Personnel Today
  • Home
    • All PT content
    • Advertise
  • Email sign-up
  • Topics
    • HR Practice
    • Employee relations
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Learning & training
    • Pay & benefits
    • Wellbeing
    • Recruitment & retention
    • HR strategy
    • HR Tech
    • The HR profession
    • Global
    • All HR topics
  • Legal
    • Case law
    • Commentary
    • Flexible working
    • Legal timetable
    • Maternity & paternity
    • Shared parental leave
    • Redundancy
    • TUPE
    • Disciplinary and grievances
    • Employer’s guides
  • AWARDS
    • Personnel Today Awards
    • The RAD Awards
  • Jobs
    • Find a job
    • Jobs by email
    • Careers advice
    • Post a job
  • XpertHR
    • Learn more
    • Products
    • Pricing
    • Free trial
    • Subscribe
    • XpertHR USA
  • Webinars
  • OHW+

Personnel Today

Register
Log in
Personnel Today
  • Home
    • All PT content
    • Advertise
  • Email sign-up
  • Topics
    • HR Practice
    • Employee relations
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Learning & training
    • Pay & benefits
    • Wellbeing
    • Recruitment & retention
    • HR strategy
    • HR Tech
    • The HR profession
    • Global
    • All HR topics
  • Legal
    • Case law
    • Commentary
    • Flexible working
    • Legal timetable
    • Maternity & paternity
    • Shared parental leave
    • Redundancy
    • TUPE
    • Disciplinary and grievances
    • Employer’s guides
  • AWARDS
    • Personnel Today Awards
    • The RAD Awards
  • Jobs
    • Find a job
    • Jobs by email
    • Careers advice
    • Post a job
  • XpertHR
    • Learn more
    • Products
    • Pricing
    • Free trial
    • Subscribe
    • XpertHR USA
  • Webinars
  • OHW+

Payroll from SageEuropeLatest NewsEmployment lawPayroll

UK has 21st most complex HR in Europe

by Rob Moss 13 Jan 2021
by Rob Moss 13 Jan 2021 Shutterstock
Shutterstock

The HR and payroll environment in the UK is one of the most complex in Europe, according to research, although much of the negativity arose from Brexit uncertainty.

On a global level, the UK was 42nd most complex for HR and payroll. The five countries rated the most complex are Belgium, Malaysia, China, Bolivia and France, while the least complex are Chile, the US, Malta, the British Virgin Islands and Jersey.

The report, published by TMF Group, a provider of compliance and admin services, analysed HR and payroll policies in 77 jurisdictions.

Adele Ewing, TMF global head of HR and payroll said: “The UK has always had a flexible employment environment for multinationals. The pragmatic approach that characterises the Anglo-Saxon countries is a sought-after factor that attracts businesses from all over the world. That being said, 2021 will represent a big challenge in light of Brexit, as well as the continued effects of Covid-19 and its implications for both employees and employers.”

HR and payroll compliance

Employment law: Seven key tasks for HR in 2021

How to get ready for IR35 ahead of April 2021

Overall, the UK is identified as an employer-friendly jurisdiction. For multinationals, regular pay increases are not mandatory and the number of mandatory benefits for permanent employees is not as onerous as in, for example, Italy or France.

In addition, the notice period in the UK necessary to dismiss an underperforming employee amounts to four weeks, the same as in the Netherlands, while in Germany and in Italy this process can take up to 12 and 25 weeks respectively.

Despite many positive aspects, the UK is perceived as more complex than other European countries partly due to Brexit and its associated uncertainties. While the economies of Ireland and the Netherlands are expected to remain stable over the next five years, the same cannot be said for the UK.

TMF’s report explores four areas: hiring and terminating employees; the management of HR and payroll; the relationship between international workforces and local rules; and the role of technology.

Malta, Jersey, the Netherlands, Denmark and Portugal were found to be the least complex jurisdictions in Europe, while Belgium, France, Serbia, Norway and Croatia represented the hardest place to operate HR and payroll.

  Payroll opportunities on Personnel Today

Browse more payroll jobs

Rob Moss
Rob Moss

Rob Moss is a business journalist with more than 25 years' experience. He has been editor of Personnel Today since 2010. He joined the publication in 2006 as online editor of the award-winning website. Rob specialises in labour market economics, gender diversity and family-friendly working. He has hosted hundreds of webinar and podcasts. Before writing about HR and employment he ran news and feature desks on publications serving the global optical and eyewear market, the UK electrical industry, and energy markets in Asia and the Middle East.

previous post
Part-time, low-paid and ethnic minority workers facing poverty
next post
Morrisons £10 an hour pay deal is first for UK supermarket

You may also like

Seafarers minimum wage law receives Royal Assent

27 Mar 2023

The P&O Ferries sackings one year on

17 Mar 2023

Sexual harassment law: Employers to gain new responsibilities

14 Mar 2023

EHRC submits criticism of Strikes Bill to parliament

9 Mar 2023

UK firms back health and safety rules in...

3 Mar 2023

Gary Lineker case ‘nothing to do with IR35’...

3 Mar 2023

What Harpur Trust v Brazel means for holiday...

28 Feb 2023

Bank holidays: six things employers need to know

21 Feb 2023

Carer’s Leave Bill passed by MPs

3 Feb 2023

Tribunal cases involving transgender issues on rise

2 Feb 2023

  • Sodexo Engage – Mountain of lost benefits ebook PROMOTED | Help your people feel the impact of your benefits...Read more
  • Neurodiversity: How to make the workplace more inclusive (webinar) WEBINAR | Can your organisation truly be inclusive...Read more
  • How HR can facilitate internal talent mobility PROMOTED | Should internal talent mobility be a priority...Read more
  • Bereavement in the workplace: How training can help HR get it right PROMOTED | HR professionals play an essential role...Read more
  • UK workforce mental wellbeing needs PROMOTED | The mental wellbeing support employers are providing misses the mark...Read more
  • The Workplace Today Guide: Why it pays to support your staff’s financial health PROMOTED | The cost of living crisis has hit...Read more

Personnel Today Jobs
 

Search Jobs

PERSONNEL TODAY

About us
Contact us
Browse all HR topics
Email newsletters
Content feeds
Cookies policy
Privacy policy
Terms and conditions

JOBS

Personnel Today Jobs
Post a job
Why advertise with us?

EVENTS & PRODUCTS

The Personnel Today Awards
The RAD Awards
Employee Benefits
Forum for Expatriate Management
OHW+
Whatmedia

ADVERTISING & PR

Advertising opportunities
Features list 2023

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin


© 2011 - 2023 DVV Media International Ltd

Personnel Today
  • Home
    • All PT content
    • Advertise
  • Email sign-up
  • Topics
    • HR Practice
    • Employee relations
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Learning & training
    • Pay & benefits
    • Wellbeing
    • Recruitment & retention
    • HR strategy
    • HR Tech
    • The HR profession
    • Global
    • All HR topics
  • Legal
    • Case law
    • Commentary
    • Flexible working
    • Legal timetable
    • Maternity & paternity
    • Shared parental leave
    • Redundancy
    • TUPE
    • Disciplinary and grievances
    • Employer’s guides
  • AWARDS
    • Personnel Today Awards
    • The RAD Awards
  • Jobs
    • Find a job
    • Jobs by email
    • Careers advice
    • Post a job
  • XpertHR
    • Learn more
    • Products
    • Pricing
    • Free trial
    • Subscribe
    • XpertHR USA
  • Webinars
  • OHW+