Book excerpt: The Employer's Handbook has established itself as a source of reliable, unambiguous guidance for all small- to medium-sized employers, clearly identifying the legal essentials and best-practice guidelines for effective people management. The book is a comprehensive source of hands-on advice on the increasingly complex legal framework now governing UK employment law, including guidelines on age discrimination legislation and the latest employment tribunal procedures. Coverage includes: recruitment, contracts, benefits, performance management, maternity and paternity rights, personnel records and data protection, terminating employment, and ensuring the health, safety and welfare of employees and pension obligations. It also provides access to a unique set of downloadable templates, forms and policy documents for dealing with key employment issues.