If you monitor your employees or are considering doing so, this article is a must read for you. At the end of 2023, the ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office – www.ico.org.uk), issued new guidance on ‘Employment practices and data protection: monitoring workers’. While monitoring employees in some circumstances is required both to protect both employers, employees…
Read more
We are often asked what Collective Consultation means in a Redundancy situation, and how does the company know if it applies to them. It is vital for any employer to be sure what their obligations are in any redundancy situation. This article relates specifically to those employers who are proposing to dismiss 20 or more…
Read more
The updated Code of Practice on Flexible Working is currently awaiting parliamentary approval. If passed, the new law will come into effect from 6 April 2024. Employers should note there are some key changes to the formal process. The Code relates to the statutory right to request flexible working as set out in the Employment…
Read more
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…
Read more
When a couple are adopting, in respect of leave and pay entitlements, only one person must be assigned as the ‘primary’ adopter. Adoption Leave and pay is available only to employees who adopt through an adoption agency. Please note that employees who adopt a child on a private basis are not eligible for adoption leave…
Read more
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,…
Read more
Maternity leave can be complex for small employers this article looks to summarise the key points. Changing the return date If an employee wants to change their return date from maternity leave, they must give the employer at least eight weeks’ notice before the new end date. If the employer is not given enough notice,…
Read more
Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, an employer has a duty to carry out a risk assessment of the work that employees are required to do. Regulation 16 specifically requires employers who employ women of child-bearing age to carry out an assessment if the work could involve a risk to…
Read more
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…
Read more
Most people are now retiring later in life, particularly given the current cost of living crisis. However, many employers will welcome the prospect of retaining these experienced employees. Although, the uncertainty around how long an employee is likely to stay can bring challenges to a business. Thinking ahead As an employer it is important to…
Read more
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….
Read more
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…
Read more
