Licence to Occupy or Lease?
A licence to occupy can provide a property owner with a quick, easy and flexible way of letting out commercial premises, or even a room in their own home, avoiding the formalities and legalities of a commercial lease or residential tenancy. However, it is important to know how licences work, legally speaking, and when these […]
Dealing with long term sickness absence
Long term sickness absence requires careful management by employers. It is a balancing act between supporting the employee’s recovery and return to good health while minimising operational and performance disruption and mitigating legal risk exposure. Absence management should be considered in two parts: dealing with the employee’s absence from work and then managing their return […]
Graduate Visa: How to Stay in the UK
If you’re an international student in the UK and you want to stay in Britain after your studies, you may be eligible for the Graduate visa. The Graduate visa is a post-study work visa designed to help foreign graduates find work in the UK on completion of their studies. This immigration route is also aimed […]
Constructive dismissal bullying claims: HR help
An employee complaining of workplace bullying may be able to bring a tribunal claim for constructive dismissal if they resign as a result of their employer’s failure to deal with the unwanted behaviour. In this guide for employers, we look at how to reduce the risk of constructive dismissal claims for bullying by dealing with […]
Grievance at work: Employer FAQs
Grievances at work can arise in various contexts and cover a variety of employment rights and issues. Employers and employees are expected to follow ACAS guidance on resolving grievance and disciplinary issues, but it can be easy to fall foul of best practice during such a stressful and complex process, which can make resolution less achievable. […]
ACAS Early Conciliation Form Guide
If a workplace dispute has escalated and the employee is considering making a tribunal claim, there are steps they will need to follow before they can take their complaint to the Employment Tribunal. ACAS rules require a potential claimant to go through the Early Conciliation process before a tribunal claim can be issued. ACAS early […]
Unfair Dismissal Claim: Check Your Rights
If you can show you have been dismissed from work unfairly, you may be able to claim for unfair dismissal. Was your dismissal unfair? Employees have the right to be dismissed fairly. This means employers must show good reason for the dismissal and follow the correct legal process in dismissing someone. Dismissals can apply in […]
Without prejudice & protected conversations
Without prejudice and protected conversations have become an essential part of the HR toolkit, but they have to be used with care to avoid further issues arising. If you are looking to bring an employee’s contract of employment to an end, you may want to have an off the record chat with a view to […]
Resolving pay disputes (HR guide)
Pay disputes at work require swift action on the part of the employer to understand the reason for the complaint, and to identify and rectify any issues or errors. The following guide on pay disputes sets out employees’ rights and entitlement to pay and the basis upon which a claim for unpaid wages could be […]
Business Visitor Visa UK Guide
The so-called “business visitor visa” is not a standalone UK immigration category. It is a common term used to describe using the Standard Visitor Visa route to carry out specific, permitted business activities in the UK for a temporary period. These activities are defined under Appendix Visitor of the Immigration Rules and are tightly controlled […]
Written warning: disciplinary guide
An employer can give a written warning to an employee where they have breached the organisation’s disciplinary code, or their work or conduct has fallen short of what is expected. Employers however have to ensure they follow a fair and lawful disciplinary process to avoid the risk of tribunal claims. This guide offers employers further […]
Directors’ conflict of interest: how to comply
Directors operate under a number of duties as prescribed by law. In particular, directors must take positive actions in respect of any potential or actual conflict of interest. This duty is placed on the individual director and not the company. Failure to comply can lead to serious consequences, including criminal proceedings. Broadly speaking, there are […]
UK ETA Travel Permit Guide
The UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme is opening in 2023, as part of the government’s new universal “permission to travel” requirement. Under the new scheme, certain travellers, including non-visa nationals and Creative Worker visa holders, travelling to the UK will have to secure authorisation in advance of travel by completing an online form and paying […]
Seasonal Worker Visa: Temporary Work in the UK
The Seasonal Worker visa is for those looking to undertake seasonal work in the UK within the horticulture or poultry production sectors with an approved scheme operator. The following guide for workers and sponsors alike looks at the requirements and process to apply for a ‘Seasonal Worker visa UK’, with the rules around sponsoring seasonal […]
Skilled Worker Dependent Visa for Family Members
As one of the UK’s most popular immigration routes, the Skilled Worker route provides skilled migrants with the opportunity to live and work in the UK on a long term basis. It also provides a path to settlement. This means that, provided a visa-holder meets the relevant route-specific requirements, they can apply to permanently settle […]
How to Complete Form SET M
Foreign nationals living in the United Kingdom on various visas, including Family Visas on the Partner and Parent routes, are subject to time limits in line with their permission to live in the UK. This means that you and your dependents are subject to immigration control and do not possess all the rights and responsibilities […]
Not Getting Paid for Work I’ve Done: Your Rights
If you’ve not been paid for work you’ve completed, you will want to understand your rights and options. The following guide on your right to be paid, and to be paid on time, examines the employer’s obligations around the issue of pay, and whether or not they can refuse to pay or pay when they […]
Postnuptial Agreement Guide
When you’re getting married, it can seem counter-intuitive to contemplate separation or divorce. Still, it is not uncommon for couples to plan for the possible breakdown of their relationship by way of a prenuptial agreement. But even without a prenup in place prior to marriage, an agreement can be reached at any point after the […]
IVF Laws in the UK
In vitro fertilisation (IVF) has become one of the most revolutionary medical and scientific advancements of our time. IVF is the process of fertilisation that takes place outside of the human body with the embryo being returned to the body to be carried through to birth. While the treatment is not guaranteed to be successful, IVF […]
Prenuptial Agreements: Not Just For the Rich & Famous
A prenuptial agreement can help provide more clarity and certainty about how assets, funds and debts are dealt with after a couple divorces. Traditionally considered to be the preserve of the rich and famous, prenuptial agreements are becoming increasingly common as couples look to exert more control over their finances should they separate. Perhaps you […]