The right to request flexible working has now extended to all employees – not just those caring for a child or dependant adult. Under the provision of the Children and Families Act 2014 from 30th June 2014 an extension of the right to the existing request flexible working process was introduced. The statutory right to…
View PostOctober 29, 2014
Parents can now share their paid leave
Now fathers and partners as well as mothers can take time off with their new baby. Shared Parental Leave is being introduced to enable both parents to be able to take paid time off to look after their child within the 52 weeks following the birth. Due to come into force on 1st December 2014,…
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October 28, 2014
Hosting a Bonfire? Follow our Safety Tips
Remember, remember the 5th of November. But don’t let it be for all the wrong reasons. If you’re planning to host an event this Bonfire Night, we’ve put together these Health & Safety tips to help you ensure you, your employees and your guests have a safe evening…. Fireworks at home or at friends fire work display…
View PostOctober 24, 2014
New equal pay powers for Tribunals
Employment Tribunals now have the power to order equal pay audits for employers who have lost equal pay claims. Equal pay audits have previously been championed by the Equality and Human Rights Commission as good practice. However, they have not been mandatory until now – as we briefly mentioned last month in our article Four October…
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September 30, 2014
TUPE Reforms Update – The Never Ending Story
The Transfer of Undertakings for the Protection of Employment (TUPE), which became UK law over 30 years ago, is tinkered with nearly every year – and 2014 is no different. There are several major changes this year. The first change is that work that is to be transferred must be; “fundamentally the same” for TUPE…
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September 29, 2014
Go Green or Get Fined
New guidelines for environmental offences mean bigger fines for businesses, even if the case has already been resolved. Waste not want not – a phrase that may help your company to manage waste issues in line with Environmental Protection Act 1990 – and avoid falling foul of new sentencing guidelines for environmental offences which came in unbeknownst…
View PostDoes Holiday Pay include commission and overtime?
Holiday Pay has always been a controversial topic in Employment Law – but the most recent dispute is over whether holiday pay should include commission or overtime. Surprisingly, until 1998, there was no legal entitlement to holiday leave or pay in the UK – even though most employers still provided it. A European Directive first…
View PostDon’t give safety the cold shoulder this winter
Dark days and dark nights are almost upon us as the clocks go back. So – while we have a little daylight left – you may need to review your Health & Safety at work to prepare for the winter period. Maybe your staff won’t be able to get to work, ro maybe, closed schools will…
View PostFour October Employment Legislation Changes
So far this year, there are many Employment Law changes to get to grips with – such as the introduction of Early Conciliation by Acas and the extension of rights to flexible working. As an employer, it’s vital you don’t overlook the changes that are taking place. Here are four changes that you need to…
View PostSeptember 24, 2014
Case against Tribunal Fees grows
The case against the introduction of Employment Tribunal Fees is gaining momentum – with UNISON bringing brand new evidence to the table. The Trade Union’s recent appeal case – heard on 18 September – has been put on hold and a new one with much stronger evidence will be presented at the High Court. UNISON reports that in the…
View PostSeptember 5, 2014
Paying respect with National Payroll Week
This week was National Payroll Week – an ideal opportunity to thank your company’s payroll department for their hard work. National Payroll Week ran from 1st to 5th September. Hosted by the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP), National Payroll Week is dedicated to raising awareness of the important part that payroll plays in the…
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August 28, 2014
Obesity considered a disability in EU Law
Morbid obesity could be considered a disability under EU law, according to the European Court of Justice. The Advocate General (AG), of the ECJ, has stated that, while EU law does not generally prohibit discrimination on the ground of obesity, morbid obesity may come within the meaning of ‘disability’ under EU law. The AG’s opinion…
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