(England & Wales)
Create your employee handbook with workplace conduct standards, leave policies, disciplinary procedures, health and safety, and anti-discrimination guidelines.
Professionally drafted — structured following UK employment law requirements for England and Wales.
Download a professionally drafted employee handbook template for UK businesses. Also known as a staff handbook, company handbook, or employee policy manual. Covers workplace conduct, equal opportunities, anti-discrimination and harassment policies, disciplinary and grievance procedures, sickness absence, annual leave, maternity and paternity leave, flexible working, health and safety, data protection and UK GDPR, social media policy, and whistleblowing procedures. Structured following UK employment law requirements for England and Wales.
Whether you prefer step-by-step guidance or a traditional form, both methods produce the identical professionally-formatted employee handbook. Choose the style that suits you.
One screen at a time — less overwhelming, nothing missed.
Everything on one page — faster if you know what you need.
🔒 Your data never leaves your device — saved locally in your browser only
♻️ Unlimited use — generate handbooks for every team
One flexible template that adapts to your industry — select your sector and we'll pre-fill policies with sensible defaults for your workplace.
Protect your business with clear workplace policies, procedures, and expectations that ensure compliance and consistency
Establish consistent workplace rules, standards of conduct, and company policies that all employees understand from day one.
Demonstrates compliance with employment law including health & safety, equality, data protection, and provides defence against tribunal claims.
Written policies support fair disciplinary action and dismissals, essential evidence for defending unfair dismissal claims.
An employee handbook — also called a staff handbook or company policy manual — is a comprehensive document setting out workplace policies, procedures, and employee rights that every UK employer should provide alongside the written statement of employment particulars.
A comprehensive Employee Handbook should clearly cover:
Our handbook includes all essential sections for UK workplace requirements.
Without a written employee handbook, businesses face inconsistent policy application, difficulty defending employment tribunal claims, and potential breaches of UK employment law requirements including the duty to provide written terms under the Employment Rights Act 1996.
Outdated policies that don't reflect current law, policies that contradict employment contracts, missing mandatory procedures (grievance, disciplinary), no clear absence management, inadequate social media guidelines, missing flexible working policies, and unclear remote working terms. These gaps cost UK businesses millions in tribunal awards annually.
A £20 handbook prevents £10,000+ tribunal claims, reputational damage, and legal costs.
This employee handbook template covers workplace conduct, equal opportunities, anti-discrimination, disciplinary procedures, grievance procedures, sickness and absence policies, annual leave, family leave entitlements, flexible working, health and safety, data protection and UK GDPR compliance, and whistleblowing procedures.
Professional, comprehensive, and ready to implement immediately.
Related documents: Most employers issue a handbook alongside an Employment Contract and Disciplinary & Grievance Procedures. For casual workers, see our Zero Hours Contract.
Common mistakes include copying American HR policies, failing to update for UK law changes, omitting mandatory policies like health and safety and data protection, and not having employees acknowledge receipt of the handbook.
Our handbook helps avoid these pitfalls with professionally drafted, legally defensible policies.
Yes. Our handbook is structured following UK employment law including Employment Rights Act 1996, Equality Act 2010, Working Time Regulations 1998, Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and GDPR.
It includes ACAS-aligned disciplinary and grievance procedures. Handbooks themselves are typically not contractual (we include a non-contractual disclaimer) but support your legal obligations and defence at tribunal.
Most businesses complete standard handbooks without one.
Our template is professionally drafted and covers all standard workplace requirements.
Provide each employee with a copy (printed or digital) and have them sign an acknowledgment form confirming they've received and read it. Keep signed acknowledgments on file.
For new employees, issue the handbook on their first day. For existing employees, communicate changes clearly and provide reasonable notice before implementing significant policy changes.
Yes, but you must reserve the right to make changes in the handbook itself (our template includes this).
For significant changes affecting contractual terms (pay, hours, benefits), you need employee consent or follow contract variation procedures. For non-contractual policy changes, consult with staff and provide reasonable notice.
Always issue updated versions and obtain fresh acknowledgments.
Employment contracts contain binding terms and conditions (pay, hours, notice periods, job title) that can only be changed by mutual agreement.
Handbooks contain operational policies, procedures, and expected behaviours that are typically non-contractual (unless specifically incorporated into contracts).
Handbooks explain how the business operates day-to-day, while contracts establish the legal relationship. Both are essential but serve different purposes.
You receive free lifetime updates — no subscription required, no monthly fees, ever.
We monitor UK law changes and update templates accordingly. When we release an updated version, it appears free in your My Templates page. No extra charges. No recurring fees.
£20 one-time. That's it. No subscriptions, no recurring fees, no "free trial" traps.
Here's what we don't do: Other sites advertise "free templates" — you spend 15 minutes filling one in, then they demand your card for a "free trial" that charges £35–£42/month when you forget to cancel. Worse, many are US-based and won't hold up under UK law. (Read about the scam)
We're different: £20 upfront for the document you actually need. Build it, preview it, pay only when you're happy. Own it forever with free lifetime updates. Based on UK law. No subscription fatigue.
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