2020 Planned Closures of USCIS Field Offices
USCIS is continuing with the planned closure of 13 US international field offices and 3 district offices by August 2020. USCIS operated 23 international offices in 20 countries around the globe. While it had previously advised of plans to close all of its international offices by March 2020, USCIS confirmed in a statement last summer […]
New H-1B Electronic Visa Registration Process
A new registration process takes effect for the forthcoming H-1B cap selection process which, according to USCIS, will deliver overall cost savings to petitioning employers. Following completion of a pilot testing phase in 2019, USCIS has confirmed it will be implementing the new electronic registration process in the next H-1B visa lottery for the fiscal […]
Ethical Veganism is a Belief Protected by Law, Tribunal Rules
A dismissed employee has been told by an employment tribunal that his ethical veganism is protected against discrimination by UK law. The Employment Tribunal in Norwich held that the beliefs of an ethical vegan qualify as religious or philosophical beliefs and that the employee is entitled to equality protections under the Equality Act 2010. The […]
Controversial US Health Insurance Mandate Blocked Temporarily
A federal judge in Oregon has temporarily blocked President Trump’s order to deny visas to immigrants without health insurance. On October 4, 2019, a Presidential Proclamation suspended entry of immigrants into the US without approved health coverage or without the ability to pay for foreseeable medical issues within 30 days of entering the country. The […]
Online giants pledge to tackle fake online reviews
Facebook and eBay have signed agreements pledging to combat the use of fake and misleading reviews on their sites. Following an investigation by the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) last year, both sites have responded to the CMA’s demand to take measures to better identify, investigate and respond to fake and misleading reviews. Three […]
Overhaul of US Immigration Regulations Ahead of Election
2020 is set to bring wide-ranging reforms in US immigration regulations as the Trump Administration moves ahead with planned changes against a deadline of this year’s Presidential election. The proposed rules, as outlined in the Government’s Unified Agenda for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), will, if enacted, profoundly affect employers, H-1B and L-1 visa […]
US Public Charge Update
A number of US courts have blocked the Trump Administration from using new, tougher rules on US immigration applications from low-income immigrants. The Public Charge Final Rule is currently being litigated and some courts have issued an injunction, preventing the new rules from being applied until the legal challenges are resolved. On August 14, 2019, […]
No Fault Divorce Bill Set to Go Before Parliament
The Ministry of Justice has announced that the so-called ‘no fault’ divorce Bill is to be one of the first bills tabled in the new Parliament. In news welcomed by the national family justice body, Resolution, the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill is being reintroduced into Parliament on 7th January having first been promised by […]
Companies House Reforms Consultation Launched
The government has launched a consultation on wide-ranging reforms of the Companies House register, aimed at tackling misuse and ensuring accuracy. The proposals, set out in detail in an 80-page consultation document, are aimed at providing businesses and consumers with increased protections from fraud, misuse of information and criminal activity. The reforms also include specific […]
Employer Round-up of Latest Employment Law Changes
A number of UK employment law changes have come into force in recent weeks. Employers should take careful note of these new rules and respond accordingly. Increase in the national minimum wage The new national minimum wage rates came into effect on 1st April 2019. Employers must now pay workers at least: Aged 25 and […]
61% of Businesses have Suffered a Serious Data Breach
61% of IT professionals have experienced a data breach at their organisation, according to research by McAfee into today’s global security landscape. With responses from IT professionals in the UK, US, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India and Singapore from a number of different industries, the survey results suggest organisations are struggling across the board to […]
Drugs Companies Accused of Breaking Competition Laws at a Cost of £5m to NHS
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has accused four pharmaceutical firms of colluding illegally between 2013 and 2018 to restrict the supply and drive up the price of an anti-nausea drug. In a statement of objections, the CMA alleges the cost of Prochlorperazine rose from £6.49 per pack to £51.68 after Alliance Pharma, Focus, Lexon […]
New Parent Discrimination Claims on Rise
Employment law professionals are reporting increases in maternity and paternity related discrimination claims in the last 12 months, according to research by Direct Line Insurance. Issues have included women claiming they were dismissed when on maternity leave, men claiming harassment and demotion on their return to work after taking paternity leave and more instances of […]
Government Pilots New Register of Retail Landlords
The Government has announced the introduction of a new register of retail landlords. In an effort to boost commercial leases within high street retail, the register is intended to speed up the leasing process by making it easier for prospective tenants to identify owners of high street properties. According to research by Estates Gazette looking […]
Dramatic Rise in Disability Discrimination Claims at Tribunals
The number of disability discrimination claims brought to employment tribunals increased last year by 37%, from 4,770 claims in 2017 to 6,550 in 2018. According to Ministry of Justice figures, this growth rate is eight times that of all tribunal claims, which rose by 4% over the same period. Experts are attributing the rise in […]
New Law in Force to Protect Drivers from Unfair Parking Fines
A new law has come into force to provide motorists with greater protection from rogue private parking companies. The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019 took effect today with the aim of bringing to an end unfair parking charges and fines. Under the new legislation, private parking companies face enhanced regulation and are now required […]
HSE: 44% of work-related stress caused by high workload
According to figures from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), 44% of stress or depression at work is caused by high workload. The HSE figures also show 23% of full-time employees admit to feeling burned out at work all the time. In 2017 alone, the HSE estimates around 15.4 million working days were lost due to […]
Apple and Qualcomm Settle Patent & Licensing Disputes
Apple and Qualcomm have brought their global patent and licensing battles to an end with an out of court settlement. A joint statement yesterday confirmed that an agreement had been reached to dismiss all ongoing litigation between the two companies worldwide, including with Apple’s contract manufacturers. The settlement includes a payment of royalties from Apple […]
HSE Investigates Gas Leak from North Sea Platform
A gas leak on a North Sea platform is being investigated by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE). In a statement, the HSE said an 80kg gas release had been reported, and the incident was under investigation. The incident took place on the Alba Northern installation 130 miles (210km) north east of Aberdeen on 3rd […]
Facebook Granted Patent for Tech that Passes On User Photos for Ads
Facebook has been granted a patent in the US for technology that enables the social media company to pass on users’ photographs to advertisers for use in online ads. The technology is referred to within the patent documentation as ‘computer-vision content detection for sponsored stories’. It can detect and tag images people have uploaded that […]