Employing an apprentice: how-to guide
If your organisation is looking to employ an apprentice, there will be a lot to consider in relation to the type of individual you can recruit, the role they can take on, the rules on pay and other benefits, as well as making the most of the financial incentives available to employers. The Government most […]
Dismissing an employee with less than 2 years’ service
When dismissing an employee with less than 2 years service, it will be important for employers to be aware of the potential legal pitfalls. While in most cases of employment under 2 years, the employer does not necessarily need to justify their decision to dismiss, or even follow a fair procedure, there are many reasons […]
Compulsory Face Covering Rules Now in Force
The rules on wearing face coverings in England and Scotland have been extended from 8 August 2020. People must now wear face masks in museums, galleries, cinemas and places of worship, as well as shops, indoor shopping centres, transport hubs, supermarkets, takeaways, banks and on public transport. The mandatory requirements have become enforceable by law. […]
ACAS Code of Practice: quick reference guide
The ACAS codes of practice are advisory documents created by the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) and approved by parliament. Each ACAS code of practice sets out fair behaviour guidelines for employers and employees in five key areas of employment practice, as summarised in this guide. Employment law issues arise in all workplace environments. […]
The Benefits of an International Tax Review
For businesses who trade and operate in more than one country, the value of carrying out an international tax review cannot be underestimated, bringing together the complexities of: international tax legislation, including ongoing changes developments within your business and future planning commercial and political changes worldwide International tax legislation Any company who operates across international […]
Home Office to End Use of Controversial Algorithm
The Home Office has confirmed it will cease use of its controversial algorithm within UK visa application processing. The announcement comes as migrant rights groups the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI) and Foxglove prepared to challenge the use of the software by way of judicial review. Campaign groups claimed the tool was […]
Unfair dismissal & zero hours contracts
While zero-hours arrangements can bring flexibility and agility to an organisation, employers should be aware that those individuals engaged on zero-hours contracts do benefit from a range of employment law protections. These include rights and entitlements relating to pay, paid annual leave and rest breaks. Furthermore, individuals on zero hours contracts may also have the […]
High Court Rules Humanist Marriages Not Legally Recognised – Yet
Six UK couples have lost a landmark challenge over the legal recognition of humanist marriages. The High Court found that, despite constituting “discrimination”, humanist weddings are not legally recognised in the same way as religious ceremonies, but stopped short of saying the government is acting illegally. Under current law, couples marrying in a humanist ceremony […]
Direct discrimination at work: HR guide
The COVID-19 ‘new normal’ working environment is one in which employers must take every possible step to safeguard the wellbeing of their staff, or risk being in breach of their statutory duty to protect the health, safety and welfare of their workforce. In taking action to meet your health and safety duties, employers should also […]
Shortlisting process: guide for HR
Shortlisting is a crucial stage within the recruitment process in which employers are required to identify the candidates from their applicant pool who best meet the essential and desirable criteria for the job opening in question. Rising unemployment levels are putting greater pressure on the recruitment, selection and shortlisting process. Employers are now handling increasing […]
P2B Regulation Takes Effect in EU & UK
Online platforms and search engines are now operating under new rules designed to promote fairness and transparency for their business users. The Platform to Business Regulation (EU) 2019/1150 (P2B Regulation) took effect in the UK and EU member states on 12 July 2020. The new rules apply to online intermediation services and search engines based […]
Employment case law update July 2020
A number of key employment law cases of significance for employers have recently been decided. Unfair dismissal Evans v London Borough of Brent The Employment Appeal Tribunal held that, where no compensation will be awarded but where there is a reasonable prospect of success, an unfair dismissal claim should not be struck out. The EAT […]
UK Unveils New Hong Kong BNO Visa
The UK is opening a new immigration route that will allow British National (Overseas) citizens from Hong Kong to come to the UK to live, work or study and will offer a path to British citizenship. The Hong Kong BN(O) visa will be available from January 2021 to Hong Kong’s British National (Overseas) passport holders […]
Redundancy when pregnant: fair dismissal?
According to studies conducted by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, it is estimated that over 50,000 women could be losing their jobs each year because of pregnancy or maternity – and this was prior to the pandemic. With reports that the number of women seeking […]
Positive action in the workplace
Employers are under a legal duty not to discriminate against prospective or existing employees, either negatively or positively. However, that is not to say employers cannot take ‘positive action’ to assist certain groups of people that are potentially at a disadvantage or under-represented within their workforce. In this article we examine what amounts to taking […]
Apply for EU Settled Status
Under the EU settled status scheme, EEA citizens currently in the UK are required to register with the Home Office to confirm their continued right to live, work and remain in the UK after 30 June 2021. UK settled status will allow you to live and work in the UK indefinitely. You will also be […]
Landlord ‘No DSS’ Bans Ruled Unlawful & Discriminatory
A court in England has ruled that blanket bans on letting properties to people claiming housing benefits are unlawful, discriminatory and contrary to equality laws. The decision relates to the case of a single mother of two who became homeless after a letting agent refused to rent a property to her. She had been looking […]
Occupational sick pay: HR guide
Managing occupational sick pay can often be complicated. The following guide for employers looks at the rules on occupational sick pay – including entitlement, rates and duration – and how this differs to statutory sick pay. We also look at what happens when sick pay comes to an end, and how both long-term and short-term […]
UK Import Guide
If you are establishing UK-based operations and plan to start importing goods into the UK, you will need to familiarise yourself with the import rules. Failure to follow the rules, however unintentional, can lead to delays, additional expense and legal issues. In this guide, we summarise what businesses need to know about bringing goods into […]
Grievance procedure steps
A grievance is a work-related complaint brought by an employee. Grievances should be used to bring issues to the employer’s attention for the matter to be investigated and resolved fairly. Examples of reasons for making a work-related grievance can include health and safety concerns, harassment from another member of staff, the behaviour of a line […]