A quarter of UK employees have experienced workplace conflict in the past year according to a CIPD study. The workforce is also a reflection of our wider society, experiencing polarisation of views and employees are increasingly voicing them. The CIPD report reveals that only a third of employees involved in conflict at work feel it…
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How to support an employee when they inform you that they have ADHD Employers have a legal obligation under the Equality Act 2010 to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ in the workplace for employees who have a disability or long-term health condition. Under the Act, a disability is defined as a ‘physical or mental impairment that has…
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Although we’ve had discrimination legislation for decades, progress has been far too slow. Clearly the current law has not been working effectively enough across all workplaces, and this new duty will mean improving the protection individuals receive from sexual harassment at work. From 26th October 2024, new legislation will require businesses to take ‘reasonable’ steps…
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The new rates have just been announced and take effect on 6 April 2025. Statutory maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental pay see a small increase from £184.03 to £187.18 a week. The earnings threshold for these payments – except for maternity pay – will also go up from £123 to £125 a week. The…
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Mr Taneja joined the company as an area sales manager in June 2021. He was highly regarded within the company’s sales team; however, his employment was terminated after a difficult initial meeting with a new sales director. Mr Taneja brought various claims in the employment tribunal including a claim for harassment related to race. The…
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Last week we heard the disturbing news that a McDonalds in Cambridge employed 16 employees who were victims of “modern day slavery”. As HR professionals there were some key processes not followed, this case is a timely reminder. Under the Modern Slavery Act 2015, there are specific obligations to help combat modern slavery. This legislation…
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The new government are making a number of proposed changes to rights for all employees from their first day of employment. This is a significant change and will affect all employers. In October we will understand the timetable and the detail, but we know this will mean changes for family leave, flexible working requests, dismissal…
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It looks like there will be significant changes that will affect all employers in the UK. It is expected that the new law will remove the three-day waiting period, so employers will pay SSP from the first day of sickness. There is also a view that the weekly amount of SSP will increase substantially from…
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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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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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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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Disability is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010 which makes disability discrimination unlawful in employment. Not all disabilities are obvious and employers are often confused as to their obligations. We start by understanding the definition of a disability in terms of employment. Substantial impact on day-to-day activities The easiest way to describe a…
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