Break the taboo and talk about menopause
Menopause in the workplace: How to support your employees, will be held on Tuesday 30th January at 10am. The online seminar will promote awareness, talk about how the menopause can impact work and offer tips and guidance to business owners on how they can support their employees. Victoria Templeton, HR Knowledge Manager and Sue Watson, […]
Insightful results of annual SME Business Survey to be revealed at Your Business Expo
Recession, cost of living, recruitment and bringing in new business are the biggest concerns from business owners, according to the results of our latest SME Business Survey. At the end of last year we launched our fourth annual business survey and will reveal the full results in an insightful seminar at a Northamptonshire business exhibition […]
Case Law Update: Palmer vs AIMS Markets Limited
In the case of Palmer vs AIMS Markets Limited, Mr Palmer applied for a role as a senior HR professional but was unsuccessful following alleged comments from the prospective employer that they wished to recruit ‘fewer white men’. Whilst he was unsuccessful in his discrimination claims, the employment tribunal decided that he did not have […]
Forthcoming changes to the National Minimum Wage and the new National Living Wage age band
This is a reminder for businesses to budget and plan for the forthcoming change to the National Living Wage banding. Currently, the National Living Wage (NLW) applies to workers who are aged 23 and over, but from 1 April 2024 this minimum age will be lowered, so that the NLW will apply to all workers […]
Understanding and addressing Blue Monday in the workplace
Coined in 2004 by a psychologist working for a holiday company, ‘Blue Monday’ rolls around every year on the third Monday in January and is often dubbed ‘the most depressing day of the year.’ Initially created as part of a marketing campaign, the concept aimed to encourage booking holidays by capitalising on post-holiday blues, financial […]
The Paternity Leave (Amendment) Regulations 2024
Proposals were announced today (12 January 2024), that would see changes to the laws around time off for paternity leave, which if go ahead are expected to come into force from April 2024. Current Paternity Leave Entitlements Statutory paternity leave is an entitlement that provides eligible employees with up to two weeks of paid time […]
Increase to fines for employing illegal workers
Mid last year, the Government passed draft legislation that will increase financial penalties for businesses that are found to be employing illegal workers. Under the draft ‘Immigration (Employment of Adults Subject to Immigration Control) (Maximum Penalty) (Amendment) Order 2023’, it sets out that the fine will increase from £15,000 to £45,000 for the first breach. […]
Extended protection from redundancy – Maternity Leave, Adoption Leave and Shared Parental Leave (Amendment) Regulations 2024
Currently, individuals on maternity leave, adoption leave, or shared parental leave should be given first refusal of any suitable alternative employment available if they have been put at risk of redundancy. New laws will extend this protection. The legislation is in draft form and subject to change, however key features are as follows: The protection […]
Flexible Working (Amendment) Regulations 2023
A statutory instrument was introduced in December which confirms that the right to request flexible working will become a day one right for employees, with effect from 6 April 2024. Currently employees the requisite length of service is 26 weeks. Consequently, any request submitted on or after this date will be governed by the new […]
Carers Leave Act 2023 and the new Regulations
New Regulations brought the Carers Leave Act 2023 into force at the beginning of December, however further Regulations are required to set out further detail of this right for employees and how employers should manage it. These are currently in draft, however it has been confirmed that they will come into force on 6 April […]
Employment Law Timetable
In this article we provide an employment law timeline, and include details of proposed developments that businesses need to be aware of in the months ahead. Confirmed New Employment Legislation – in order of commencement date Expected late 2023 – The Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023 The Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023 was […]
Case Law Update: Dwight Pile-Grey vs Ministry of Defence
In the case of Dwight Pile-Grey vs Ministry of Defence, Mr Pile-Grey has successfully claimed direct race discrimination, harassment and victimisation against the Ministry of Defence (MoD) after his 16-year career in the Army. Following a dispute with white soldiers who doubted his identity as a soldier, culminating in accusations of playing the “race card”, […]
The HR year ahead: what are the key trends to watch?
As we wrap up 2023, we’re looking into the future to consider the employment developments we are likely to see in 2024. We already know that 2024 is planned to be a big year with the introduction of many new pieces of employment legislation and we share our knowledge in these areas in this month’s […]
Have your say in our 2023/24 SME Business Survey
As we approach 2024, the recruitment and retention of staff continue to be a top priority for businesses, as companies navigate the challenges of the current climate and candidate demands. Economic pressures and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis continue to impact both businesses and their employees. Reflecting on our 2022/23 SME Business Survey earlier this year, […]
The Equality Act 2010 (Amendment) Regulations 2023
The Government has released a draft version of legislation which seeks to modify the Equality Act 2010 and is due to be in force from 1 January 2024. The Equality Act 2010 (Amendment) Regulations 2023 solidify specific discrimination protections derived from EU law which would have otherwise ceased to apply at the end of the […]
Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023
Last month, the Government announced how it will legislate reforms to both the Working Time Regulations (WTR) and the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006. This follows recent public consultations in which the government sought views on matters such as the management of annual leave entitlement and pay, irregular hour and part year […]
Case Law Update: Mr J. Richardson v West Midlands Trains
In the case of Mr J. Richardson v West Midlands Trains, Richardson was summarily dismissed following workplace pranks involving the shed skins of a tarantula and a snake. The case was dealt with as a bullying and harassment matter, however as the incident did not meet the threshold of seriousness required for something to be […]
The Autumn Statement – November 2023
Today, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has set out his autumn statement, which includes several significant announcements relating to employment and business: There will be an increase to the statutory minimum wage rates from April 2024: a. The national living wage (NLW – the rate for workers aged 21 and above) is to increase by […]
Time frame for disclosing ‘spent’ convictions to employers has become shorter
In line with the recent implementation of Section 193 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, significant changes have come into effect regarding the disclosure periods for individuals with custodial convictions. The amendment, which came into effect on 28 October 2023, aims to shorten the duration during which workers are obligated to inform […]
Why robust employment contracts are key to business success
Are you aware of the extent to which your employment contracts can affect your organisation? In recent years we have seen a significant shift in the way in which people are employed and a more modern way of operating has materialised. Initially, this change was as a response to a worldwide emergency, supported by advancements […]