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The Answer: Following the passing of the Illegal Migration Act 2023, the Government on 7th August 2023 published a news story of their intention to triple fines upon businesses who knowingly employ illegal workers. The Minister for Immigration Robert Jenrick said: “Making it harder for illegal mi…
Read moreThe Answer: The Act received Royal Accent on 20th July 2023. The Act gives the Business Secretary powers to introduce minimum service level standards in certain public sector services. The affected services are health, fire and rescue services, education, transport and border control. The new Act…
Read moreThe Answer Back in July 2019 as part of Good Work Plan, the Government instigated a consultation process to look at reforming parental leave and pay to achieve greater equality in parenting at work. The consultation has now ended with the Government looking to implement changes on parental leave…
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The decision of the Employment Tribunal (ET) in the case of Fahmy v Arts Council England gives further guidance on the matter, although the decision is not binding on the Employment Appeal Tribunal.
Read moreThe Question: What new rights are available to employees on maternity leave, shared parental leave and adoption leave? The Answer: The regulations are not expected to come into force before April 2024 but employers should be aware of them so they can plan forward. Under the new law, pregnant…
Read moreThe Question: What can HSE Inspectors do? The Answer: They can make unannounced visits, carry out inspection of the premises, machinery, equipment, speak to staff and seize documents and disable dangerous equipment. The Risk/Threat: They can serve a Prohibition Notice to stop a particular…
Read moreThe Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023 received Royal Assent on 24 May 2023 but will not come into force until April 2025. The Question: What is the Act about, and how will employees receive help from the new legislation? The Answer: The regulations are not expected to come into force befor…
Read moreThe Question: Are the current provisions on an employee requesting flexible working arrangements to change? The Answer: The Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act 2023, that is awaiting Royal assent and likely to become law possibly by next year, will allow an employee to make two flexible w…
Read moreThe Question: Can a dismissal on gross misconduct be justified where the disciplinary chair decides to base his/her decision on a paper hearing looking at the written evidence without the attendance of the employee who is alleged to have committed an act of gross misconduct? The Answer: The Aca…
Read moreWhat are the dangers of AI using bias and discriminatory algorithms in assessing an applicant’s or employee’s suitability to work at your company or organisation?
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AI is fast evolving and will be affecting all aspects of our lives and businesses. The UK Government is now formulating principles it will flexibility to deal with AI as it evolves.
Read moreThe Answer: Alcohol Change UK estimate that 167, 000 working days are lost each year, at a cost of £1.2bn. Alcohol related absences are thought to contribute between 3-5% of all absences. This substantially affects business staffing levels, creates reduced production and imposes pressure on othe…
Read moreThe Question: Can employee expect rights of privacy in relation to private WhatsApp and email messages on work laptop that the employer could use against the employee as evidence of a breach by the employee or defence to employee’s allegations against the employer? The Answer: If there is no po…
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Employers need to be aware of investing in employee training costs and how to ensure employees remain in the company for a reasonable period of time to ensure the company benefit from its investment.
Read moreWhere employees drive at/for work, employers are under a duty to ensure that they are licensed to drive a particular type of vehicle.
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Employers should be mindful of under paying employees the National Minimum Wage or the National Living Wage. Employers risk paying fines, going to employment tribunals and being named and shamed by the HMRC.
Read moreThe Question: By a relevant agreement between the employer and employee, can accrued holiday pay at point of termination be paid less then what would be the calculation within Working Time Regulations 1998 (WTR)? The Answer: The Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) held no on the facts of the case of C…
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According to a recent survey, driver fatigue is thought to contribute 20% to collisions and up to 25% towards serious and fatal incidents. Driver tiredness can be caused by lack of sleep, leading to loss of concentration. Fatigue comes about due to performance of repetitive and monotonous activities…
Read moreThe month of June has witnessed an expected heatwave, and employers are reminded to keep in mind the health, safety and welfare of their staff.
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Are employees who are providing or arranging care for a dependent entitled to unpaid leave from work?
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