Legal working temperatures
Ensuring the health and safety of your staff forms an important part of your duties as an employer, including the provision of a workplace that is neither too hot nor too cold. In this guide, we examine the rules on minimum and maximum workplace temperatures, providing employers with practical advice on the provision of a […]
Different types of pay structures
There are various different types of pay structures that can be implemented within an organisation, although the most suitable structure will depend on a number of factors including the nature and size of your business, the composition of the workforce, and the ways in which you want to incentivise and reward that workforce to meet […]
Compassionate leave for miscarriage
For employees who have suffered a miscarriage, time off work and the support they receive from their employer can be an important part of their recovery. But under current rules, employees who miscarry before the end of 24 weeks of pregnancy have no statutory to take maternity leave or claim maternity pay. Following stillbirth or […]
Can employees go on holiday while off sick?
Ordinarily, you would not expect an employee to be going on holiday while on sick leave. In many cases this would serve to undermine the extent of any reported illness or injury, providing grounds for disciplinary action or even dismissal where this is indicative of malingering. Still, there may be cases in which going on […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 you refuse or cancel a holiday request?
Employees have the right to a certain amount of paid time off work. It is a common mistaken belief that an employer cannot either refuse an employee’s holiday request, or even cancel it. But in reality, employers reserve the legal right to refuse leave requests as they see fit. Employers and managers have to take […]
IR35 changes & off payroll working rules
IR35 changes took effect on 6 April 2021, impacting how private sector organisations engage contractors for off-payroll working. The latest reforms were due to go live on 6 April 2020 but were postponed by a year in light of the coronavirus pandemic. Below we examine the nature and extent of the IR35 changes, and how […]
Withdrawing an offer of employment
Withdrawing an offer of employment is a decision not to be taken lightly. Before you take action, ensure you understand the legal risks of rescinding a job offer. In most cases, it is unlikely that an employer would want, or need, to withdraw a job offer once it has been accepted. However, even where an […]