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here are many sectors like hospitality, health care and retail where staff work closely with the public and other third parties, whilst performing their duties. With such close connections, staff could be subjected to verbal abuse, threatening behaviour or assaults that could also be of a sexual na…
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Now the weather has turned colder, our attention turns to the risk of show and ice and the disruption this can bring. We don’t have to think back too far to remember at the start of the year when widespread snow practically shut down several airports and rail stations.
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Ms Gilham was a district judge and during her tenure, she raised various concerns about cost-cutting reforms, excessive workloads and alleged poor working conditions, which she alleged amounted to “protected disclosures” under the whistleblowing provisions.
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The long-held tradition of the works Christmas parties are now in full swing, a chance to forget about work and enjoy relaxing with your colleagues. Due to fear of the reputational and legal fallout from bad behaviour at parties many employers cut back the plans and introduce measures which shield…
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With long-term sickness absence, employers have a duty of care to support the employee, which extends to making reasonable adjustments to the employee’s role. This is to assist the employee’s return back to work in circumstances where the medical prognosis suggests adjustments are desirable.
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Sickness days are increasing once again according to the Office for National Statistics. In 2018 – employees took 141.1 million sick days costing companies millions of pounds in absenteeism. There were a multitude reasons for taking sick days last year ranging from coughs and colds, musculoskeleta…
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Following the recent news on McDonald’s Chief Executive, Steve Easterbrook who was fired after having a consensual relationship with one of his employees, it is important for employers to understand how to deal with relationships in the workplace. The Chief Executive was found making “poor judgement…
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Alcohol awareness week commences 11th November 2019. The theme is ‘alcohol and me’. The purpose ‘alcohol awareness’ is to discuss the impact of alcohol and health. In today’s society alcohol plays a big part; whether it is due to celebrations or a quite drink in a pub we all have a duty to look a…
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Whilst whistle-blowing must fall within public interest and thus must not relate to the employee’s individual concerns over his/her contract of employment but where the employee’s concerns suggest some overlap between personal and public interest then whistle blowing protection could still apply as…
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From 28th October to 3rd November, the Fertility Network UK are raising awareness through to a wider audience. They are supporting employees and employers on fertility education and fertility in the workplace. Infertility is becoming a real issue where ‘1 in 6 couples in the UK are affected and majo…
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Many employers use the photographs of their staff to promote their business websites and as part of their business marketing campaigns both in print and on social media. This is often done with good positive intentions to demonstrate that the company values its staff and the services they provide to…
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By law, all employees have a right to be accompanied at a disciplinary and grievance hearing either by a work colleague or trade union representative. Employers must act fairly and reasonably and allow an employee to bring a companion. This is highlighted under the Employment Rights Act 1999 under s…
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Commonly referred to as “vibration white finger”, uncontrolled exposure to vibrating equipment over time, will cause nerve damage in the fingers. Eventually, nerve endings die, blood circulation to the finger tips stops, and you end up with white fingers.
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Work related stress translating to long term absence is growing and the impact to business’ is significant. So, when it comes to dismissing an employee due to ill health can be tricky if it is to do with a potential protected characteristic in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.
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World Mental Health Day falls on 10th October 2019. It is a day where mental health awareness is recognised on a global scale. Countries will share and promote a better understanding of mental health conditions.
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Are you a producer of chemicals, or do you supply to or buy from the EU? Maybe you are just a business that uses chemicals? There may be some actions required in preparation for Britain leaving the European Union, including understanding changes to REACH (Registration, evaluation, authorisation and…
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The Working Families Organisation (the UK’s leading work/life balance organisation) want to build employers awareness on balancing their employees’ working time with their personal leisure and family time. Therefore, they have introduced a campaign called the National Work Life Week, which will begi…
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By 2020, one in two people (47%) will get cancer at some point in their lives (Macmillan Cancer Support) and it is important that employers become well equipped to deal with employees who may have the condition.
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The Equality Act 2010 protects employees from pregnancy and maternity discrimination from day 1. An employer can face unlimited fines from an employment tribunal if an employee can demonstrate that they have been treated unfairly.
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It is crucial that the use of equipment and handling of stock is managed correctly around the workplace as failure to do so could affect the business in a negative way. An example of where incidents could arise due to an incorrect process is racking.
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