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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

ING 19060 81769

New fire safety legislation – what you need to know!

We have seen a substantial overhaul of UK fire safety over the last two years with a myriad of changes designed to tighten up and improve fire safety legislation. The latest update came into force on 1 October 2023, and implemented phase 3 of the Home Office’s fire safety reform programme. This requires enhanced collaboration and coordination between responsible persons (RPs) and, imposes stricter requirements on recording and sharing of fire safety information. It also simplifies the process for enforcement

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30th October 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

Managing Safely

Why ‘Managing Safely’ is important

It is a legal requirement for employers to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of their employees. It is also good business practice. Failure to manage health and safety in the workplace can have serious consequences for both employers and employees including accidents and incidents causing serious injury and even death, leading to sanctions such as heavy fines, imprisonment, and reputational damage to the business. There are 3 fundamental reasons why it is essential for employers to implement appropriate measures

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13th September 2023

employees cannot afford to be sick

Research indicates that many employees cannot afford to be sick

New data suggests that UK workers are being pushed to the brink of burnout, anxiety and depression due to financial worries as they fear they can’t afford to take time off when they are ill. Statutory sick pay (SSP) is currently £109.40 a week (around a third of the minimum wage). It is paid from the fourth consecutive day of illness for up to 28 weeks to eligible employees whose average weekly earnings are more than £123 a week, meaning

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12th September 2023

Sexual harassment concept with man and woman in office

New duty on employers to proactively prevent sexual harassment in the workplace

Earlier this year, the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Bill passed through the House of Commons. This private member’s bill initially proposed amendments to the Equality Act 2010 to make employers liable for third-party harassment and to introduce a duty requiring employers to take ‘all reasonable steps’ to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. However, following a debate in the House of Lords in July, the new employer liability for third-party harassment has been dropped from the draft

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4th September 2023

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Is The Great Resignation now ‘over’?

Last year an unprecedented number of people quit their jobs, feeling the need to move organisations to progress their career, or achieve other personal goals following an extended period of working from home during the pandemic. As the job market improved at the fastest pace seen for many years, there were more opportunities for those wanting to move for better pay, benefits and job fulfilment. However, according to economists and labour market analysts, the phenomenon is now over, with the

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21st August 2023

work accident

Latest fatality figures published by HSE

According to recent data published by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), 135 workers were killed in work-related incidents in Great Britain in the last year. The data covers the period from April 2022 to March 2023 and highlights an increase on last year’s figures, with the construction sector reporting most deaths. Other industries reporting high numbers of worker deaths include agriculture, forestry and fishing, manufacturing, and transportation and storage. Agriculture and forestry and fishing had the highest rate of

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17th August 2023

Cartoon businessman gymnastic working at office with graph and diagram vector flat illustration. Business male having flexible work time schedule at workplace isolated. Balance and planning concept

How is the right to request Flexible Working changing?

The Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act 2023 now awaits Royal Assent after passing its third reading in the House of Lords. The Flexible Working bill introduces some significant changes to current UK employment law. In this article, we will outline what this means for employers and how they can prepare for flexible working requests within their organisation in readiness for when the bill becomes law. As it currently stands Any employee who has worked in an organisation for 26 weeks

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24th July 2023

Protecting outdoor workers from UV radiation exposure

With the summer months upon us, it is important for employers not to underestimate the seriousness of harmful UV rays, and communicate the importance of applying sun protection to any outdoor workers. Employees who work outdoors have a higher-than-average risk of developing skin cancer. However, a recent YouGov survey commissioned by SC Johnson Professional in April, found that 1 in 3 of participants never apply UV protection cream whilst working outdoors. Reasons cited for this include; they didn’t think it

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29th June 2023

GPs could be told to issue fewer sick notes – what would this mean for HR?

Under government plans to boost the economy, GPs could soon be told to issue fewer sick notes. The number of people out of the labour market due to long-term sickness absence has been rising in recent years. Data from the Office for National Statistics revealed that between June and August 2022, around 2.5 million people reported long-term sickness as the main reason for economic inactivity (up from around 2 million in 2019). The Society of Occupational Medicine has reported that: “One-third

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19th June 2023

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