Fire and rehire rules (employers’ guide)
‘Fire and rehire’ refers to when an employer dismisses an employee and rehires them on new terms. The new terms are generally less favourable for the individual than under their previous contract of employment. Firing & rehiring is a tactic typically used by employers who wish to vary the terms of their employees’ contracts but […]
Preparing for the end of furlough
The CJRS, or furlough scheme, is now scheduled to run until 30th September 2021. The scheme was previously due to end in October 2020 and then April 2021, but has been extended in light of the continued challenges of the pandemic and the mandatory closure of businesses in many sectors of the economy, including leisure, […]
Can an employee refuse training?
Encouraging employees to progress with their personal development and within your business can help to unlock productivity and boost performance, especially if an individual is willing to undertake additional training relevant to their job role. Training can also form a crucial part of a particular role, although not all employees will be willing to undertake […]
Disciplinary procedure guide for managers
Embarking on a formal disciplinary procedure may become necessary to ensure that any unacceptable or improper behaviour at work, or poor performance matters, that cannot be resolved informally, are appropriately addressed in a fair and lawful manner. The following guide for employers, line managers and HR personnel examines the rules relating to disciplinary procedures, providing […]
Can you ask staff to work weekends?
It is not uncommon for employers to ask employees to work weekends, including Sundays, especially in the retail and hospitality industries. However, there are certain rules and restrictions that must be taken into account, including those on Sunday working and the ‘working time’ rules. The following guide for employers looks at working weekend laws in […]
Paternity leave & pay rules
Employers have to meet a number of legal responsibilities when an employee is on paternity leave. We look at what employers should do to support their employees while ensuring compliance with the rules on paternity in the workplace. Employee paternity rights Where an employee is expecting a baby and will have paternal responsibility for the […]
Statutory guaranteed pay rules
Although temporary layoffs are only likely to be used by employers as a last resort right if their business is facing reduced demand, they remain a viable alternative to redundancy. However, there can be risks associated with laying off staff. There is also typically a legal obligation to pay employees a minimum amount of money […]
Can employers refuse parental leave?
As an employer you are legally bound to consider any request for parental leave made by an eligible employee, and undoubtedly will want to encourage a healthy work/life balance, although equally you will need to ensure that any such request does not significantly interfere with the running of your business. The following guide for employers […]
When does TUPE not apply?
The law on transfers of undertakings is intended to support a relatively simple underlying purpose: to protect and preserve an employee’s rights if the business that employs them changes hands. The legislation itself, however, is notoriously complex and technical. It is therefore important, especially for the incoming employer, to understand when and why the statutory […]
Is same job, different pay allowed?
By law, men and women in the UK must generally receive equal pay for doing equal work. This means that a person must not get paid less compared to someone of the opposite sex doing the same or similar work, or work of equal value, for the same employer. However, there are exceptions to this […]