Direct discrimination at work: HR guide
The COVID-19 ‘new normal’ working environment is one in which employers must take every possible step to safeguard the wellbeing of their staff, or risk being in breach of their statutory duty to protect the health, safety and welfare of their workforce. In taking action to meet your health and safety duties, employers should also […]
Shortlisting process: guide for HR
Shortlisting is a crucial stage within the recruitment process in which employers are required to identify the candidates from their applicant pool who best meet the essential and desirable criteria for the job opening in question. Rising unemployment levels are putting greater pressure on the recruitment, selection and shortlisting process. Employers are now handling increasing […]
P2B Regulation Takes Effect in EU & UK
Online platforms and search engines are now operating under new rules designed to promote fairness and transparency for their business users. The Platform to Business Regulation (EU) 2019/1150 (P2B Regulation) took effect in the UK and EU member states on 12 July 2020. The new rules apply to online intermediation services and search engines based […]
Employment case law update July 2020
A number of key employment law cases of significance for employers have recently been decided. Unfair dismissal Evans v London Borough of Brent The Employment Appeal Tribunal held that, where no compensation will be awarded but where there is a reasonable prospect of success, an unfair dismissal claim should not be struck out. The EAT […]
UK Unveils New Hong Kong BNO Visa
The UK is opening a new immigration route that will allow British National (Overseas) citizens from Hong Kong to come to the UK to live, work or study and will offer a path to British citizenship. The Hong Kong BN(O) visa will be available from January 2021 to Hong Kong’s British National (Overseas) passport holders […]
Redundancy when pregnant: fair dismissal?
According to studies conducted by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, it is estimated that over 50,000 women could be losing their jobs each year because of pregnancy or maternity – and this was prior to the pandemic. With reports that the number of women seeking […]
Positive action in the workplace
Employers are under a legal duty not to discriminate against prospective or existing employees, either negatively or positively. However, that is not to say employers cannot take ‘positive action’ to assist certain groups of people that are potentially at a disadvantage or under-represented within their workforce. In this article we examine what amounts to taking […]
Apply for EU Settled Status
Under the EU settled status scheme, EEA citizens currently in the UK are required to register with the Home Office to confirm their continued right to live, work and remain in the UK after 30 June 2021. UK settled status will allow you to live and work in the UK indefinitely. You will also be […]
Landlord ‘No DSS’ Bans Ruled Unlawful & Discriminatory
A court in England has ruled that blanket bans on letting properties to people claiming housing benefits are unlawful, discriminatory and contrary to equality laws. The decision relates to the case of a single mother of two who became homeless after a letting agent refused to rent a property to her. She had been looking […]
Occupational sick pay: HR guide
Managing occupational sick pay can often be complicated. The following guide for employers looks at the rules on occupational sick pay – including entitlement, rates and duration – and how this differs to statutory sick pay. We also look at what happens when sick pay comes to an end, and how both long-term and short-term […]
UK Import Guide
If you are establishing UK-based operations and plan to start importing goods into the UK, you will need to familiarise yourself with the import rules. Failure to follow the rules, however unintentional, can lead to delays, additional expense and legal issues. In this guide, we summarise what businesses need to know about bringing goods into […]
Grievance procedure steps
A grievance is a work-related complaint brought by an employee. Grievances should be used to bring issues to the employer’s attention for the matter to be investigated and resolved fairly. Examples of reasons for making a work-related grievance can include health and safety concerns, harassment from another member of staff, the behaviour of a line […]
Company in administration: employee rights
If your company goes into administration you will need to know about the rights of your employees and your liability for any outstanding monies owed to them on termination or transfer of their employment. It is also important that your employees know exactly where they stand with regards to their pay, pension and workplace rights, […]
MPs Back Immigration Bill & End of EU Free Movement
MPs have voted in favour of new legislation that will bring EU free movement to an end. Passing the Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill is a critical phase in the government’s plan to introduce a new points-based immigration system for Britain from 2021. The Bill was approved at third reading by 342 […]