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.

What's stopping small firms from achieving net zero carbon?

27 April 2021

As the government announces ambitious climate change targets, a new poll has found that many businesses are not sure how to reduce their carbon footprint.

The UK government has set in law a new target to cut carbon emissions by 78% by 2035 compared to 1990 levels. This will bring the UK more than three-quarters of the way to net zero carbon by 2050.

A new survey of over 700 members of the Institute of Directors (IoD) has found that four in five directors (83%) agree that it is important for their organisation to operate in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way. However, only one in four of those polled (24%) say they fully understand the way in which their organisation can lower its carbon footprint and meet net zero carbon goals. Additionally, a third of members feel that the costs associated with moving towards net zero goals in their organisation are prohibitive.

"The battle against climate change has quickly become one of the biggest challenges businesses face today," said Joe Fitzsimons, IoD senior policy advisor. "Sustainability is an important priority for IoD members, and as many businesses join the efforts to decrease their carbon footprint, it is vital they have access to the necessary resources and tools."

The IoD is calling on the government to do more to inform and incentivise UK firms. "Uncertainty among businesses in overcoming both the costs and the methods required to reduce their carbon footprint proves the necessity for government-led action," said Fitzsimons. "An attainable long-term strategy including green investment incentives, improved access to relevant expertise, and funded reskilling in environmental best practices would be welcomed by businesses committed to navigating sustainability goals … it is imperative that the government does all it can to help alleviate the practical hurdles they encounter."

An online tool has been specifically designed to help small firms find ways to reduce their carbon footprints. The Your Carbon Calculator created by Small99 asks business owners 30 questions, covering everything from supply chains to how employees get to work. Once completed, the tool provides users with an overview of their scores, highlighting where they can make the most improvements.

"Too many small businesses are struggling to find practical advice that actually applies to how their business operates," said Adam Bastock from Small99.

"Getting wrapped up in measurements and numbers takes the focus off making practical decisions … in fact, we often see that a barrier to change is fear of doing something wrong.

"We want to inspire business owners, not put them off. To do so, we need to look at the total carbon budget of the company. From the cars staff are driving to work, to their delivery vans, to what their waste recycling looks like and materials used in their packaging."

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.