Contract of Employment (A Guide for Employers!)
As an employer it is your responsibility to keep abreast of any changes in the law and to ensure that when taking on new staff, or renewing contracts for existing staff, that your practices comply with current legislation. As such, it is incumbent upon you to ensure that you provide a legally compliant contract of employment, […]
Early Conciliation in Employee Disputes
When faced with an employee dispute early conciliation can be one of the most expeditious and cost-effective methods of resolution for all parties involved. In this way both you and your employee, or ex-employee, may avoid the time, expense and stress associated with employment tribunal proceedings. What is early conciliation? Early conciliation is a system […]
What is the Minimum Wage? (A Guide for Employers!)
As an employer it is your responsibility to keep abreast of any changes in the law, not least the requirement to pay eligible workers the national minimum wage – and to do so in accordance with the correct rate. No matter how small your enterprise, you are statutorily obliged to pay almost all workers the […]
Sick Pay Entitlement
Most employees who are absent from work due to illness are entitled to some kind of sick pay entitlement. Broadly speaking, an employees’ sick pay could take one of two forms, Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) or occupational sick pay. SSP is the legal minimum sick pay requirement, while occupational sick pay is a contractual term […]
Making Changes to an Employment Contract
There may be instances where employers need to think about making changes to an employment contract. An employment contract is a legally binding agreement made between you, the employer, and your employee. Employment contracts should be carefully worded with the guidance of a legal expert to provide certainty and clarity for both parties as to […]
Settlement Agreement (What are they?)
A settlement agreement, is a legally binding contract which is typically agreed between an employee and their employer. While they can be entered into at any stage of an employment relationship, settlement agreements are generally used before termination of employment following a workplace dispute or grievance. Settlement agreements were previously known as ‘compromise agreements’. Importantly, […]
Renewing or Ending a Commercial Lease Agreement?
If you are a business tenant and the commercial lease for your business premises is due to expire you will need to consider your next steps. You must determine whether you want to end or renew your lease, and if the latter under what terms, and communicate your intentions to your landlord. To ensure a […]
Resolving a Commercial Dispute
A commercial dispute with a supplier, contractor, shareholder or business partner can be time-consuming and costly to resolve. Whether you are dealing with a breach of contract or professional negligence, it would always be preferable to avoid a dispute altogether. However, where disagreement does arise, steps will need to be taken for resolution. But before […]
How to Patent an Idea
A patent gives the owner legal rights in respect of a new invention that exclude others from selling, making, using or profiting from their invention for a limited time period. If you have invented a product or process which is new, innovative and has industry applications, you might be considering applying for a patent to […]
US B1 B2 Visa for Business and Tourism
If you are ineligible for the Visa Waiver Program, to gain lawful entry into the USA for short-term visit you will be required to apply for a visa. For temporary stays, the B1 visa category allows entry into the US for foreign nationals looking to carry out business in the USA, and the B2 for […]
Health and Safety Responsibilities of Employees
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (the Act) ensures health and safety in the workplace. Although primary responsibility lies with the employer, the Act also specifies the health and safety responsibilities of employees to ensure the health, safety and welfare of people in the workplace is sufficiently safeguarded. The respective responsibilities rely heavily […]
Managing Health and Safety in the Workplace
As an employer you are required by law to comply with your duties for managing health and saftey in the workplace under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Part 1 of The Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 requires employers to take all reasonably practicable steps to safeguard the health, safety […]
What are Right to Work Checks?
It is incumbent upon all UK employers, irrespective of size or sector, to ensure that both prospective and existing employees are legally entitled to work in the UK. The consequences of failing to carry out right to works checks, or to do so correctly, can have serious consequences for you individually, as well as your […]
Civil Penalty Immigration: Employing Illegal Workers
Under the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 your business may be liable for a civil penalty if you employ someone who does not have permission to work in the UK or do the work on offer. All UK employers are under a duty to prevent illegal working by carrying out prescribed document checks. This […]
Sponsor Licence Renewal: Guide for Employers
Sponsor licences are initially granted to employers for a period of four years. If you wish to continue employing non-EEA workers beyond this four-year point, you will need to apply to the Home Office to renew your sponsor licence ahead of its expiry. Sponsor licences do not automatically renew. An expired sponsor licence will mean […]