On December 31st 2020 the transition period shall end and the UK will leave the EU, potentially without a deal. Below are some early indicators of how this affect UK employment law, although of course much remains to seen. Equality Laws The Equality Act 2010 implements the UK’s laws against discrimination and is primary legislation.[…]
The viability of many businesses is on a knife edge and flexibility in scaling the workforce up or down at short notice has become increasingly important. For many employers, keeping their workforce as flexible as possible will be essential for their future. However, the law around zero hours contracts, self-employment, personal service companies and[…]
As the Chancellor’s coronavirus job retention scheme enters its final phase and the prospect of a return to normal business seems distant for many companies, employers are having to contemplate redundancies if they are to keep their business afloat. ‘Getting the redundancy procedure right is crucial, as mistakes can open the door for an[…]
The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Self-Isolation) (England) Regulations 2020 are now in effect (Monday 28 September 2020). They set out mandatory periods for self-isolation, and a duty to notify the Secretary of State of the names of people in the same household as anyone who has tested positive for Covid-19. The important element for employers[…]
The Government has published a factsheet explaining how the new Job Support Scheme works. The Job Support Scheme was announced yesterday by Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor of the Exchequer as part of a suite of measures to support the labour market following the forthcoming closure of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme on 31 October this[…]
The following joint statement has been issued by Susan Clews (Chief Executive, Acas), Dame Carolyn Fairbairn (Director-General, CBI) and Frances O’Grady (General-Secretary, TUC), to help businesses and workers deal with the impact of possible redundancies. Covid-19 is having a devastating impact on many businesses and workers. Challenges to working practices, disrupted supply chains[…]
In the wake of the Black Lives Matter demonstrations, there is increased momentum in addressing racial inequalities at work. But this is against a backdrop of significant and long-standing barriers for workers of black and minority ethnic heritage. For example, recent research by Business in the Community shows that only one and a half per[…]
Although lockdown is generally easing across the country, government guidance advises people to continue to work from home if possible. Meanwhile the media is reporting that some employers are deciding to keep staff working from home. Home-working has advantages; it eases the immediate difficulties of making workplaces Covid-secure and, longer term, it can significantly reduce[…]
What is a Settlement Agreement? A Settlement Agreement is a legally binding agreement between an employee and an employer setting out the terms that have been agreed to resolve an employment dispute or potential dispute. Usually the employee’s employment will be terminated under the agreement, although sometimes an employee will continue to be employed. Under[…]
The National Insurance Fund will cover these amounts (provided the relevant conditions are all met) up to the limits set in the Employment Rights Act 1996 and the Pensions Schemes Act 1993. Any claims in excess of the limits must be claimed from the insolvent employer. Employees can make claims both to the[…]