January HR Housekeeping: The Policies Employers Should Review Now

New Year, New Policies! January is a great time to set the standards for the year, get ahead of upcoming employment law changes and prove to your team that your people policies are important.

Key HR Policies to Review or Update This January

1. Flexible Working Policy

We know that the employment rights bill is bringing some changes to flexible working laws, but we're not expecting to see this become law until 2027. In the meantime, we're likely to see an increase in flexible working requests, so ensure you have a policy in place now:

☑ Ensure it reflects current law and business practice.

☑ Include how employees can request flexible working and how you’ll respond.

☑ Clarify hybrid or remote work expectations.

2. Hybrid/Remote Working Policy

With more flexible working requests comes more remote working. Prepare for this now by setting out your expectations around how remote working happens within your business:

☑ Update to capture expectations around equipment, homeworking allowances, and data security.

☑ Clarify communication standards, availability, and office attendance requirements.

3. Absence & Sickness Policy

One employee issue we can guarantee every business will experience at some point is sickness absence. Absences happen, but it can be really detrimental to your business if you don't manage absences effectively:

☑ Confirm how sickness reporting and certification works.

☑ Clarify arrangements for self-certification vs fit notes.

☑ Ensure long-term sickness procedures are clear.

4. Holiday & Time Off Policy

☑ Align holiday year and rollover rules with current practice.

☑ Confirm how bank holidays are treated (in addition to or as part of statutory leave).

☑ Set expectations for peak season leave requests.

You might also want a separate policy to cover other types of leave.

5. Health & Safety Policy

If you have 5 or more employees, a Health & Safety policy is essential. However we recommend having one regardless of the number of people you employ. Your Health & Safety policy should cover your basic health & safety principles in your business and:

☑ Update any risk assessments post-holiday season (e.g., winter hazards).

☑ Clarify reporting procedures for incidents and near misses.

☑ Reference mental health support and well being as part of safety.

6. Performance Management & Probation Policy

If your appraisals happen in March, January is the perfect time to ensure that your policies are up to date!

☑ Ensure reviews and probation procedures are clearly described and fair.

☑ Include timelines, feedback mechanisms, and escalation steps.

☑ Reflect any changes to performance check-in tools or schedules.

7. Recruitment & Selection Policy

The way in which you recruit & select people in your business sets the tone for their employment with you. A Recruitment & Selection Policy helps you to be consistent and compliant in your approach to hiring

☑ Refresh to ensure non-discriminatory language and inclusive practice.

☑ Confirm background checks, references, and right-to-work processes.

☑ Add guidance on interviews, recording decisions, and GDPR compliance.

9. Grievance & Disciplinary Policy

☑ Ensure it’s aligned with current ACAS guidance.

☑ Clarify steps, roles, time frames, and appeal rights.

☑ Include informal resolution options where appropriate.

10. Data Protection & GDPR Policy

☑ Confirm how employee data is stored, accessed, and retained.

☑ Update any third-party data processors.

☑ Align with your privacy notice and consent processes.

Bonus Policies Worth a January Review

• Homeworking & Equipment Policy (if not part of your hybrid policy)

• Expenses Policy (especially if travel / client work is common)

• Social Media / Acceptable Use Policy

• Whistleblowing Policy

• Safeguarding Policy (if applicable to your sector)

  
  

Why January Is Ideal for Policy Review

✔ Fresh start for the calendar year

✔ Ensures compliance after rate changes and legislative updates

✔ Helps managers and employees operate consistently

✔ Sets expectations early before business picks up

Quick Update Tips

📌 Involve senior leaders or managers for input

📌 Get staff acknowledgment of any updated policies

📌 Store policies in an accessible central location

📌 Communicate changes clearly — don’t just upload and forget

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Here's how Lilac HR can help you with your January update:

• Sign up to the How to HR Toolkit to download our HR Audit template plus any policy templates you are missing.

• Communicate policy updates to staff AND see who's read the new policies with Breathe HR.

• Contact us for retained support to help you manage compliance effortlessly.