Common Mistakes in 5HR01 (and How to Avoid Them)
The most common mistakes in CIPD 5HR01 assignments, from stating the law without applying it to weak analysis, and how to avoid a referral.
09 July 2026 · 5 min read
5HR01 has some predictable pitfalls, especially around employment law. Here are the mistakes we see most, and how to avoid them.
1. Stating the law without applying it
Describing legislation earns little on its own. Apply it: what does it mean for the scenario, and what should a people professional do?
2. Out-of-date or unreferenced legal points
Employment law changes. Using old information, or stating legal points without a source, weakens your answer and your credibility.
3. Describing voice mechanisms without evaluating them
Listing engagement or voice methods is description. Analysing how well they work, and their impact, is what Level 5 rewards.
4. Treating formal procedures as the first response
Good practice resolves issues early and informally. Answers that jump straight to formal procedures miss an important point about managing the relationship.
The theme: apply and evaluate. 5HR01 rewards applying law and practice to scenarios and evaluating what works, not describing rules.
If your 5HR01 draft has been referred, our draft review identifies exactly which of these issues cost marks and how to fix them.
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