The following documents are free and are here to help you manage staff. Others are available to help with Hiring staff and Disciplining staff. Download Acas' new Managing People guidance.
Appraisals
- Appraisal form for manual workers [77kb] - a detailed framework.
- Appraisal form based on job objectives [60kb] - example of a detailed framework for measuring job performance against specific job objectives.
- Appraisal form for earmarking potential for promotion [37kb] - for recording and assessing an employee's suitability as a candidate for future promotion.
- Self-appraisal form [44kb] - this can be used by an employee to summarise their thoughts on their performance ahead of the appraisal meeting with their manager.
- Appraisal questionnaire [48kb] - for managers to find out what employees think of their employer's appraisal process, and how they rate the effectiveness of their own appraisal.
Absence and personal records
- Absence record sheet [170kb] - for listing and assessing an employee's instances of absence from work and lateness for work, and highlighting any patterns of behaviour.
- Employment history form 1 [51kb] - covering the basics from job titles to rates of pay.
- Employment history form 2 [113kb] - a detailed form for recording a summary of basics from their application form and for keeping their employment record with you up to date, including details regarding discipline, absence, lateness and any accidents at work.
- Letter to an employee’s GP [41kb] - a very detailed letter from a manager at the employer asking about the likely cause of the employee's absence, outlining the nature of the employee's work, asking for a likely date for a return to work and whether the employer should be making reasonable adjustments to accommodate the employee's medical condition or disability.
Equality
- Gender pay reporting notification template [64kb] - a template letter to use and edit to communicate and engage with your staff on gender pay reporting.
- Equality policy template [42kb] - a sample policy outlining the employer's commitment to: promote equality and fairness in its workplace; oppose all forms of unlawful discrimination in its workplace; and encourage diversity among its workforce to reflect society and its range of customers.
Homeworking
- Sample homeworking policy [190kb] - Details the main features of a homeworking policy for employers with staff working from home.
- Checklist for setting up homeworking [193kb] - Use this checklist to make sure employer and employee have everything in place for the employee to work from home.
- Flexible working - Policy sample template [62kb] - This is a sample policy which employers should adapt to suit the particular circumstances of their organisation
Performance Management
- Draft record of performance [45kb]
- Tips for setting SMART performance objectives [56kb]
- Tips on approaching a conversation around performance [49kb]
Shared Parental Leave
- Shared Parental Leave - Policy sample template [105kb]
- Confirmation letter of entitlement to Shared Parental Leave [22kb]
- Confirmation letter of Shared Parental Leave booking [22kb]
- Letter to discuss Shared Parental Leave booking request [20kb]
- Refusal letter of a discontinuous Shared Parental Leave booking request [26kb]
- Shared Parental Leave forms (for Parental Order Surrogacy) [159kb]
- Notice booking a period of Shared Parental Leave (period of leave notice) [47kb]
- Shared Parental Leave forms (for Maternity) [157kb]
- Shared Parental Leave forms (for Adoption) [158kb]
Staff studies
- The make-up of your labour force [100kb] - for assessing how many of your staff are skilled, semi-skilled, full-time or part-time, a breakdown of wage costs, and trends in staff leaving and new starters.
- Analysis of staff turnover [74kb] - for highlighting trends among staff who choose to leave, those dismissed and those made redundant.
Note: The samples for letters, forms and checklists are here to help you, but users must take full responsibility for the content they send out.
Further guidance
If, after looking at these templates, you feel you need additional help on managing staff, Acas has other free guidance you can download.
Topics include:
Alternatively you can call the Acas Helpline.
Acas training and support for your organisation
Acas advisers can help with a range of management and employment relations issues. We can visit your organisation, discuss the support you need and tailor solutions to help. Find out more about Acas Workshops, projects and business solutions.
Or view our full range of training courses designed for managers and team leaders.