{"id":44584,"date":"2025-10-31T07:06:34","date_gmt":"2025-10-31T07:06:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/?post_type=resources&#038;p=44584"},"modified":"2025-12-05T11:37:33","modified_gmt":"2025-12-05T11:37:33","slug":"payroll-over-christmas","status":"publish","type":"resources","link":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/resources\/payroll-over-christmas\/","title":{"rendered":"Payroll Over Christmas: A Guide to Help Manage the End of Year Rush"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull resource-sticky-downloadable-template has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull blog-template-header has-light-violet-50-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div 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class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p class=\"has-sm-font-size\">Published<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-date has-sm-font-size\"><time datetime=\"2025-10-31T07:06:34+00:00\">31 Oct 2025<\/time><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns content-flex is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-1 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:55%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group sticky-downloadable-title has-light-violet-50-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-11 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--24)\"><h1 class=\"blog-template-title wp-block-post-title\">Payroll Over Christmas: A Guide to Help Manage the End of Year Rush<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-10 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-9 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p class=\"has-sm-font-size\">Published<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-date has-sm-font-size\"><time datetime=\"2025-10-31T07:06:34+00:00\">31 Oct 2025<\/time><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"content-wrapper\" class=\"wp-block-group content-wrapper has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-13 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">\u2018Tis the season to be jolly\u2026 but for businesses, <a href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/blog\/common-scenarios-for-payroll-over-the-christmas-period\/\">payroll over Christmas<\/a> can sometimes feel more <em>frazzled<\/em> than festive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">For business owners and HR professionals, December brings more than just festivities. The holiday season often means altered working patterns, staff bonuses, bank holidays and end-of-year reporting obligations. All of which can make HR feel particularly challenging.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">Managing business as usual processes at Christmas adds an extra layer of complexity. And the reality is, it requires extra attention to avoid delays, errors or compliance risks that could <em>wrap up<\/em> your team in unnecessary stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-1 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"#form\">Download the guide.<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why payroll gets stressful in December<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">In theory, payroll over Christmas should be the same as any other time of the year, right? Well, not quite.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">For the majority of business owners and HR professionals, December can feel like a perfect \u2018snow-storm\u2019 of challenges. But just like with festive shopping, being prepared is key. So here are some of the main reasons why everything feels a little more stressful over the festive season.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Business closures and shortened working weeks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">The office may be quieter over the festive break, but payroll deadlines don\u2019t take a holiday. Many UK businesses close for several days, leaving fewer working days to process pay, approve timesheets and handle bonuses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">Reduced staff availability and shorter banking windows can delay payments if cut-off dates aren\u2019t adjusted. To stay on track:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\"><strong>Plan early:<\/strong> Map out closure dates and bank holidays.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\"><strong>Move deadlines forward:<\/strong> Bring forward timesheet and approval cut-offs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\"><strong>Confirm cover:<\/strong> Ensure someone is available to authorise changes if key managers are away.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\"><strong>Communicate clearly:<\/strong> Let employees know of any changes to pay dates or deadlines.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bank holidays<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year\u2019s Day mean banks shut their doors, so you\u2019ll need to plan ahead to keep paydays from getting <em>\u2018frozen\u2019 in the queue<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">If payday falls on a bank holiday, you\u2019ll usually need to move it to the last working day before the break. Bacs payments require submission at least two working days earlier, so check your bank\u2019s cut-off dates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">To avoid delays:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\"><strong>Adjust pay runs early<\/strong> if they clash with bank holidays.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\"><strong>Communicate changes<\/strong> so staff can plan their finances.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\"><strong>Confirm processing deadlines<\/strong> with your bank or payroll provider.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">End-of-year reporting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">As the calendar winds down, end-of-year reporting piles up\u2014and there\u2019s nothing festive about a late submission notice from HMRC. December is the time to check that year-to-date pay, tax and NI figures are accurate so you\u2019re not scrambling in January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">Extra tasks like processing bonuses, updating benefits or correcting errors can slow things down. It\u2019s wise to review records early, reconcile payroll data and flag any discrepancies before the holiday rush.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">Staying organised now helps ensure smooth P60 preparation later and avoids costly penalties or last-minute stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Staff bonuses and seasonal rewards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">A sprinkle of holiday bonuses adds joy for employees but can pile extra tasks onto <a href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/resources\/payroll-guide\/\">payroll teams<\/a> already at full capacity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">Cash bonuses must be processed through PAYE and are subject to tax and NI, while non-cash gifts\u2014like hampers or gift cards\u2014may qualify as <strong>\u2018trivial benefits\u2019<\/strong> if they cost \u00a350 or less, aren\u2019t cash or cash vouchers and aren\u2019t linked to performance. Anything outside these rules needs to be reported on a P11D.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">Planning bonuses early, keeping accurate records and checking HMRC guidance helps avoid errors and last-minute compliance headaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">High expectations from employees<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">Staff often rely on their December pay to cover holiday spending, so timely and accurate payments are crucial. A delayed or incorrect run can quickly sour seasonal morale and undermine trust in the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">Clear communication about any changes to pay dates, bonuses, or deductions helps manage expectations and reduces stress for employees. Getting it right the first time keeps everyone\u2019s spirits bright\u2014and avoids a payroll \u2018frost-quake.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Should you pay staff early before Christmas?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">A thoughtful gesture like early processing of payroll over Christmas can feel as welcome as an early gift under the tree, but it has strings (or ribbons) attached.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group custom-table has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th><strong>Pros<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Cons<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Boosts morale and gives employees breathing room for festive costs.<\/td><td>Can strain business cash flow.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Adds goodwill to your employer brand.<\/td><td>Leaves a longer gap before January\u2019s payday.&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Helps avoid bank-holiday delays.<\/td><td>Increases admin stress<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Managing Christmas bonuses&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">Bonuses are a common payroll over Christmas consideration. They are a great way to thank your team for their hard work over the year, but it\u2019s important to keep in mind that they come with specific tax and National Insurance (NI) considerations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cash vs non-cash rewards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\"><strong>Cash Bonuses:<\/strong> Always count as earnings and are subject to PAYE income tax and NI.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\"><strong>Non-Cash Gifts:<\/strong> Items like hampers or gift vouchers can sometimes qualify for tax-free treatment under the \u2018trivial benefit\u2019 rules.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Trivial benefit rules<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">A gift may be exempt from tax and NI if:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">It costs \u00a350 or less (including VAT) per employee.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">It is not cash or a cash voucher.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">It is not provided in recognition of work performed or as part of the employment contract.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">P11D Reporting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">Non-cash gifts that don\u2019t qualify as trivial benefits, or that exceed \u00a350, must be reported to HMRC via the P11D form and may incur additional tax and NI liabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">To avoid reporting confusion and stress in January, keep detailed records of all bonuses and gifts.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bank holidays closures and holiday pay<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">Bank holidays and employee leave requests can disrupt payroll and require careful handling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Statutory vs contractual rights<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\"><strong>Statutory Holiday:<\/strong> UK employees are entitled to 5.6 weeks of paid holiday annually, which includes bank holidays (unless the contract states otherwise).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\"><strong>Contractual Holiday:<\/strong> Some employers offer more generous holiday entitlements that must be honoured.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Payday on a bank holiday<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">If your regular payday falls on a bank holiday, you typically need to pay employees on the last working day before the holiday to ensure timely payment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Calculating holiday payroll over christmas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">For staff taking leave during the festive period, you must calculate holiday pay correctly based on their usual pay pattern. For employees with variable hours or pay, this often requires business owners or HR professionals to do a <a href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/blog\/calculate-52-week-average-for-holiday-pay\/\">52 week average<\/a> calculation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">Failure to manage these details can lead to underpayments, which may breach employment law and damage employee trust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Reporting deadlines and RTI compliance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">Even during the festive season, compliance obligations don\u2019t pause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\"><strong>RTI (Real-Time Information) Submission:<\/strong> Employers must submit an FPS to HMRC on or before each payday, regardless of whether they pay early.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\"><strong>Early Pay Reminder:<\/strong> If you pay employees early in December, ensure the FPS still shows the contractual payday to avoid triggering a late-submission penalty notice.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\"><strong>Other Deadlines:<\/strong> Don\u2019t forget any other relevant reporting obligations, such as EPS (Employer Payment Summary) submissions if you reclaim statutory payments or declare no payments for a period.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">Timely submissions help you avoid HMRC penalties and maintain accurate year-to-date payroll records.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Common scenarios for payroll over Christmas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">Here are a few typical scenarios that trip up employers during the festive season:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\"><strong>Early December payday:<\/strong> You decide to pay staff early but forget to adjust FPS reporting\u2014triggering compliance alerts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\"><strong>Last-minute bonuses:<\/strong> HR adds a bonus after payroll is processed, resulting in rushed corrections or supplementary runs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\"><strong>Holiday pay miscalculations:<\/strong> A mix of part-timers and variable-hour staff creates errors in leave pay.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\"><strong>Bank Holiday overlaps:<\/strong> A payday falling on Boxing Day requires manual adjustment to avoid late payments.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\"><strong>Staff on statutory leave:<\/strong> Calculations for employees on maternity, paternity, or sick leave often get overlooked amidst seasonal chaos.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">Planning for these scenarios ahead of time helps reduce surprises and last-minute stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Supporting your team during the festive season<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">Payroll over Christmas can be exhausting for those who have to manage it. So as a business owner, you might be wondering how you can support your HR and finance teams through this busy period.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Wellbeing tips<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">Encourage regular breaks and realistic workloads.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">Provide mental health resources or employee assistance programmes (EAPs).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">Promote clear communication to reduce last-minute surprises.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Staffing support<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">Consider hiring temporary staff or redistributing tasks to ensure adequate cover during peak periods and holiday absences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Outsourcing options<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">For some businesses, outsourcing payroll, especially during peak seasons, can relieve pressure, ensure compliance and free up internal teams for strategic tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Leadership support<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">Managers should check in regularly, prioritise workload clarity and ensure the payroll team feels appreciated for their efforts during this high-pressure period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Download the Christmas payroll guide<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">Payroll over Christmas doesn\u2019t have to be overwhelming. By understanding seasonal challenges, planning for common scenarios and supporting your team and taking advantage of your <a href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/products\/payroll-software\/\">payroll software<\/a>, you can keep employees happy and ensure compliance with HMRC requirements. With the right preparation, and the help of our guide, you\u2019ll be well-equipped to navigate the end-of-year rush smoothly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<style>\n\/* Header cells in your custom table *\/\n.custom-table table th {\n  color: white; \n  background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--violet-500);\n  border: 2px solid black !important;\n}\n\n\/* Body cells: white background + border *\/\n.custom-table table td {\n  border: 1px solid black !important;\n  background-color: #ffffff !important;\n}\n\n\/* Wrapper: allows horizontal scroll if table is wide *\/\n.custom-table { \n  display: block; \n  overflow-x: auto; \n}\n\n\/* Fixed-ish width, but still allow wrapping *\/\n.custom-table table td,\n.custom-table table th { \n  width: 115px; \n  max-width: 150px; \n  white-space: normal; \n  word-break: break-word; \n}\n<\/style>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-2 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div 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style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-content-justification-space-between is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-17 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10)\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related Resources<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-link-arrow is-style-link-arrow--2\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-btn-brand-background-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"\/resources\/\">View all<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-query blog-3-col-query-loop is-layout-flow wp-block-query-is-layout-flow\"><ul class=\"columns-3 alignfull wp-block-post-template is-layout-grid wp-container-core-post-template-is-layout-1 wp-block-post-template-is-layout-grid\"><li class=\"wp-block-post post-52766 resources type-resources status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry resource-type-guides-and-playbooks\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-border-color has-neutral-100-border-color has-white-background-color has-background is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-20 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"border-width:1px;min-height:100%\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;width:100%;height:100%; padding-bottom:0;padding-top:0;margin-bottom:0;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/resources\/onboarding\/\" target=\"_self\"  style=\"height:100%\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1728\" height=\"1014\" src=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/Onboarding_Thumbnail.webp\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Employer Playbook: What is onboarding?\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/Onboarding_Thumbnail.webp 1728w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/Onboarding_Thumbnail-300x176.webp 300w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/Onboarding_Thumbnail-1024x601.webp 1024w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/Onboarding_Thumbnail-768x451.webp 768w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/Onboarding_Thumbnail-1536x901.webp 1536w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/Onboarding_Thumbnail-864x508.webp 864w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/Onboarding_Thumbnail-440x258.webp 440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1728px) 100vw, 1728px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group blog-3-col-details wp-container-content-3 is-vertical is-content-justification-left is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-19 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-18 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\"><div style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600\" class=\"taxonomy-resource-type eh-resource-type wp-block-post-terms\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-block-post-terms-icon\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" alt=\"icon-blog\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/02\/Blog.png\"><a href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/resources\/guides-and-playbooks\/\" rel=\"tag\">Guides and Playbooks<\/a><\/div>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/resources\/onboarding\/\" target=\"_self\" >Employer Playbook: What is onboarding?<\/a><\/h3>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt has-text-color has-contrast-2-color has-small-font-size wp-container-content-2\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt__excerpt\">Real onboarding starts at offer acceptance, spans 90 days and is the #1 source of HR errors. Here&#8217;s how to&hellip; <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<a style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\"wp-elements-9dfcbcb7662772ecb2d671e8976a6c51 wp-block-read-more has-text-color has-violet-500-color\" href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/resources\/onboarding\/\" target=\"_self\">Read more<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">: Employer Playbook: What is onboarding?<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/resources\/onboarding\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"group-block-link\"><\/a>\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-51732 resources type-resources status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry resource-type-guides-and-playbooks\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-border-color has-neutral-100-border-color has-white-background-color has-background is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-23 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"border-width:1px;min-height:100%\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;width:100%;height:100%; padding-bottom:0;padding-top:0;margin-bottom:0;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/resources\/employment-contracts-uk-2026\/\" target=\"_self\"  style=\"height:100%\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Guide-2-1.webp\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Employment Contracts UK: What Employers Are Legally Required to Include in 2026\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Guide-2-1.webp 1600w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Guide-2-1-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Guide-2-1-1024x576.webp 1024w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Guide-2-1-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Guide-2-1-1536x864.webp 1536w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Guide-2-1-440x248.webp 440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group blog-3-col-details wp-container-content-6 is-vertical is-content-justification-left is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-22 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-21 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\"><div style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600\" class=\"taxonomy-resource-type eh-resource-type wp-block-post-terms\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-block-post-terms-icon\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" alt=\"icon-blog\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/02\/Blog.png\"><a href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/resources\/guides-and-playbooks\/\" rel=\"tag\">Guides and Playbooks<\/a><\/div>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/resources\/employment-contracts-uk-2026\/\" target=\"_self\" >Employment Contracts UK: What Employers Are Legally Required to Include in 2026<\/a><\/h3>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt has-text-color has-contrast-2-color has-small-font-size wp-container-content-5\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt__excerpt\">Employment contracts UK rules are changing under the Employment Rights Act. Find out what to include and update before 2026.&hellip; <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<a style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\"wp-elements-9dfcbcb7662772ecb2d671e8976a6c51 wp-block-read-more has-text-color has-violet-500-color\" href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/resources\/employment-contracts-uk-2026\/\" target=\"_self\">Read more<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">: Employment Contracts UK: What Employers Are Legally Required to Include in 2026<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/resources\/employment-contracts-uk-2026\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"group-block-link\"><\/a>\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-51681 resources type-resources status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry resource-type-guides-and-playbooks\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-border-color has-neutral-100-border-color has-white-background-color has-background is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-26 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"border-width:1px;min-height:100%\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;width:100%;height:100%; padding-bottom:0;padding-top:0;margin-bottom:0;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/resources\/switching-payroll-providers-uk\/\" target=\"_self\"  style=\"height:100%\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Guide-3-1.webp\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Switching Payroll Providers UK: A Step-by-Step Migration Guide\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Guide-3-1.webp 1600w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Guide-3-1-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Guide-3-1-1024x576.webp 1024w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Guide-3-1-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Guide-3-1-1536x864.webp 1536w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Guide-3-1-440x248.webp 440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group blog-3-col-details wp-container-content-9 is-vertical is-content-justification-left is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-25 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-24 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\"><div style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600\" class=\"taxonomy-resource-type eh-resource-type wp-block-post-terms\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-block-post-terms-icon\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" alt=\"icon-blog\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/02\/Blog.png\"><a href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/resources\/guides-and-playbooks\/\" rel=\"tag\">Guides and Playbooks<\/a><\/div>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/resources\/switching-payroll-providers-uk\/\" target=\"_self\" >Switching Payroll Providers UK: A Step-by-Step Migration Guide<\/a><\/h3>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt has-text-color has-contrast-2-color has-small-font-size wp-container-content-8\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt__excerpt\">Thinking about switching payroll providers? Learn when to switch, what to plan for, common migration mistakes, and what to look&hellip; <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<a style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\"wp-elements-9dfcbcb7662772ecb2d671e8976a6c51 wp-block-read-more has-text-color has-violet-500-color\" href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/resources\/switching-payroll-providers-uk\/\" target=\"_self\">Read more<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">: Switching Payroll Providers UK: A Step-by-Step Migration Guide<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/resources\/switching-payroll-providers-uk\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"group-block-link\"><\/a>\n<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Struggling with payroll over Christmas? Learn how to manage December pay runs, bonuses and reporting deadlines.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":45588,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"_visual_mode":"business","_lite_auth_enabled":false,"_lite_auth_trigger_method":"scroll","_lite_auth_scroll_percent":25,"_lite_auth_click_element_query":"","exclude_from_algolia":false,"reading_time":"6 min read","display_reading_time":false,"registration_open_datetime":"","registration_close_datetime":"","event_start_datetime":"","event_end_datetime":"","time_zone":"","location":"","link_video":"","wistia_video_id":"","video_type":"","file_video":"","download_content_type":"file","download_file":"45595","download_url":"","download_cta_label":"","homepage_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"resource-type":[168],"topic":[288],"learn_topic":[],"industry":[],"search-tags":[],"audience":[],"business-size":[],"product-tag":[],"funnel-stage":[],"region":[],"pain-point":[],"persona":[],"post_features":[],"class_list":["post-44584","resources","type-resources","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","resource-type-guides-and-playbooks","topic-payroll-finance"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/resources\/44584","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/resources"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/resources"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/resources\/44584\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":45993,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/resources\/44584\/revisions\/45993"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/45588"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=44584"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"resource-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/resource-type?post=44584"},{"taxonomy":"topic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic?post=44584"},{"taxonomy":"learn_topic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/learn_topic?post=44584"},{"taxonomy":"industry","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/industry?post=44584"},{"taxonomy":"search-tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/search-tags?post=44584"},{"taxonomy":"audience","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/audience?post=44584"},{"taxonomy":"business-size","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/business-size?post=44584"},{"taxonomy":"product-tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product-tag?post=44584"},{"taxonomy":"funnel-stage","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/funnel-stage?post=44584"},{"taxonomy":"region","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/region?post=44584"},{"taxonomy":"pain-point","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pain-point?post=44584"},{"taxonomy":"persona","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/persona?post=44584"},{"taxonomy":"post_features","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_features?post=44584"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}