HR / Employment Law News

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How to get the best out of young people entering the world of work

With exam season in full swing, there will soon be thousands of school, college and university leavers considering their next move, with many seeking an apprenticeship or full-time employment. Young workers can be an effective way to grow talent and develop a motivated, skilled, and qualified workforce. However, the journey from education to the workplace can often be a difficult time as the change in approach and behaviour that is expected is significant. The Gen Z cohort, who make up

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23rd May 2024

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Is sickness absence slowing your business?

Whilst some level of absence in the workplace is unavoidable, if not managed correctly, sickness absence can escalate, resulting in financial costs and reduced employee morale. Recently reported stats include: In July 2023, the number of people absent from work due to long-term sickness in the UK rose by more than 30%. In 2022, the sickness absence rate in the UK rose to 2.6%, the highest it’s been since 2004 when it was 2.7%. In 2022, the number of working days

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25th March 2024

woman packing up belongings at desk redundancy

How to ensure a fair redundancy process

After rising sharply during the pandemic, redundancy levels reached their lowest since records began from the period March to May 2022, as businesses struggled to recruit in a tight labour market. However, as labour demands have now slowed, redundancies have increased. And with the continuing challenges associated with rising costs, many employers may find themselves planning redundancies, some for the first time. Employers have certain obligations when considering redundancy, whether it relates to a standalone position or a group. Redundancy dismissal

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18th March 2024

2024 text with hourglass on table. Resolution, time, plan, goal,

Key employment law changes in April

There are a number of Employment Law changes due to be introduced in April. COVID holiday carryover The law that allowed up to 4 weeks of annual leave to be carried over into the next 2 holiday years has ceased to apply, meaning that carried over leave must be used by 31 March. Minimum Wage The National Living Wage age band will be widened to incorporate those aged 21 and over and NLW and NMW rates will rise from 1 April

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11th March 2024

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The right to request flexible working is changing!

In July 2023, the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Bill received royal assent and became the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act 2023. The Bill introduces some significant changes to current UK employment law from 6 April. This article summarises these changes and what they mean for employers. Current position Any employee who has worked in an organisation for 26 weeks or longer is entitled to make one formal flexible working request during any 12-month period. This includes requests for part-time, term-time, flexitime,

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7th March 2024

UK Pound Sterling And Law Symbol Cost Of Justice Concept

Government consults about the reintroduction of tribunal fees

The Conservative Government has launched a consultation proposing the reintroduction of ‘modest’ Employment Tribunal fees. The consultation, available until 25 March 2024, seeks to reinstate fees for claimants, aiming to offset the tribunals’ running costs. Unlike other Civil Courts, the Employment Tribunal provides a (theoretically!) less formal venue for employees to address alleged breaches of employment rights by their employers. Previously fee-free, the Employment Tribunal implemented a fee system in July 2013, categorising claims into Type A or B, each

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20th February 2024

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Injury to Feelings in Discrimination Cases

A variety of claims can be filed in the Employment Tribunal (“ET”), and among them, discrimination claims under the Equality Act 2010 often stand out. The case facts can be interesting, and the compensation can be significant. If a discrimination claim is substantiated, the ET can make awards covering financial losses and “injury to feelings,” among other remedies. When examining a Claimant’s schedule of loss – which outlines their assessment of the value of their claims – special attention is

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7th February 2024

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Security guard who had lost most of his sight found to have been unfairly dismissed by Mitie

A tribunal has ruled that security company Mitie failed to make reasonable adjustments for a security guard who had lost most of his sight and that his subsequent dismissal was unfair. The claimant was employed as a security guard from January 2018 until he was dismissed in September 2021. The tribunal heard that he first started to suffer problems in or around October 2020 and had lost all vision in his left eye and 75 per cent in his right

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5th February 2024

2023 chcnge to 2024 year block with judge gavel on table. Law, l

5 Employment Law changes to prepare for in 2024

It is often difficult for employers and HR professionals to keep abreast with ever-evolving Employment Law. So with 2024 on the horizon, we have summarised 5 key Employment Law changes that organisations should be preparing for. Changes to Flexible Working As it currently stands, any employee who has worked in an organisation for 26 weeks or longer is entitled to make one formal flexible working request during any 12-month period. The main headline in this regard is the introduction of

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11th December 2023

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Changes to legislation regarding Holiday Leave and Pay – what do they mean for employers?

In the UK the right to paid annual leave is governed by the Working Time Regulations 1998 (WTR), which were themselves derived from the EU Working Time Directive. Since these regulations were drafted, the labour market has significantly evolved, particularly in terms of the growth of atypical and flexible working and the emergence of the gig economy, working arrangements which the WTR’s do not easily accommodate. In addition, there has been a large body of case law emanating from the

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21st November 2023

Employee Wellbeing strategy

Employers without a Wellbeing strategy now in the minority!

According to new research from Mintago, the number of employees voicing wellbeing concerns is on the rise. However, a significant number of UK organisations are failing to provide sufficient wellbeing support. As part of the research, 503 senior managers within UK-based organisations, both in the public and private sector, were surveyed. The results revealed that in the past 12 months, an overwhelming majority (87%) had been approached by an employee to discuss wellbeing concerns. Mental health (48%), job satisfaction (43%)

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9th November 2023

Retailer to pay £25k for failing to make reasonable adjustments

Retailer to pay £25k for failing to make reasonable adjustments

High Street Retailer ordered to pay £25k to a disabled worker after failing to make reasonable adjustments. An Employment Tribunal has ruled that motoring retailer, Halfords Autocentres Ltd, discriminated against an employee with cerebral palsy on the basis of his disability. The employee began working at Halfords Autocentre in Milton Keynes in October 2019. He disclosed his condition during the interview and explained that he struggled with some tasks, such as changing tyres. His condition affected his left side, producing

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2nd November 2023

disciplinary process

5 critical steps to a fair disciplinary process

Managing disciplinary issues in the workplace is something few managers relish. However, employers could be exposed to potentially valid unfair dismissal claims if the fundamental basics are not followed. Most organisations will have their own policies and procedures which must be adhered to when managing disciplinary issues. However, those procedures must also comply with the relevant ACAS Code of Practice. Handling a disciplinary issue can be a daunting prospect. In this article we look at 5 steps which are critical

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23rd October 2023

Resolving Workplace Conflict

Mediation: An effective and efficient way of resolving workplace conflict

Conflict in the workplace is unavoidable. Everyone has experienced it to some degree. Some conflict can be positive and constructive, if handled appropriately, but without the right process and structure in place it often ends up being damaging and destructive to an organisation. Mediation can be used at any stage in the conflict situation to try and get the working relationship back on track. When disputes occur, it will almost always result in a stressful and unpleasant working environment for

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9th October 2023

ai in hr

How AI is reshaping the HR landscape

Artificial Intelligence (AI) could revolutionise the way HR professionals work. This article explores the key potential benefits which could be harnessed, but also the significant challenges involved. Recruitment & Retention No more filtering through mountains of CV’s, AI can do this for you. It can also conduct video interviews to assess candidate suitability and ensure a cultural fit, providing time and cost saving benefits during the recruitment process. AI could also help predict employee turnover by analysing job satisfaction and

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2nd October 2023

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