Acas have released useful and updated guidance on managing sickness absence which covers such matters as: fit notes and evidence of sickness; time off for dependants/parents/carers; holiday entitlement and sick pay; keeping in touch during absence; unauthorised absence; returning to work; creating sickness absence policies; absence tigger points; recording and reducing sickness absence. You can read the[…]
Unhappy at work? Overloaded with tasks and drowning under the pressure? Found out that a junior colleague or person of a different sex is being paid more than you? Line manager singling you out for personal attacks or bullying you? Even worse, you have tried raising your concerns informally, but no one seems to be[…]
Vaping at Work: How can employers best protect the health of the workforce & support smokers wanting to stop?
Uncategorised Jun 29, 2023
E-cigarettes can appear to offer a painless way of giving up smoking and getting round the smoking ban, allowing smokers to get their nicotine “hit.”. Vapes are not covered by smoke- free legislation, as they do not contain a burning substance. However, the use of “vapes” in public places, including work environments, is increasingly seen[…]
It is increasingly clear that protections under existing employment law may be insufficient to deal with the challenges posed by the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) and Automated Data Management (ADM) in HR processes. For instance, many companies now use AI providers such as HireVue to carry out recruitment tasks previously done by humans,[…]
On 2 May 2023 the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023 received Royal Assent. This amends the Employment Rights Act 1996. It is not expected to come into force until 2024. It is estimated that this will mean that over 2 million workers will have their tips protected and over £200 million will go back[…]
The Government has announced a number of employment law measures as part of its reforms designed to “cut red tape and grow the economy”. The measures include: removing reporting requirements from the Working Time Regulations 1998, introducing a new exception from the application of the TUPE Regulations to smaller businesses, and limiting non-compete clauses to three months.[…]
This weekend will see the Coronation of King Charles III, the first such event for more than 70 years. For some employers the bank holiday declared on Monday 8th May raises the tricky question of whether the day is already covered by their contracts of employment or whether they need to plan for their employees[…]
Imagine this scenario. A married couple work in a care home for several years, covering each other’s shifts if necessary, with no issues or problems. They are hardworking, reliable and have spotless records. Then a new owner takes over and dismisses them both, because, he says, he “doesn’t like to employ married couples.” Fortunately, under[…]
The Presidents of the Employment Tribunals in England and Wales have updated the Guidance on employment tribunal awards for injury to feelings which are awarded in discrimination, whistleblowing and trade union membership or activities detriment claims and many other detriment claims (which are listed in Part V of the Employment Rights Act 1996. The updated Vento bands[…]
This year the increases are significant, no doubt due to the current high rate of inflation. The largest increase we believe has been made to the limit on a week’s pay. This is relevant to calculations for employees relating to redundancy payments and the basic award in unfair dismissal cases. The current rate is £571 and[…]