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Orange lifebuoy attached to a wooden post on a sandy beach with the sea in the background.

Coastguard volunteer classed as ‘worker’ by the Employment Appeal Tribunal

The Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) ruled that a volunteer for the Coastguard Rescue Service (CRS) was a ‘worker’ when performing activities for which he was entitled to claim payment. Mr Groom was a volunteer Coastal Rescue Officer (CRO) for the CRS and worked under a volunteer agreement. The handbook described membership of the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) as ‘entirely voluntary’ and stated that the relationship between MCA and its volunteers was a ‘voluntary two-way commitment where no contract of employment

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19th June 2024
Volunteers sorting food and clothes at a donation centre.

Why volunteering is good for business

This week is Volunteers’ Week (3-9 June) which is an opportunity to recognise the contribution people make through volunteering. An estimated 14.2 million people in the UK volunteered through a group, club or organisation in 2021/22. Research from Pilotlight indicates that approximately 6 million of the UK workforce utilise their work skills for volunteering, benefitting over 8,000 charities and social enterprises every year.  Benefits to the volunteer Volunteering is a great way to make a difference and give something back,

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4th June 2024
Judge's gavel resting on a desk in an empty courtroom.

Employee with severe Menopause symptoms wins claim of disability discrimination

An administrator who worked at a crane hire business for 27 years and whose manager ignored her complaints, has won a disability discrimination case relating to menopause. The tribunal heard how the claimant’s symptoms had a ‘profound’ impact on her ‘day to day activities’ and ‘it felt to her like she had a goldfish bowl on her head’.  The claimant experienced a wide range of both mental health and physical symptoms including, low mood, anxiety, low self-esteem, tiredness, fatigue and

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29th May 2024
Group of smiling teenagers sitting outdoors, reading and writing together.

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
Chelsea Stamford Bridge

Premier League groundsman unfairly dismissed but scores ‘own goal’

The London Central Employment Tribunal has found that a groundsman at a Premier League Football Club was unfairly dismissed when the club sacked him with immediate effect and without investigation. The tribunal heard how in 2021 the employee began a period of sick leave citing ‘stress at work’.  In October 2021, he submitted a grievance against his manager alleging that at the works Christmas party in 2019 he had spiked his drinks, let the tyres on his car down, ‘pursued

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7th May 2024
Asian young girl cold sick she sneeze with tissue paper on sofa

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
father eating working from home

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
gavel and soundblock of justice law and lawyer working on wooden

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
Judge gavel with lawyers advice legal at law firm in background.

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
corporate social responsibility benefits to business

Why every organisation should embrace CSR

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is an organisation’s approach to business sustainability that looks beyond the bottom line and focuses on its economic, social and environmental impact. Although not a legal requirement, CSR is now considered to be a moral obligation and an integral part of how organisations operate. Not only will embracing CSR have multiple benefits for the organisation, but it will also provide opportunities for the wider community. It’s not just about ticking boxes and it isn’t only practised

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31st January 2024
flat lay faces with emotions sticky notes blue monday

Don’t let the winter blues dampen work productivity

Employee health and wellbeing is of paramount importance throughout the year. However, employers should pay particular attention to the gloomy winter months when the days are colder and shorter, we have less energy, and our vitamin D levels dip. The general feeling of the workforce can sometimes appear melancholy after over-indulging during the festive break, and with some also feeling the pinch of Christmas, it’s understandably a challenging time and easy for the January blues kick in. This can leave

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11th January 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