kick off with an online tour in November, virtually visiting more than 33 towns and cities across the UK.

Written by Rachel Miller.

Stay up-to-date with business advice and news

Sign up to this lively and colourful newsletter for new and more established small businesses.