MP accuses government of hiding tribunal fees report
The government faces accusations of hiding a report that reveals employment tribunal fees affect women and ethnic minorities the most. Figures show a 70% drop in cases, including a 50% fall in race discrimination cases since the introduction of fees in 2013. Dawn Butler, shadow minister for diverse communities, claims people can no longer access […]
Britain still urgently needs migrant workers
The CBI (Confederation of British Industry) claims that Britain urgently needs migrant workers. CBI’s Director-General, Carolyn Fairbairn, has told MPs that Britain’s borders must remain open to foreign labour. The UK’s high demand for low skilled labour cannot be met without it, she argues. Much of the debate since June’s EU referendum result have centred […]
Expedia named top place to work in 2017
Expedia is one of the best places to work for the second year, according to employees. The Glassdoor Employees’ Choice Awards also saw ARM, HomeServe UK, and Mott MacDonald and Hays named in the top five. Voted by employees The Employees’ Choice Awards is in its ninth year and recognises the best places to work […]
Employee Assistance Programmes underused
Employers need to do more to encourage take-up of Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs), according to a new report. EAPs can be hugely beneficial for people with mental health problems or on prolonged sickness absence. But despite the benefits, EAPs have a very low take-up. The Lancaster University Work Foundation’s report, suggests that many people see […]
Finance companies aim for third of senior roles filled by women
Finance companies are hoping to have a third of senior management posts filled by women in the next five years. Firms signing up to the Treasury’s Women in Finance Charter, have set targets of 35% of management roles to be held by women. The current figure is 27%. The charter aims to encourage companies to […]
Over 500 Kwik Fit staff to lose jobs
There were emotional scenes at a Kwik Fit call centre as 521 staff heard they will lose their jobs. Director Ant Middle told the stunned employees that the site will close by the end of March 2017. The jobs will go from the Kwik Fit Insurance Services call centre in Uddingston, South Lanarkshire. Ageas, the […]
CitySprint face legal challenge from its couriers
The so-called “gig economy” is again under the spotlight as delivery firm CitySprint becomes the latest company to face a legal challenge over the employment status of its couriers. Maggie Dewhurst, a CitySprint cycle courier is challenging CitySprint’s claims that she is an ‘independent contractor’. At the employment tribunal, she told how a controller tells […]
Firms could be forced to reveal CEO and worker pay gap
The government has announced proposals to make large UK companies reveal the pay gap between their top management and average workers. In a move intended to stem the rise in anti-big business and anti-globalisation, the government are considering a number of measures as part of a consultation to curb the excesses of corporate pay. These […]
Salary sacrifice schemes scrapped
The 2016 Autumn Statement confirmed fears that it is the end of the road for many salary sacrifice schemes. The writing was already on the wall in the Spring Budget, with hints that the government could limit the range of tax savings benefits available through salary sacrifice schemes. And now the new Chancellor, Philip Hammond […]
Squeeze on living standards expected to worsen
Wage growth for this decade could be at its lowest since the 1900s. Many Britons could face a significant drop in living standards as they struggle to keep up with rising living costs. In his recent Autumn Statement, the Chancellor Philip Hammond’s Autumn statement revealed the UK faces a £122 billion black hole. The Resolution […]
What the Autumn Statement means for employers
With changes to national insurance thresholds to a rise in the national living wage, Philip Hammond’s Autumn Statement contained several important changes that employers need to prepare for. Rise in national living wage From April 2017, the national living wage for over-25s will rise 4.2%. This will mean an increase from £7.20 to £7.50 per […]
One in seven care workers on zero- hours contracts
The latest Office for National Statistics figures show a steep rise in the number of care workers on zero-hours contracts. In 2015, the number stood at roughly one in ten. It is now one in seven. Unemployment steady but employment insecure These figures follow the news that in the three months up to August, UK […]
£1.9bn fines under GDPR for bank breach
If the recent security breach of Tesco Bank accounts had happened under General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), Tesco would be facing fines of over £1.9bn. Supermarket chain Tesco, owners of Tesco Bank, admitted to a serious security breach following complaints of discrepancies in customers’ accounts. Criminals hacked 40,000 accounts and stole money from 20,000. Tesco […]
Government invests £1.9 billion to fight cyber-crime
The Government is investing £1.9 billion to protect the UK from cyber-crime as part of its new National Cyber Security Strategy. The strategy outlines measures to protect the UK from cyber threats and to make it one of the safest places to do business. It will support specialist police units to tackle organised online crime […]
Amazon drivers admit breaking speed limit to stay on schedule
Amazon drivers have revealed that they have to break speed limits in order to keep to their strict delivery schedule. The online retailer has also been accused of allowing drivers to work illegal hours and paying them less than minimum wage. As part of a BBC investigation, an undercover reporter worked for AHC Services who […]
Huge drop in unfair dismissal cases after tribunal fees introduced
The number of people taking their employers to tribunals has fallen by 73% since tribunal fees of £1,200 were brought in. A study by the TUC has found that discrimination cases on the grounds of gender have dropped by 71%, race by 58% and disability by 54%, since the new charges were introduced. The TUC […]
Deloitte announces a 16-week family leave package for staff
Deloitte has announced a family leave program, which comes into effect immediately, and aims to support staff who have care responsibilities – whether that is looking after a new baby, or caring for an elderly parent during the later stages of their life. Both male and female members of staff will be entitled to anything […]
Volunteering is a great way to boost your career prospects
In the past decade, it has become harder than ever to get that perfect job in the sector that you want. Thanks to a lack of jobs available, alongside more qualified individuals than ever before, it is clear why there may be a struggle to gain jobs. But there are things you can do to […]
Back to school
How to manage staff with child care responsibilities, when their children go back to school. When you are running a company, it is important that you are able to get the most out of not only your staff, but your team as a whole. This means that the company will thrive and hit as many […]
Working when ill – Hillary Clinton
There are many issues surrounding taking sick days away from work. Recently, Hillary Clinton cancelled a trip to California which has highlighted that often people work when they are sick. Hillary Clinton, who is 68-years old had to leave a 9/11 memorial service early after reportedly overheating, and recent reports have suggested that she may […]
