Fewer than 10 weeks to go until the expected implementation of the IR35 legislation in the private sector. What’s changing, what should businesses be doing now, and what are the key options?
It is currently expected there will be no further delay to the planned implementation of the IR35 legislation in April 2021, which will bring significant changes for in-scope businesses which engage contractors who operate through an intermediary. The implementation has already been delayed for 12 months because of Covid-19 and is likely to be welcomed by the Government and HM […]
Read MoreWorking with COVID restrictions
As we start 2021, we find ourselves in a third national lockdown due to the increasing rates of infection of COVID-19. Many businesses will be in the position of the majority of their staff working from home, with only essential staff attending the workplace. In this article we recap on a few key employment and data protection issues that may […]
Read MoreNo Jab, No Job: Is it Lawful for Employers To Require Employees To Have A COVID Vaccination?
Pimlico Plumbers CEO, Charlie Mullins, has announced plans to introduce contractual requirements on all staff to have a COVID vaccine if they are to work for the London plumbing company. If and when the vaccine becomes commercially available or available to a wider age group than currently under the NHS for free, many employers may consider following suit, but should […]
Read MoreVoluntary New Code Issued by Campaigners to Tackle “Hair Discrimination”. What Are the Issues and How Can Employers Avoid Discrimination Claims?
It was recently reported that Unilever UK, a major employer, has signed up to the Halo Code, published by the Halo Collective, a newly formed alliance working to create a future without “hair discrimination” (bias against those with hairstyles associated with their racial, ethnic and cultural identities). Although typically not widely reported in mainstream media and often missing from employer-led […]
Read MoreWelcome Clarification from the Government that Employees with Childcare Issues can be Furloughed
At the beginning of last week many parents found themselves back in the position that they were in during the first national lockdown in March 2020. The government’s decision to close all schools during this third national lockdown came into effect on 5 January 2021, with many children attending primary school for just one day. Whilst Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, […]
Read More‘Tis the season to…beware of the Virtual Christmas Party!
HR teams and Senior Managers may have thought they would have a year off from having to deal with any unwelcome office party antics this year. With most office workers working from home for the best part of this year, many companies will be turning to online festivities rather than the in-person celebrations of Christmases past. Employers and employees should […]
Read More“Long-COVID” – A New Form of Disability under the Equality Act 2010? Steps for Employers to Take to Mitigate the Risks of Disability Discrimination Claims
A recent study conducted by researchers at King’s College London estimates that around 1 in 7 people with COVID-19 will be ill for at least 4 weeks, 1 in 20 for 8 weeks and 1 in 45 for 12 weeks or more after having initially become unwell. Although there is currently no universally recognised medical definition for the range of […]
Read MoreRacism, Prejudice and Working from Home: How Employers can adapt to a ‘New Normal’
As the world continues to adapt to a new way of life in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, employers have been kept busy by the need to ensure that, despite the upheaval to everyday workplace norms, their actions towards employees are lawful and proportionate. The situation is a fluid one; and the approach of employers to maintaining a happy […]
Read MoreChanges introduced to the ACAS early conciliation process from 1 December 2020
Prior to any claim being brought in the Employment Tribunal, a prospective claimant is required to notify ACAS of the potential claim. Following this notification and with the claimant’s agreement, ACAS will contact the potential respondent to determine whether they wish to conciliate the matter. Prior to 1 December 2020, if the respondent agreed to conciliate, the parties had one-month […]
Read MoreThe Potential Impact of Brexit on Employment Law
Following the unprecedented circumstances that the world has faced this year, it is easy to forget that on 31 December 2020, the “Transition Period” of Britain’s EU exit will end, and from 1 January 2021 the UK is set to leave the single market and customs union, either with or without a future trade deal. In anticipation of this date, […]
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