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New look, sharper mission
Company6 min

New look, sharper mission.

This is how Shiftbase looks from today. A new logo, new colours and a sharper mission: taking admin away from businesses that work in shifts, step by step.

HR compliance checklist for shift-based business: what an audit actually asks for
HR6 min

HR compliance checklist for shift-based business: what an audit actually asks for

Compliance gaps rarely show up until an audit does. Here is the document checklist every small business should have covered.

Employee onboarding for hospitality: get 20 seasonal hires shift-ready in days
HR5 min

Employee onboarding for hospitality: get 20 seasonal hires shift-ready in days

Summer hiring in hospitality means 10-30 new contracts in a few weeks. Here is how managers get through the paperwork without losing a full week to admin.

HR software for shift-based teams: why one platform beats a stack of free tools
HR7 min

HR software for shift-based teams: why one platform beats a stack of free tools

Most shift-based managers run HR across 5 or 6 free tools. The result: missed paperwork, compliance gaps, and hours lost per hire. One platform fixes that.

Sickness absence policy: a 2026 guide for UK employers
Absences6 min

Sickness absence policy: a 2026 guide for UK employers

Day-one SSP is live in 2026. See what your sickness absence policy must include, how to apply triggers fairly, and audit yours with a free checklist.

Absence management software UK: 6 best tools (2026)
Comparison6 min

Absence management software UK: 6 best tools (2026)

Compare the 6 best absence management software UK tools for small businesses in 2026: pricing, features and the new day-one SSP rules explained.

Fair Work Agency: what UK employers must do now
Regulations5 min

Fair Work Agency: what UK employers must do now

The Fair Work Agency is live, with new powers to inspect records and fine employers. Here's what UK businesses must do now to stay ready.

Before their first shift: new hire paperwork checklist for UK employers
HR5 min

Before their first shift: new hire paperwork checklist for UK employers

What new hire paperwork do UK employers legally need? This checklist covers right-to-work, contracts, tax forms, and what most small businesses miss.

Employment contract template for shift workers: the full checklist
HR8 min

Employment contract template for shift workers: the full checklist

A standard employment contract template won't cover shift workers. Here's the full checklist of clauses you need, plus a free downloadable template.

Best employee scheduling software for shift-based businesses 2026
Scheduling11 min

Best employee scheduling software for shift-based businesses 2026

Comparing the best employee scheduling software for shift-based teams in 2026. Real depth on pricing, pros, cons, and which tools actually know your team.

Holiday pay on overtime UK (2026): what employers must include
Payroll7 min

Holiday pay on overtime UK (2026): what employers must include

Does overtime count towards holiday pay in the UK? Yes, if it's regular. Here's what the law requires, how to calculate it, and what can go wrong.

How to build a summer rota that actually holds up
Scheduling8 min

How to build a summer rota that actually holds up

Plan your summer rota before the holiday rush hits. Practical steps to handle leave requests, fill gaps, and keep shifts covered all season.

Statutory sick pay 2026: what's changed and what to do
Regulations7 min

Statutory sick pay 2026: what's changed and what to do

From 6 April 2026, SSP rules changed for UK employers. New rate, no waiting days, no earnings threshold. Here's what you need to know and do.

How to reduce staff absence in shift-based teams
Absences7 min

How to reduce staff absence in shift-based teams

Staff absence costs UK shift-based businesses hours every week. Here's how to reduce sickness absence, stay SSP-compliant in 2026, keep your rota covered.

Best rota software for hospitality businesses in the UK (2026)
Comparison8 min

Best rota software for hospitality businesses in the UK (2026)

Best rota software for hospitality in the UK: practical guide for restaurant and hotel operators comparing the top tools for 2026.

Shiftbase partners with Fortino Capital
Company3 min

Shiftbase partners with Fortino Capital

Shiftbase partners with Fortino Capital to support its next phase of European expansion

Best staff rota software UK 2026: compared for hospitality and retail
Scheduling10 min

Best staff rota software UK 2026: compared for hospitality and retail

Comparing the best staff rota software UK for hospitality and retail. See which tools connect leave to your live schedule, and which ones don't.

We want you to use Shiftbase less
Scheduling3 min

We want you to use Shiftbase less

Ivo Hunink, CPO at Shiftbase, explains how we're building AI that does the workforce admin so operators can focus on what actually matters.

Restaurant shift planning: a practical guide for busy managers
Scheduling11 min

Restaurant shift planning: a practical guide for busy managers

Plan restaurant shifts that actually stay done. A practical guide covering rotas, labour costs, compliance, and the tools that save time.

Bank holiday scheduling: a practical guide for UK employers
Scheduling8 min

Bank holiday scheduling: a practical guide for UK employers

How to handle UK bank holiday scheduling: pay rules, annual leave, part-time entitlements, and practical tips for building a rota your team can rely on.

HR for small business: a practical checklist for managers
HR7 min

HR for small business: a practical checklist for managers

No HR department? No problem. A practical checklist covering what small businesses must have in place, what's changed in 2026, and what can wait.

Employee appreciation ideas that actually work for shift-based teams
HR8 min

Employee appreciation ideas that actually work for shift-based teams

Gift cards and pizza don't cut it for shift workers. Here are employee appreciation ideas that actually work for hospitality, retail, & shift-based teams.

Best absence tracking software for retail companies: a practical shortlist 2026
Absences12 min

Best absence tracking software for retail companies: a practical shortlist 2026

Shortlist of the best absence tracking software for retail in 2026: compare features, pricing, and pick the right tool for your stores.

Best employee time tracking software UK (2026): tested for shift-based teams
Time tracking13 min

Best employee time tracking software UK (2026): tested for shift-based teams

Compare the best employee time tracking software UK (2026) for shift-based teams. Clock-in controls, payroll readiness & UK compliance: a tested shortlist.

Best time tracking tools for restaurants and hospitality: what matters during real shifts
Time tracking11 min

Best time tracking tools for restaurants and hospitality: what matters during real shifts

Best Time Tracking Tools For Restaurants And Hospitality: compare key features, test with real shifts, and reduce payroll fixes with cleaner time data.

Time tracking software for retail staff: the features that actually work
Time tracking10 min

Time tracking software for retail staff: the features that actually work

Time tracking software for retail staff that cuts errors, speeds approvals, and exports clean hours to payroll, without the hidden costs.

Affordable time tracking software: what to look for and avoid
Time tracking9 min

Affordable time tracking software: what to look for and avoid

Affordable time tracking software for SMEs: avoid pricing traps, choose payroll-ready features, and pick the right tool for shifts or projects.

Is your Excel rota toxic? Time to switch to scheduling software
Scheduling5 min

Is your Excel rota toxic? Time to switch to scheduling software

Ditch Excel rota chaos. Manage rotas, availability and labour costs in one place with Shiftbase’s staff scheduling app. Start a free 14-day trial.

HR prep for 2026: the SME checklist + templates
HR5 min

HR prep for 2026: the SME checklist + templates

Get 2026-ready with a practical HR checklist, policy essentials, and templates to reduce risk and daily chaos in your team.

How 3 teams reduce scheduling stress with employee scheduling software
Scheduling4 min

How 3 teams reduce scheduling stress with employee scheduling software

Read 3 quick scheduling stories from retail, restaurant franchises, and recreation teams: less chaos, fewer changes, more control.

Structured planning vs. reactive planning: this is the difference
Scheduling7 min

Structured planning vs. reactive planning: this is the difference

What is the difference between reactive & structured scheduling? Discover, through two teams, what planning ahead means for time, costs, and peace of mind.

Employee time tracking: how to get it right in 2026
Time tracking10 min

Employee time tracking: how to get it right in 2026

A practical guide to employee time tracking for UK shift-based businesses covering methods, rules, compliance, and getting to payroll without the chase.

Zero-hours contracts: what the Employment Rights Bill means for hospitality
Regulations7 min

Zero-hours contracts: what the Employment Rights Bill means for hospitality

The Employment Rights Bill ends exploitative zero-hours contracts by 2027. Here's what hospitality businesses need to do now.

How to cut labour costs by 5–10% in UK restaurants (without cutting staff)
Payroll10 min

How to cut labour costs by 5–10% in UK restaurants (without cutting staff)

Step-by-step guide for UK restaurants to cut labour costs by 5–10% without cutting staff, using data-driven scheduling, smarter rotas and clear KPIs.

Best workforce management tools for hourly employees in 2026 (in depth comparison)
Comparison8 min

Best workforce management tools for hourly employees in 2026 (in depth comparison)

Data-backed guide to the best 2026 workforce management tools for hourly teams; features, pricing, integrations and availability for SMEs.

Restaurant overtime FAQ 2026: who's exempt and who's not and what to do now
Payroll9 min

Restaurant overtime FAQ 2026: who's exempt and who's not and what to do now

Restaurant overtime 2026 explained: who’s exempt, state thresholds (CA/NY/WA), tipped OT formulas, fair workweek impacts, and a 7-day compliance plan.

What’s the ROI of rota software? Savings, benchmarks & calculator
Scheduling8 min

What’s the ROI of rota software? Savings, benchmarks & calculator

Work out what rota software saves in manager hours, overtime and labour cost: a simple ROI formula, a worked example for a 40-person team and what finance will ask.

How to implement rolled-up holiday pay for irregular hours staff
Payroll7 min

How to implement rolled-up holiday pay for irregular hours staff

Rolled-up holiday pay for irregular hours staff: who qualifies, how to calculate the 12.07% rate, and how to stay compliant in 2026. Guide for UK SMEs.

UK shift work in 2026: what's changing for hourly teams
HR8 min

UK shift work in 2026: what's changing for hourly teams

What's changing for UK shift-based teams in 2026: guaranteed hours, shift-notice rules, the flexibility gap and staff turnover, and how to adapt.

Can employees donate PTO? Here’s what employers must know
Absences6 min

Can employees donate PTO? Here’s what employers must know

A PTO donation scheme lets staff give leave to a colleague who needs it. How to set one up compliantly, what to cap and where the tax lands.

How to talk to an employee about excessive absenteeism: the employers guide
Absences8 min

How to talk to an employee about excessive absenteeism: the employers guide

Find out how many absences are considered excessive and how ow to talk to an employee about excessive absenteeism.

How does PTO accrue? Rules, methods, and best practices
Absences9 min

How does PTO accrue? Rules, methods, and best practices

PTO can accrue per hour worked, per pay period or all at once. The methods, how each affects your balance sheet and worked examples of all three.

FAQ: how many PTO days is normal? A complete guide for employers
Absences9 min

FAQ: how many PTO days is normal? A complete guide for employers

What counts as normal PTO depends on the market you hire in. The typical allowances, the legal minimum and how to set one that stays competitive.

How to reduce labour costs without cutting staff: a 2026 UK guide
Payroll4 min

How to reduce labour costs without cutting staff: a 2026 UK guide

Reduce labour costs without cutting staff. Match staffing to demand, control overtime and cut admin with better scheduling and time tracking.

Does PTO count towards overtime? A must-know for employers
Absences10 min

Does PTO count towards overtime? A must-know for employers

Find out if PTO counts towards overtime, how laws differ in the US and UK, and how to protect your business.

FAQ: do you get paid for unused sick days? What every boss must know
Absences10 min

FAQ: do you get paid for unused sick days? What every boss must know

Find out if you must pay for unused sick days and learn how to create fair, legal sick leave policies for your team.

How to respond when an employee calls in sick (with example messages)
Absences4 min

How to respond when an employee calls in sick (with example messages)

How to respond when an employee calls in sick: what to say, example messages, and how to cover the shift fast. A short, practical guide for managers.

FAQ: can salary workers get overtime? Everything employers must know
Regulations8 min

FAQ: can salary workers get overtime? Everything employers must know

Being on a salary does not automatically remove the right to overtime pay. What decides it, what employers owe and where the assumption goes wrong.

How to create a clocking in and out policy that works + free template
Policies10 min

How to create a clocking in and out policy that works + free template

A clocking policy nobody reads gets ignored on the first busy shift. What to put in it, how to word the exceptions and how to make it stick.

Employee forgot to clock in or out? Here’s what happens & how to fix it
Time tracking4 min

Employee forgot to clock in or out? Here’s what happens & how to fix it

Employee forgot to clock in or out? You still have to pay them. Here's what the law says and how to fix a missed punch fast.

How many work hours are in a year? (2026 breakdown)
Time tracking4 min

How many work hours are in a year? (2026 breakdown)

How many work hours are in a year? The standard is 2,080 (40 hrs × 52 weeks); around 1,816 after holidays, vacation and sick leave.

End of shift report: what to include for a smooth handover
Scheduling4 min

End of shift report: what to include for a smooth handover

End of shift report: what to include, plus a free template and examples for hospitality and retail. Keep every handover clear and complete.

Why employees are calling in sick when denied vacation & how to stop it
Absences13 min

Why employees are calling in sick when denied vacation & how to stop it

A refused holiday request has a way of turning into a sick day. Why it happens, how to respond without accusing anyone and how to stop the pattern.

Is the 'use it or lose it' vacation policy legal? What employers need to know
Regulations11 min

Is the 'use it or lose it' vacation policy legal? What employers need to know

Use-it-or-lose-it holiday runs into UK law faster than most employers expect. What is allowed, what is not and how to manage the year-end pile-up.

Workforce management guide for shift-based businesses
Management6 min

Workforce management guide for shift-based businesses

What is workforce management? A practical 2026 guide for shift-based businesses: what it covers, why it matters and how to manage your team well.

Managing night shift workers: a UK guide to rules, rotas & retention
Scheduling5 min

Managing night shift workers: a UK guide to rules, rotas & retention

How to manage night shift workers in the UK; the legal hour limits, rota tips, and how Shiftbase keeps night schedules covered.

HR trends 2026: what shift-based businesses should prioritise
HR4 min

HR trends 2026: what shift-based businesses should prioritise

HR trends 2026 for shift-based teams: AI admin, flexible scheduling, and real-time labour cost control. See what to prioritise and how Shiftbase helps.

Employee scheduling tips: 8 ways to cut admin (2026)
Scheduling4 min

Employee scheduling tips: 8 ways to cut admin (2026)

Employee scheduling tips for shift-based teams: publish faster, cut admin, stay compliant with UK law, and keep the schedule running after you hit publish.

Schedule change requests: how to handle them fairly
Scheduling5 min

Schedule change requests: how to handle them fairly

How to handle employee schedule change requests (shift swaps, hours changes and pattern requests) fairly, consistently and without the admin chaos.

When does PTO reset? The complete guide for employers
Absences5 min

When does PTO reset? The complete guide for employers

PTO reset schedules explained: calendar year, hire date, and fiscal year. Learn how to manage unused PTO, carryover limits, and stay compliant.

How many working days in a month? 2026 breakdown by month
Regulations8 min

How many working days in a month? 2026 breakdown by month

The average month has 21–23 working days. See the full 2026 breakdown by month, including how bank holidays affect your total.

Employee availability: how to collect, manage and schedule around it
Scheduling5 min

Employee availability: how to collect, manage and schedule around it

Employee availability explained: what it means, how to collect it (free form included), and how to build schedules around it without the chaos.

How to calculate holiday pay for hourly workers (2026 UK guide)
Time tracking5 min

How to calculate holiday pay for hourly workers (2026 UK guide)

How to calculate holiday pay in the UK for hourly, irregular and fixed-hours workers, including the 12.07% method and rolled-up holiday pay.

Can you refuse a holiday request? A UK employer's guide
Absences6 min

Can you refuse a holiday request? A UK employer's guide

Can an employer refuse a holiday request in the UK? Learn the notice rules, handle competing requests fairly, and get a free policy template.

Multi-location staff scheduling: how to run every site from one rota
Scheduling5 min

Multi-location staff scheduling: how to run every site from one rota

Running several sites means one manager's fix is another site's shortage. How to schedule across locations without losing the local picture.

Trial shifts: when you have to pay, and how to run one legally (UK guide)
Management5 min

Trial shifts: when you have to pay, and how to run one legally (UK guide)

Trial shifts in the UK: when they're legal, when you must pay, and how long they can run; a practical guide for hospitality and shift-based employers.

How to reduce overtime: 7 strategies for shift-based teams
Time tracking5 min

How to reduce overtime: 7 strategies for shift-based teams

How to reduce overtime in shift-based teams: forecast demand, schedule to it, and track hours in real time. Practical steps for busy managers.

Healthcare scheduling software: a UK guide for care homes and clinics
Scheduling6 min

Healthcare scheduling software: a UK guide for care homes and clinics

Healthcare scheduling software helps UK care homes and clinics fill shifts, cut rota admin and keep hours accurate for payroll. See how Shiftbase helps.

Shiftbase awarded top time-tracking software for businesses in 2024
Company2 min

Shiftbase awarded top time-tracking software for businesses in 2024

Shiftbase was named to Tekpon's list of the best time-tracking software. What the list looks at, and what it says about how the product is used.

How to write an employee attendance policy that actually works
Policies7 min

How to write an employee attendance policy that actually works

Optimize productivity with a solid employee attendance policy – your guide to workplace efficiency and compliance.

Driver scheduling software: 10 best practices for UK fleets
Scheduling6 min

Driver scheduling software: 10 best practices for UK fleets

Driver scheduling software helps UK fleets cut admin and stay within drivers' hours rules. 10 best practices for planning shifts, hours and rest.

Automated scheduling benefits you can't ignore: the employers' guide
Scheduling5 min

Automated scheduling benefits you can't ignore: the employers' guide

Automated scheduling saves shift-based teams hours of admin every week. See how it cuts labour costs, prevents no-shows, and keeps rotas compliant.

7 HR KPIs shift-based managers should track in 2026
HR6 min

7 HR KPIs shift-based managers should track in 2026

7 HR KPIs shift-based managers actually track; absence rate, overtime, labour cost % and more. What each means and how to measure it with Shiftbase.

Employee time theft: 11 types and how to prevent them
Time tracking10 min

Employee time theft: 11 types and how to prevent them

What is time theft at work? Learn the 11 most common types of employee time theft (from buddy punching to padding hours) and how to prevent it.

15 essential retail interview questions every employer should ask
HR5 min

15 essential retail interview questions every employer should ask

15 retail interview questions to ask candidates, what a strong answer sounds like, and how to get your new hire shift-ready from day one.

Retail scheduling: 6 best practices for UK store teams
Scheduling5 min

Retail scheduling: 6 best practices for UK store teams

Retail scheduling done right cuts admin, controls labour costs and keeps shifts covered. 6 practical best practices for UK retail teams.

Employee scheduling conflicts: 9 ways to resolve them
Scheduling4 min

Employee scheduling conflicts: 9 ways to resolve them

Employee scheduling conflicts, explained: the common types, what causes them, and 9 practical ways to prevent and resolve them before they disrupt a shift.

How does PTO work for hourly employees?
Absences6 min

How does PTO work for hourly employees?

Do hourly employees get PTO? It's not required by US federal law, but many employers offer it. Here's how hourly PTO works and how to manage it.

7 common payroll mistakes UK employers make (and how to prevent them)
Payroll5 min

7 common payroll mistakes UK employers make (and how to prevent them)

The 7 most common payroll mistakes UK employers make (from overtime errors to missed clock-ins) and how to prevent them before payroll runs.

The 5 stages of burnout at work and how to catch them early
HR7 min

The 5 stages of burnout at work and how to catch them early

The 5 stages of burnout at work, the warning signs in each, and how fairer scheduling and workload visibility help you prevent it in your team.

How to write an annual leave policy for your UK team
Absences5 min

How to write an annual leave policy for your UK team

How to write an annual leave policy for your UK team: statutory rules, bank holidays, carry-over and a free template. Built for shift-based businesses.

4-day work week: pros, cons, and how to make it work for shift-based teams
HR7 min

4-day work week: pros, cons, and how to make it work for shift-based teams

The 4-day work week, weighed up for shift-based teams: real pros and cons, the latest UK trial results, and how to run it without breaking coverage.

No-call no-show policy: how to handle it + free template
HR7 min

No-call no-show policy: how to handle it + free template

A no-call no-show is when an employee misses a shift without warning. Learn how to handle it, what your policy should include, and how to prevent it.

How much does an employee cost in the UK? The true cost beyond salary (2026)
Payroll4 min

How much does an employee cost in the UK? The true cost beyond salary (2026)

The true cost of an employee in the UK is far more than salary. Learn what to include, how to calculate it, and how to control your labour costs.

UK working time regulations: hours, breaks, and rest rules explained (2026)
Regulations10 min

UK working time regulations: hours, breaks, and rest rules explained (2026)

UK Working Time Regulations explained: the 48-hour week, rest breaks, night worker rules, opt-out agreements, and what employers must do in 2026.