At the end of February, the Information Commissioner ordered Serco Leisure to stop using facial recognition and fingerprint scanning to check attendance and authorise pay. This followed an investigation affecting 38 leisure centres and over 2000 staff. What happened? Serco was unable to show that the practice was fair, proportionate, and necessary. The Information Commissioner concluded that risks had not been fully considered and business interests had been prioritised over employees’ privacy. The Information Commissioner, John Edwards, commented on the case, saying “…Biometric technologies cannot…
Following the recent government guidance, are you intrigued by the possibilities of AI in recruitment but find yourself grappling with the ethical implications? In the realm of recruitment, the emergence of AI presents a tantalising array of possibilities, promising to revolutionise traditional hiring practices. However, alongside these promises comes strong ethical considerations that can’t be overlooked. In this article, we explore the somewhat uncharted landscape of AI and its implementation into recruitment, whilst breaking down the core insights from the DSIT’s recent ‘Responsible AI in…
We know that, as an employer, by law we must contribute to our employees’ pension. But how do we calculate them? Here's the breakdown, including examples. As an employer, you must now legally auto enrol your employees into your workplace pension scheme. Contributions must hit minimum contributions to be legally compliant and will reflect figures known as ‘pensionable earnings’ or ‘pensionable pay’. How do I calculate pensionable pay? Like with many things, there is more than one way to cook an egg. Pensionable pay can…
HMRC have said that they are being more reactive and proactive this year in NMW compliance. With a dedicated Proactive Enforcement Team, it's a reminder to all employers to make sure your wages are water-tight. They are sending ‘nudge’ letters, reminder letters, offers of ‘health checks’, and actively visiting business of all types in these regions over this year. What's new? HMRC have told various advisory businesses that they are planning to re-visit a number of previously investigated large businesses (that have had investigations /…
The Zellis Group today announces that funds advised by Apax Partners LLP, a leading global private equity advisory firm, have reached a definitive agreement to acquire it from Bain Capital, subject to regulatory approval. Bain Capital originally acquired Zellis and Moorepay in 2017, establishing a new and highly experienced leadership team to strengthen capabilities across all divisions, focussing on software innovation and customer excellence. Since then, Zellis Group has strengthened its core cloud-based HR and payroll offerings, added a benefits administration software platform through the…
In the recent Spring Budget, Jeremy Hunt unveiled measures to address the cost-of-living crisis, as well as tax cuts for working parents, offering a beacon of hope for individuals and businesses alike. With reductions in National Insurance contributions and extended support funds, the budget aims to lighten financial burdens and extend a helping hand to those in need. Investments in the NHS signal a commitment to improving healthcare services, while tax breaks and incentives aim to breathe new life into key industries. Join us, as…
At the 2005 general election New Labour promised to introduce a new Equality Act to simplify the existing body of legislation governing equality in the workplace and 'promote equality at work'. Following the Equalities Review in 2007 led by Trevor Philips (the head of the Commission for Racial Equality at the time), the Act was enacted in 2010 and replaced: Equal Pay Act 1970 Sex Discrimination Act 1975 Race Relations Act 1976 Disability Discrimination Act 1995 Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003 Employment Equality…
Manual administration can create many problems for HR, as working with spreadsheets and paper-based systems are cumbersome and laborious. The negative impact of all this labour-intensive administration is most obvious in the amount of time and effort involved in people doing these tasks. This translates into higher costs and missed opportunities, such as preventing teams from working on more impactful HR initiatives. Yet this is just the tip of the iceberg, as there are a host of unseen costs related to manual HR administration that…
The word “woke” is one that divides the room; to some it’s a step in the right direction for equality, for others it’s a “war on truth”. It’s a word that’s caused much controversy in recent years, within the media, political spaces, the court of public opinion, and in the workplace. You’ve probably heard it thrown around a fair bit, particularly by politicians, both with positive and negative connotations. But what does it mean? Is it a necessary and vital movement that will lead us…
As famous sports coach Lou Holtz once said: “nothing on earth is standing still – it’s either growing or dying”. This is true in a business context too, where the rapid rate of change means your organisation is either moving with the times, or falling behind with inevitable consequences. We live in the age of disruption, with countless examples of companies such as Netflix, Airbnb and Uber that have turned established industries on their heads. It’s why, in 2024, a culture of continuous innovation is…
