HR for Non-HR Managers — The Legal Knowledge and Practical Skills Line Managers Need
Most line managers are expected to handle recruitment, performance and absence decisions with real legal consequences — often without ever having been trained in the employment law that governs them.
This highly practical full-day programme builds the legal knowledge, practical skills and confidence line managers and supervisors need to manage people fairly, consistently and in line with UK employment law.
Want to discuss whether this programme fits your organisation? Email training@elevateimpacttraining.com
Managers Make Legal Decisions Every Time They Manage People
Line managers are expected to handle recruitment, performance and absence decisions that carry real legal consequences, usually with no training in the employment law behind them. Decisions that are well meant but inconsistent can expose the organisation to claims and leave managers unsure what to do next.
This programme builds the legal knowledge and practical skills managers need across the whole people management cycle, from fair recruitment and performance conversations to absence, disciplinary and grievance matters, and the records that protect everyone involved.
Half-Day Workshop vs Full-Day Programme
Both formats deliver real and immediate improvement to HR knowledge and people management confidence. The right choice depends on the depth of legal grounding required and how much time your management team can commit right now.
| Half-Day Session | Full-Day Programme | |
|---|---|---|
| Positioning | Core HR essentials — employment law basics, recruitment and performance management fundamentals | Full programme — all half-day content plus absence management, disciplinary and grievance, documentation and action planning |
| Duration | 3–3.5 hours | 6–7 hours |
| Best For | Managers needing a rapid HR knowledge foundation with immediate practical application | Organisations investing in consistent, legally grounded people management capability across their management team |
| Topics Covered | Equality Act, fair recruitment, performance conversations and ACAS code basics | All half-day content plus absence management, disciplinary and grievance, documentation and GDPR basics |
| Activities | Focused exercises and HR scenario discussions with immediate workplace application | Extended HR scenario practice, group work, case studies and personal action planning |
| Investment | Lower — easier to schedule for busy management teams | Premium — deeper legal knowledge and measurable reduction in Employment Tribunal risk |
Not sure which format is right? Speak to our training specialist on 07544 534759.
What Delegates Gain From This Programme
A clear understanding of UK employment law fundamentals — including the Equality Act 2010, Employment Rights Act 1996 and ACAS Code of Practice
Confidence to recruit fairly and lawfully — writing effective job descriptions, conducting structured interviews and avoiding discriminatory selection
Practical performance management skills — setting clear expectations, having honest conversations and managing underperformance consistently
A structured approach to absence management — understanding absence types, return-to-work interviews and identifying patterns that require action
The knowledge to handle disciplinary and grievance matters correctly — understanding informal and formal processes and when to escalate to HR
A clear grasp of documentation requirements — file notes, records and GDPR basics that protect both the manager and the organisation
Significantly reduced Employment Tribunal risk — through consistent, fair and legally grounded people management practice
Greater management confidence across all people-related decisions — knowing what to handle, how to handle it and when to involve HR
By the End of This Programme, Delegates Will Be Able To
- Explain the fundamentals of UK employment law, including the Equality Act 2010, the Employment Rights Act 1996 and the ACAS Code of Practice
- Recruit fairly and lawfully, using structured interviews and avoiding discriminatory selection
- Manage performance by setting clear expectations, holding honest conversations and addressing underperformance consistently
- Manage absence using return-to-work interviews, and spot patterns that need action
- Handle disciplinary and grievance matters using informal and formal processes, and know when to escalate to HR
- Keep accurate records that meet documentation and GDPR basics, backed by a personal action plan
Full-Day HR for Non-HR Managers Training Programme
Delegates explore the UK employment law framework — the Equality Act 2010, Employment Rights Act 1996 and the ACAS Code of Practice — then develop fair recruitment skills including structured interviewing, job description writing and avoiding discriminatory selection decisions.
Delegates develop practical performance management skills — setting clear expectations, having performance conversations, managing underperformance consistently and understanding the ACAS process. Includes structured absence management: absence types, return-to-work interviews and Bradford Factor awareness.
Delegates master the informal and formal disciplinary and grievance process — understanding when to act, how to act and when to escalate to HR — plus documentation essentials and GDPR basics. The session closes with a personal action plan for immediate implementation.
Designed For Line Managers With People Management Responsibilities
This programme is designed for line managers, team leaders, supervisors and operational managers across all sectors who handle people management responsibilities without formal HR training — and who need the legal knowledge and practical skills to do so correctly and consistently.
Want this tailored to your sector or organisation? Email training@elevateimpacttraining.com
Flexible Delivery — Wherever You Are
Every HR for Non-HR Managers programme is designed around your organisation — your sector, your HR policies and the specific people management challenges your managers face. Delivered in-house or virtually, available across England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Europe.
Face-to-Face
Delivered at your workplace — HR scenarios tailored to your sector and policies
Virtual
Delivered via Microsoft Teams or Zoom — same quality, full interaction and live HR scenario work
Bespoke
HR scenarios and case studies built around your real management situations and sector
HR for Non-HR Managers Training Wherever Your Organisation Needs It
Every programme is delivered entirely in-house — at your site or virtually. We do not run public courses. We deliver face-to-face across England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Europe, including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast, and virtually via Microsoft Teams or Zoom to teams anywhere.
To discuss in-house HR for Non-HR Managers Training for your team, call 07544 534759 or email training@elevateimpacttraining.com