Occasional lateness by employees sometimes genuinely can’t be helped, and if it only happens once or twice, it’s not really a cause for concern, but when it becomes a regular occurrence it can become an issue.

It’s tough being a parent and also having a full or even part time job. Managing school holidays, illness, school events and various childcare arrangements alongside the traditional 9 to 5 poses a serious challenge for many parents.

As an employer, you can refuse an employee’s annual leave request if there is a legitimate business reason, such as a staff shortage or it being a peak business period.

A quick chat with an employee might feel like the easiest way to handle an issue, but if these chats aren’t documented, it could cause problems later down the line.