UK employment law for first-time employers

UK employment law for first-time employers boils down to a few essentials: a written statement of employment particulars from day one, statutory rights to pay (NMW), working hours (48-hour limit, opt-out), holiday (5.6 weeks), and protection from discrimination, unfair dismissal (after 2 years), and breach of contract. Get the basics right and most disputes are avoidable.