Positive action in the workplace
Employers are under a legal duty not to discriminate against prospective or existing employees, either negatively or positively. However, that is not to say employers cannot take ‘positive action’ to assist certain groups of people that are potentially at a disadvantage or under-represented within their workforce. In this article we examine what amounts to taking […]
Occupational sick pay: HR guide
Managing occupational sick pay can often be complicated. The following guide for employers looks at the rules on occupational sick pay – including entitlement, rates and duration – and how this differs to statutory sick pay. We also look at what happens when sick pay comes to an end, and how both long-term and short-term […]
Grievance procedure steps
A grievance is a work-related complaint brought by an employee. Grievances should be used to bring issues to the employer’s attention for the matter to be investigated and resolved fairly. Examples of reasons for making a work-related grievance can include health and safety concerns, harassment from another member of staff, the behaviour of a line […]
Company in administration: employee rights
If your company goes into administration you will need to know about the rights of your employees and your liability for any outstanding monies owed to them on termination or transfer of their employment. It is also important that your employees know exactly where they stand with regards to their pay, pension and workplace rights, […]
Part time hours & workers’ rights: HR guide
Understanding what counts as part time hours is important in determining the rights and entitlements of your part time workers. Below we look at what is classed as part time hours and how – save except in limited circumstances – the law protects these workers from less favourable treatment than full time workers by reason […]
Employment case law update June 2020
A number of key employment law cases of significance for employers have recently been decided. Unfair dismissal in redundancy Gwynedd Council v Barratt A London Employment Tribunal has ruled in favour of an NHS trust employer in the case of Camara v East London NHS Foundation Trust. A claim for unfair dismissal was brought by […]
Right to work from home: perk or new norm?
Following the coronavirus outbreak and UK lockdown, working from home has become prevalent across the economy. This shift towards a more flexible way of working brings both risks and opportunities for employers, who must ensure they meet their duties towards remote workers. Is there a right to work from home? Under current laws, there is […]
Employee refusing to return from furlough
With the recent relaxation of the lockdown rules, an increasing number of businesses are beginning to re-open in the UK, meaning that for employees who have been furloughed under the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, their temporary leave of absence will soon be coming to an end. As employers respond to changes to the furlough […]
What are fair redundancy selection criteria?
The role of redundancy selection criteria is absolutely crucial in ensuring that any redundancy process is fair and lawful. The following guide focuses on how to choose and apply the most appropriate redundancy criteria for your company or organisation, including the risks for employers of getting this wrong. Identifying your pool for selection If you […]
Continuous employment: employer guidance
The continuous employment rules can play a crucial role in determining the employment entitlements of your workforce. It is therefore important to understand how these rules work and how they can potentially impact your decision-making when dealing with an employee’s workplace rights and terminating a contract of employment. What is continuous employment? Continuous employment refers […]