Only half of UK businesses have up-to-date HR policies

Less than half (49%) of businesses know whether their HR policies are compliant with current law, according to new research from Consult GEE, the employment law advisors. Nearly a third (32%) thinks they need new or updated handbook policies, suggesting many companies are not operating within current employment law.

A quarter (25%) of the respondents admit they need to update their HR and legal policies, while one in 10 (11%) do not see any need to renew their policies.

The research findings also reveal that:

The average time spent on updating HR policies by the HR management team is one day a month.

Key polices, such as maternity leave, equal opportunities, discipline and grievance, and absence are typically reviewed less than twice a year.

Respondents tend to take a statutory approach to maternity leave (71%), while the same number goes beyond the statutory minimum for holiday entitlement (72%).

More than half (55%) of the respondents communicate policies via company meetings, while nearly half (48%) tell staff face-to-face about updates in the law.

The research was conducted among 204 businesses during the summer and confirms the need for an automated, time-saving system. Consult GEE developed its online Document Builder service at the end of 2004, which allows users to construct letters, employment contracts and staff handbook policies on screen and to update them online. Users are also alerted to changes in legislation, ensuring documents are always legally compliant.

HR professionals can request a demonstration of Document Builder by emailing documentbuilder@consultgee.co.uk or visit www.docbuilder.co.uk.

Stuart Chamberlain, employment law expert at Consult GEE comments:

ìEmployment law is complex and often confusing. It is constantly being changed by court and tribunal decisions. The pace of new legislation and of new demand never seems to slack. It is therefore essential that employers understand the implications of these changes and that their policies and procedures are updated immediately to comply with the law. The cost of getting it wrong, is potentially very high.î