Piece Work & Paying Per Task
Different types of working arrangements are being considered and adopted by employers as organisations respond to changes in the market. In some cases, this involves a combination of new and traditional practices that meet both the individual needs of the worker and the operational needs of the business. Piece work, in particular when performed at […]
Staggered Hours (Flexible Working Guide)
With flexible working on the rise, arrangements such as staggered hours can offer both the employer and employee advantages. We look at what is meant by staggered hours and the key legal and HR considerations for employers adopting this approach, either on a temporary or permanent basis. What are staggered hours? There are various different […]
Probation Review: Tips For Managers
The reality is, the person who performed best at the interview may not necessarily turn out to be the best fit for the job. The probation period offers employers – and employees – a defined timeframe in which to decide if the ‘fit’ is right and the employment relationship is mutually agreeable. The purpose of […]
Constructive Dismissal Advice For Employees
Employees forced to resign as a result of their employer’s conduct in the workplace may be eligible to claim constructive dismissal. Below we provide some constructive dismissal advice, from what this means and who is eligible, to how to approach a potential claim for constructive dismissal, both before and after resigning from your job. What […]
How To Prepare For An Employment Tribunal Preliminary Hearing
The importance of preparing for an employment tribunal preliminary hearing is not to be underestimated. While not designed to bring a workplace dispute to a conclusion, the preliminary hearing is intended to help parties prepare for the final hearing, and decisions can still be made that could affect your ability to defend a claim. The […]
Home Working Risk Assessment (Employer Guide)
Given the current work from home requirements due to the COVID-19 outbreak and the phased return to work post-lockdown, home working is expected to become more widely adopted. For employers, this means giving full consideration as to how home working will work on a longer term basis, and what this means in terms of assessing […]
Should I Furlough My Employees?
Businesses forced to close to reduce the spread of coronavirus and those that are still operating but seeing no or very little work are now looking to lay offs, asking workers to take unpaid leave or to furlough employees to reduce their outlay on salaries. Can you force employees to take unpaid leave? Despite the […]
SSP1 Form (Employer Guide)
Understanding how Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) works is an important part of being a responsible employer, especially during the current COVID-19 pandemic. If you want to find out more about SSP and when to use the SSP1 form, the following guide covers the rules on employee entitlement, notice, self-certifying and fit notes, as well as […]
Protected Characteristics in the Workplace
The Equality Act 2010 was introduced as the primary piece of legislation for the enforcement and prevention of discrimination. Its powers extend to the workplace, supporting anti-discrimination in all areas of employment. The Act covers the specific ways in which certain personal characteristics known as protected characteristics are safeguarded, and looking specifically at employment, sets […]
Should You Offer Voluntary Redundancy?
When an employer considers the possibility of making compulsory redundancies in their workforce, they should always investigate any available alternatives to that course of action first. One of these alternatives is voluntary redundancy which may reduce the number of compulsory redundancies that an employer needs to make. It may even be that sufficient voluntary redundancies […]
Fixed Term Contract (Employee Rights)
Your employment status will depend upon the nature of the contract under which you are working. Different contract types can include full time and part-time contracts; fixed-term contracts; agency staff; freelancers, consultants and contractors; as well as zero-hours contracts. The following guide provides the answers to some frequently asked questions for employees under fixed-term contracts. […]
Rights of Non-EU Spouse of EU Citizen in UK
As the foreign spouse of an EU citizen residing in the UK, you will need to apply for a new type of immigration status by 30 June 2021 to enable you to continue living in the UK lawfully after this deadline date. The following guide looks specifically at the residence rights of non EU spouses […]
How To Suspend An Employee From Work
Suspending an employee may be appropriate if there have been serious allegations of misconduct made against them and it would be detrimental to the investigation of these allegations to have the employee remain in the workplace. It is crucial to keep in mind that suspension itself is not a punishment. Rather, suspension is a necessary […]
Zero Hour Contract Rights
If you are one of the tens of thousands of individuals employed in the UK on a zero hour or casual basis, it is important that you understand your employment rights under zero hour contract law. Below we provide a basic guide to zero hour contract law, including: what constitutes a zero hour contract your […]
Tier 4 Visa Extension (Students’ Guide)
As a student currently in the UK under a Tier 4 visa, you may be looking to extend your stay to finish your existing course or to progress to a new and higher level of studies. Below we examine the rules relating to Tier 4 visa extensions, including the requirements, process and cost when applying […]
Reducing Hours After Maternity Leave (HR Help!)
Many working mothers face the challenge of balancing childcare with work, so it’s not surprising that requests to change their hours of work to fit around their family needs are popular, especially when returning to work after taking maternity leave. How should an employer approach such a request? Do employees have the right to reduce […]
Types of Grievance At Work (Employer Guide)
Grievances are problems, complaints or concerns that employees raise with their employer. They can relate to range of issues and if an employee raises a grievance, the employer is required to take the matter seriously and to try and resolve the issue, or risk the complaint escalating further, potentially into a tribunal claim. It is […]
Disciplinary at Work (Procedure Guide)
Disciplinary action at work is the employer’s response to proven unacceptable behaviour or performance on the part of an employee, resulting in actions such as suspension or dismissal. Taking disciplinary action is just one part of the whole disciplinary procedure, and although it may be seen as an end point, it should be dealt with […]
UK Visa Requirements (Applicant Guidance)
In this article, we look at what travellers need to know about meeting the UK visa requirements and making a successful application to the Home Office. If you are a national of a non EEA (European Economic Area) country or Switzerland and you wish to enter the UK, even if it is only to travel […]
Spouse Visa After Divorce (How to Stay in the UK)
If you are living in the UK under a spouse visa, it will be important to understand how your immigration status will be affected in the event you divorce or separate from your British citizen spouse or civil partner. A spouse visa is the permission granted to a foreign national from outside the European Economic […]