HR / Employment Law News

Will a refusal to hold an appeal always render a dismissal unfair?

For those of you in HR, the answer may surprise you…because it’s “No”! In certain circumstances, a dismissal can still be fair even where the employer refuses to hear an appeal. Now, don’t get too excited! In the vast majority of circumstances, the right of appeal should still be offered and the appeal process followed. However, it’s not always essential to the fairness of a dismissal as confirmed in the recent EAT case: Moore v Phoenix Product Development Limited. The

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23rd September 2021

Did sending a pregnant woman home during lockdown amount to discrimination?

That is the question the Tribunal had to answer in the recent case of Prosser v Community Gateway Association Ltd and they found, on the facts of this case, that it did not. Ms Prosser was employed by the Association on a zero hours contract, working an average of 4 shifts per month prior to the coronavirus pandemic. Having informed her Line Manager on 13 March 2020 that she was pregnant, she was forwarded a link to the government advice

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9th August 2021

holiday pay

We’re all going on a summer holiday……..or are we?

The sun is shining, school is out and the pubs are open, all great news for the popularity of the UK ‘staycation’, but many people are still thinking of booking/re-booking a long overdue foreign holiday. As an employer already dealing with the impact of increasing rates of infection and self-isolation, you may be confused about exactly what rules apply to foreign travel, and worried about the impact of constantly changing quarantine rules on your operation. In this article we provide

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22nd July 2021

Feeling Hot Hot Hot: Tips on working in high temperatures

The UK is currently experiencing a heatwave, summer is here at last, and once again we are being asked about what employers must do for their employees working in high temperatures. The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, make no reference to a maximum temperature, it is down to a risk assessment. However, there are some key issues that employers need to be mindful of in order to maintain employee safety and wellbeing, whether your staff are based indoors

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20th July 2021

Preparing for a return to the workplace – Health & Safety Measures

Since the pandemic hit the UK, people’s homes have become for many their main place of work. But just as we’ve settled in and got used to our video calls freezing, Amazon packages turning up midway through a meeting and pets running riot, the rules are changing… From 19 July, the UK Government is no longer instructing people to work from home if they can. But is this likely to pile on the pressure for employers when it comes to

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19th July 2021

Changes to Right to Work Checks and the closure of the Settlement Scheme

With a number of changes related to ‘Right to Work’ processes looming, we take a look at what’s changing and what’s required of you as an employer in order to remain legally compliant. Due to Brexit transition periods and the pandemic, these changes have been phased in over a longer period than originally intended. As of 1 July 2021, though, they come into force in full. Firstly, employers need to ensure that a right to work check is conducted for

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1st July 2021

No jab, No job: COVID-19 jabs to become mandatory for care home staff in England

COVID-19 vaccinations are to become mandatory for some care home staff under plans to be announced by the Government, and it is considering extending the move to all NHS staff. Workers who provide direct personal care, including any working/visiting adults (e.g. volunteers, hairdressers, tradespeople, beauticians) will have 16 weeks to get both jabs from the time regulations are approved by Parliament. Failure to have the jab means they face being redeployed away from front-line care or potentially losing their job

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29th June 2021

Remote Working: How Secure Is Your Data?

As businesses start to return to ‘a new normal’, there are some difficult conversations to be had between employers and their staff. With a growing desire for flexible working across all industries, businesses have some critical decisions to make on the technology they are using and how they decide to operate long-term. There are three key choices that all companies are facing right now; bring everyone back to the office when safe to do so; operate via a hybrid work

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23rd June 2021

Hybrid: The work model everyone’s talking about…

Hybrid working has been around for some time, but it has become a buzzword since the pandemic. According to a recent YouGov survey, most people would prefer to have a balance with the option to work some of their week remotely and some of it from their workplace – this is the simplest example of a hybrid model. The reality is: hybrid working is here to stay and whether you choose to fully embrace it or not, employers need to

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8th June 2021

kickstart scheme

The Kickstart Scheme partner you’ve been waiting for…

During summer last year, the Chancellor announced a new employer initiative ‘The Kickstart Scheme’ aimed at supporting unemployed young people. Those aged 16-24 on Universal Credit would be provided with a 6 month paid work placement that would set them up with the experience needed to get them back on their feet and in the direction of a future career. The Kickstart Scheme is an opportunity for YOU to recruit the latest talent and grow your business, all fully subsidised!

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25th May 2021

Mediation – An effective and low-cost 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, but more often, it can be damaging and destructive to an organisation and intervention will usually be required to get a working relationship back on track. When disputes occur, it will almost always result in a stressful and unpleasant working environment for the people involved and colleagues who have to work alongside them. This can lead to a lack of

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24th May 2021

Is workplace conflict costing you more than you think?

When it comes to Mediation in the workplace and managing the wellbeing of your team, any concerns must be dealt with effectively. If not, they could escalate to much more serious problems such as stress-related absenteeism, grievances and even tribunal claims. According to this year’s report from ACAS ‘Estimating the Costs of Workplace Conflict’, 485,800 employees resign each year as a result of conflict. This analysis also estimates a total cost of £28.5 billion to businesses due to poor management

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24th May 2021

You are not alone….

91 million working days are lost annually in the UK due to mental health issues, costing £30 billion per year. The COVID pandemic has resulted in mental health support and employee wellbeing becoming more of a priority than ever before. With more and more people suffering from isolation and anxiety caused by lockdown, employers have a duty of care to up the ante when it comes to their support. More people are working remotely, so they may feel the affects of

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18th May 2021

How can you support your team’s wellbeing?

Over the past year, we’ve all had to deal with change. Change in the way we live, work and socialise. These changes have meant that the mental health and wellbeing of employees has had to become a focus for employers. With 30.9% (7.4 million adults) people reporting that their well-being has been affected by loneliness in 2020, suggesting a direct link with remote working, employers have a legal duty to take practical steps in helping their employees. In this article,

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10th May 2021

Burnout: The early signs to look out for as an employer & how to tackle it

Following the past year, it’s no surprise that psychologists are reporting a rise in “pandemic burnout” according to The Guardian. Many people have found themselves isolated with financial difficulty, on top of the obvious health concerns. Reports are showing significant percentages when it comes to people feeling the pressures of working from home. For example, 74% of UK adults have felt so stressed at some point over the last year they felt overwhelmed or unable to cope according to the

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12th April 2021

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