What Is the Difference Between Gross Misconduct and Notice Pay?
(Or: “You Can’t Just Stop Paying Someone Because You’re Cross”) There’s a moment in some businesses when tempers are high and someone says: “That’s gross misconduct. They’re out. No notice. No pay.” And payroll quietly thinks: “Right… let’s slow this down before this gets expensive.” Because while gross misconduct and notice pay are linked, they […]
What Is the Fair Work Agency and Why Should Employers Care?
(Or: “Because Payroll Enforcement Is Getting an Upgrade”) If you’ve been happily running payroll thinking enforcement is just “HMRC occasionally sending letters,” I have news. The Fair Work Agency is coming. And no, this isn’t just another government rebrand. It represents a shift in how workplace rights — including pay — will be enforced in […]
New Employment Rights & SSP Changes from April 2026
(Or: “If You Thought Sick Pay Was Simple Before…”) April 2026 is not a small tweak year. It’s a “right, we’re doing this properly now” year. The Employment Rights Act 2025 brings significant payroll-related changes into force from 6 April 2026, and the biggest operational impact for employers? Statutory Sick Pay. Let’s walk through what is […]
HMRC and Maternity Grants for Small Businesses
(Or: “Yes, You Do Get Some of That Back — If You Do It Properly”) When an employee tells you they’re pregnant, the focus quite rightly shifts to support, planning and making sure everything runs smoothly. Then payroll steps in and quietly asks: “Right. What are we paying, for how long, and what can we […]
How Should Tronc Payments (Tips) Be Processed in Payroll?
(Or: “Just Because It’s a Tip Doesn’t Mean It’s Simple”) Tips sound straightforward. A customer leaves a little extra.The team shares it.Everyone’s happy. Except payroll, which immediately asks: Who controls the tips?Who distributes them?Are we deducting tax?What about National Insurance?Is this a tronc?Who is the troncmaster?And is HMRC going to agree with all of this? […]