Right to Switch Off

Employees have the Right to Switch Off

Labour made a manifesto pledge to ‘bring in the ‘right to switch off’ ie right of employees to be able to disconnect from work outside of their normal working hours without facing negative consequences or being expected to respond to work-related communications. The Times have reported that the government is now looking at this right…

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Sexual harassment in the work place

Sexual Harassment – a new ‘positive duty’ for employers

All employers have a new ‘positive duty’ to prevent sexual harassment, from 26th October 2024. Employers cannot ignore this, the obligations are far reaching including conduct from customers. Employers need to consider regular training for all employees as well as managers. If you have a policy, it will need to be updated, if you do…

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Right to Work check passport

Right to Work – your responsibility as a business owner

Large employers have already changed their processes. Being a small employer is no excuse, in 2023 the Government enforcement visits increased by 68%. Routes to working in the UK (July 24 CIPD) What process should you follow? What are suitable documents (July 2024) – for full details of the correct documents you need to check…

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Candidate asked ‘how old are your children’ awarded £90K

A female candidate has just been awarded £90K in compensation at a tribunal as a result of sex discrimination, after her job offer was withdrawn in November 2022. Fong Fong Lee had been through two interviews for the role of Senior Marketing Manager at the London office of R&F Properties QS.  A few days later…

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Employment law book

Employment Rights, significant change expected before Christmas!

Labour have stated that their ‘Plan to Make Work Pay’ will be delivered in full, introducing new legislation within 100 days. Further details will be seen on 17 July 24, when the King’s speech is expected to contain an Employment Rights Bill. What are the key changes to impact on small employers: There are more areas of proposed…

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Person off work sick

Statutory Sick Pay

Employers must by law, pay statutory sick pay (SSP) to employees and workers providing they meet the eligibility criteria. Eligibility Criteria To be eligible for statutory sick pay, an employee or worker must: – • Be classed as an employee.• Earn at least £123 a week, before tax.• Inform their employer that they are sick…

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Fire and rehire meeting

Revised Code of Practice – ‘Fire & rehire’

A revised Code of Practice on ‘Fire and rehire’ has been published. If the Code is approved by Parliament, then it will come into effect later this year. What are the updates to the Code? There have been no changes to the key provisions in the original Code, which was published in January 2023, however,…

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Redundancy Selection Criteria

Redundancy Selection Criteria

You have been told you need to reduce your organisation’s head count. The pool of employees who are at risk have been identified…what now? The Redundancy Selection Process As an employer it is important to have a fair selection process in place as it is key to fair dismissal. In terms of a process for…

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Equality Act

Equality Act Amendments

Draft legislation has been published by the government with regards to amending the Equality Act 2010 from 1st January 2024. The Equality Act amendments include the following: – If you would like to discuss the implications of these changes, contact us on 01483 362732….

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Right to Work

Right to Work Checks

A company must complete right to work checks on all employees and keep records. It was announced in August 2023 that if an organisation fails to complete the correct right to work checks, then they could be faced with a fine of up to £60,000 per employee. From early 2024, the penalty for a first…

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Signing a large book at a desk

Rehabilitation of Offenders

This new legislation regarding Rehabilitation of Offenders (Section 193 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022) has come into effect from 28th October 2023.  It will mean that criminal convictions become spent after a shorter period, therefore reducing the length of time that individuals are legally required to declare them to their employer….

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Dignity in the Workplace

Dignity in the Workplace

If there is no dignity in the workplace, it can create low morale amongst employees as well as reduced productivity.  Employees may resign as a result which will mean a substantial loss of skills to the business as well as additional costs such as recruitment and training. Currently, the subject of a toxic culture in…

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