Say it like you work here.

How an employer records and supports time off sick, and what happens if absence becomes a concern.

In a sentenceOur absence management policy says we'll have a chat after three separate absences.

The free, independent service that gives advice on workplace rights and helps employers and staff settle disputes.

In a sentenceBefore you do anything else, ring Acas and talk it through.

The tasks agreed in a meeting, with who is doing each one.

In a sentenceI'll send the action points round after the call.

Working in short planned bursts and changing direction quickly. Sometimes just means flexible about where and when you work.

In a sentenceWe're moving to agile working, so expect short weekly check ins.

Paid holiday. Most full time workers get at least 5.6 weeks a year, which can include bank holidays.

In a sentenceI've booked three days of annual leave for half term.

A formal review of your work, usually once or twice a year. Also called a performance review.

In a sentenceMy appraisal is next week, so I'm listing what I've achieved.

How much time or energy someone has spare.

In a sentenceI don't have the bandwidth for that this week, can it wait?

A public holiday. Whether you get it off, or get paid for it, depends on your contract.

In a sentenceDo we get the bank holiday off, or is it part of our leave?

Time off after someone close to you dies. Some is a legal right, and many employers give more.

In a sentenceI'll be on bereavement leave until after the funeral.

A colleague who helps a new starter settle in and answers everyday questions.

In a sentenceJo is your buddy for the first month, so ask her anything.

Whether someone can do their job to the standard needed, through skill or health. It has its own fair process, separate from conduct.

In a sentenceWe're following the capability process, with support and a review date.

Come back to a topic later.

In a sentenceLet's circle back to the budget on Friday.

Time off for a family emergency or a hard personal moment. Often at the employer's discretion.

In a sentenceMy manager agreed two days of compassionate leave.

How someone behaves at work. Conduct problems are handled through the disciplinary process.

In a sentenceBeing late isn't a capability issue, it's a conduct one.

When an employer seriously breaks the contract, so the employee resigns and treats it as being dismissed. Hard to prove, so get advice first.

In a sentenceDon't resign yet. Speak to Acas about constructive dismissal first.

The agreement between you and your employer. You should get the main terms in writing from day one.

In a sentenceCheck your contract of employment for the notice period.

A detailed look at one topic.

In a sentenceCan we do a deep dive on the customer complaints?

The things you've agreed to produce.

In a sentenceWhat are the deliverables for this project, and when?

The formal process an employer uses when there are concerns about conduct. You have the right to be accompanied at a disciplinary hearing.

In a sentenceI've been invited to a disciplinary hearing next Tuesday.

When an employer ends your employment. It has to be for a fair reason and done fairly.

In a sentenceShe was given notice of dismissal after the hearing.

An employer's responsibility to look after your health, safety and wellbeing at work.

In a sentenceWe have a duty of care, so let's do a stress risk assessment.

Employee Assistance Programme. A free, confidential helpline many employers offer for money, health and personal worries.

In a sentenceDid you know we have an EAP? It's free and confidential.

The guide to how an organisation works: policies, rules and benefits in one place.

In a sentenceThe employee handbook explains how to book leave.

The court that decides claims about work, like unfair dismissal or discrimination. You usually have to contact Acas first.

In a sentenceShe took her case to an employment tribunal and won.

Men and women doing equal work have the right to equal pay.

In a sentenceShe raised an equal pay concern after seeing the salary bands.

A conversation when you leave, about why you're going and what could be better.

In a sentenceHR asked me to do an exit interview on my last day.

A note from a doctor saying whether you're fit for work, and what might help you go back. Needed after seven days off sick.

In a sentenceMy fit note says I could come back on reduced hours.

Changing when, where or how long you work. Employees can ask from day one, and employers must deal with requests reasonably.

In a sentenceI've put in a flexible working request to start at 10.

When you're told to stay away from work during your notice period, while still being paid.

In a sentenceHe's on garden leave until the end of the month.

A formal complaint you raise with your employer about a problem at work.

In a sentenceI've raised a grievance about how the rota is being shared out.

Very serious misconduct, like theft or violence, which can lead to dismissal without notice.

In a sentenceFighting at work is treated as gross misconduct.

Your pay before tax, National Insurance and other deductions.

In a sentenceThe advert says £28,000, but that's gross pay.

Splitting your time between the workplace and home.

In a sentenceWe're hybrid, so two days in the office and three at home.

Your introduction to a new job: the people, the systems and how things work.

In a sentenceYour induction runs for the first two weeks.

A fact finding meeting before any decision about a disciplinary or grievance. It isn't a hearing.

In a sentenceIt's only an investigation meeting, so no decision has been made.

Key performance indicators. The numbers used to measure how well work is going.

In a sentenceOur main KPI this quarter is response time.

The person you report to directly.

In a sentenceCheck with your line manager before you book the training.

Include someone in an email or conversation.

In a sentenceCan you loop in Sam from finance?

The easy wins to do first.

In a sentenceLet's grab the low hanging fruit before the bigger changes.

Training everyone in a role must complete, often for safety or the law.

In a sentencePlease finish your mandatory training by Friday.

Up to 52 weeks off around having a baby, with statutory pay for part of it if you qualify.

In a sentenceShe starts maternity leave in March.

The lowest hourly pay an employer can legally pay, set by age. The top rate is called the National Living Wage.

In a sentenceCheck your hourly rate is at least the minimum wage.

Your take home pay, after tax and other deductions.

In a sentenceMy net pay went down when my pension started.

How much warning you or your employer must give before your job ends. Check your contract.

In a sentenceMy notice period is one month, so my last day is the 30th.

Health professionals who advise your employer on how to support you at work.

In a sentenceWe'd like to refer you to occupational health to see what would help.

An informal chat that isn't meant to be formally noted. In a dispute, it rarely stays fully private, so take care.

In a sentenceCan we have a quick off the record chat about the restructure?

Talk about it privately later, outside the meeting.

In a sentenceLet's take that offline after the call.

Agreeing and understanding things the same way.

In a sentenceBefore we start, let's check we're on the same page.

Everything that helps a new starter settle in, from paperwork to meeting the team.

In a sentenceOur onboarding covers your first 90 days.

A regular private meeting between you and your manager.

In a sentenceIn my one to one, I asked about training.

Hours worked beyond your normal hours. Whether it's paid depends on your contract.

In a sentenceIs overtime paid, or do we get time off in lieu?

Up to two weeks off for a partner when a baby arrives or a child is adopted.

In a sentenceHe's taking paternity leave the week the baby is due.

The record of your pay and deductions. Every worker has the right to one.

In a sentenceCheck your payslip for your tax code.

Most employers must put eligible workers into a workplace pension and pay into it.

In a sentenceYou'll be auto enrolled into the pension after your first payday.

A written plan with clear targets, support and a time frame to help someone reach the standard needed. Often called a PIP.

In a sentenceMy manager has put me on a PIP for eight weeks.

Send someone a quick message.

In a sentencePing me when the report's ready.

A trial period at the start of a job, often three to six months, with a review at the end.

In a sentenceMy probation review is in week twelve.

Changes an employer must make so a disabled person isn't at a disadvantage at work.

In a sentenceI asked for reasonable adjustments, including a later start time.

When a job is no longer needed. There must be a fair process, and you may be due redundancy pay.

In a sentenceThey've announced a redundancy consultation for our team.

Information a previous employer gives about you. Many only confirm your dates and job title.

In a sentenceCan I put you down as a reference?

A short chat after time off sick, to welcome you back and see what support you need.

In a sentenceWe'll do a quick return to work interview on Monday.

Your right to bring a colleague or trade union rep to a disciplinary or grievance hearing.

In a sentenceI'm using my right to be accompanied, and Priya is coming with me.

The check every employer must do to confirm you can legally work in the UK.

In a sentencePlease bring your documents for the right to work check.

The schedule showing who works when.

In a sentenceThe new rota goes up on Thursday.

A legal agreement to end employment, usually with a payment, where you agree not to make a claim. You must get independent legal advice.

In a sentenceThey've offered a settlement agreement, so I'm seeing a solicitor.

Pay while you're off ill. Statutory Sick Pay is the legal minimum, and some employers pay more.

In a sentenceDo we get company sick pay, or just statutory?

A conviction that, after a set time, you usually don't have to tell most employers about.

In a sentenceMy conviction is spent, so I don't need to mention it on this form.

The people affected by, or with an interest in, a piece of work.

In a sentenceLet's update the stakeholders before we launch.

Being told to stay away from work, on full pay, while something is investigated. It isn't a punishment.

In a sentenceShe's been suspended on full pay during the investigation.

Working together to get more done than you would separately.

In a sentenceThere's real synergy between the two teams.

Listen to feedback and use it.

In a sentenceThanks for the feedback, I'll take it on board.

Time off in lieu. Time off to make up for extra hours you've worked.

In a sentenceI worked Saturday, so I'm taking TOIL on Monday.

Have a quick catch up.

In a sentenceLet's touch base on Thursday to see how it's going.

An organisation that represents workers and can support you in disputes.

In a sentenceIf you're in a trade union, call them first.

The rules that protect your job and terms when the business you work for moves to a new owner or a contract changes hands.

In a sentenceThe contract is moving to a new company, so we'll transfer under TUPE.

Being dismissed without a fair reason or a fair process. You usually need a minimum length of service to claim, and this is changing to six months from 1 January 2027.

In a sentenceShe's thinking about an unfair dismissal claim.

Learn new skills for your job.

In a sentenceThe company is paying for us to upskill in data.

Reporting wrongdoing, like fraud or danger to health and safety. The law protects you from being treated badly for it.

In a sentenceHe made a whistleblowing report about the safety checks.

A label for talks meant to settle a dispute. What's said usually can't be used as evidence later.

In a sentenceThey asked for a without prejudice conversation about my exit.

How much work you have to do.

In a sentenceMy workload has doubled since Sam left.

A contract where the employer doesn't guarantee any hours. New rights around guaranteed hours are on the way.

In a sentenceI'm on a zero hours contract, so my shifts change every week.