UK SME HR Starter Pack: 16 Essential Documents for Small Employers

Getting your HR paperwork right matters. Not just for compliance — but because the right documents protect your business, set clear expectations, and make managing people far less stressful.

This pack gives you 16 professionally written HR documents built for UK small businesses. No legal jargon. No corporate padding. Just practical, ready-to-use templates referenced to current UK employment law.

What's included:

• Employment Contract
• Casual Worker Agreement
• Contractor / Self-Employed Agreement
• Staff Handbook (25 sections)
• Disciplinary Policy
• Grievance Policy
• Equal Opportunities Policy
• Sickness Absence Policy
• Holiday Request Form
• Flexible Working Request Form
• New Starter Checklist
• Employee Details Form
• Employee Privacy Notice (GDPR compliant)
• Probation Review Form
• Leaver Checklist
• Start Here Guide

Who is this for?

Small business owners, sole traders taking on their first member of staff, and growing SMEs who need compliant HR documents without the cost of a solicitor or HR consultancy.

How does it work?

Download the pack, open each document in Word or Google Docs, and use Find and Replace to add your company name throughout. The Start Here Guide walks you through every document, when to use it, and what to do first.

All documents are provided in editable Word (.docx) format.

Referenced to current UK employment law including the Employment Rights Act 1996, Equality Act 2010, Working Time Regulations 1998, UK GDPR, and the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act 2023.