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In September 2020, the Government introduced amendments to the snappily titled Employment Tribunals (Early Conciliation: Exemptions and Rules of Procedure) Regulations 2014. These made changes to Employment Tribunal procedure and compulsory Acas Early...
On Saturday 31 October, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that there will be a 4 week lockdown, including the closure of pubs, restaurants, gyms and non-essential shops, from Thursday 5 November in a bid to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. To...
The coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdowns may have required a change of pace in our lives, but this Road Safety Week, road safety charity Brake is reminding us all about the dangers of speeding on our roads. Dan Thompson, Partner in our ...
Every employer should have a process when managing dismissals with the right to appeal an integral part of that process. However, can that appeal process hamper any potential constructive unfair dismissal claim from an employee? Our Employment...
The coronavirus pandemic has brought with it many changes in Employment Law and it has also seen an increase in whistleblowing from employees, whether that is in relation to furlough leave or employers breaking health and safety rules in making workplaces...
All employers should be aware of the nine protected characteristics in Employment Law, which includes age and disability. Our Employment Law team here review the case of Walsh v Rose Medical Limited, which demonstrates how an employer should not...
When planning to make redundancies in your organisation it is important that you adopt a fair procedure, which may or may not include offering the employee the right of appeal. Strictly speaking, there is no legal obligation to offer employees a...
The coronavirus pandemic has had a severe impact on all of our lives, with focus in business and in our healthcare system diverted so we can provide the necessary resources to tackle this crisis. Several organisations and industries however are calling...
Following the announcement from Boris Johnson on Saturday 31 st October, Robert Jenrick, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, has confirmed that the housing market will continue to operate despite entering a second national...
In a year of change and uncertainty it is with pleasure that we announce the promotion of two Associate Solicitors to the role of Partner as of 1 st November 2020; Sue Nicholson and Anne Mills . Andy Munden , Managing Partner and Chartered Legal...
It's important for all employers to be aware of the 9 protected characteristics under teh Equality Act 2010; one of which being religion or belief. Our Employment Law team today review the unprecedented case of Mr S Jackson v Lidl Great...
Since publication of this article, on 31st October it was announced that a further national lockdown would commence starting on 5th November and ending on 2nd December. It was subsequently announced that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS)...
With the furlough scheme coming to an end in a matter of days, unfortunately more businesses are facing the difficult decision of making redundancies , even with the new Job Support Scheme on offer. It is vital that if you are considering...
As businesses plan their future through the current global health crisis, building a strong workforce will be more important than ever. When building a team, employers should not overlook the benefits of diversity in their workforce as there is some evidence...
A recent case has added further to the ever-evolving situation regarding gender-fluid and non-binary employees and the protections afforded them under the Equality Act. This is an area with fast moving precedents and it’s one to watch. Our Employment...
In an attempt to boost the creation of jobs in the UK, the Chancellor announced the introduction of the Kickstart Scheme which is due to commence in November 2020. This scheme is designed to create new jobs for people aged between 16 and 24 who are currently...
A ground breaking case, which has taken four years to conclude, has highlighted the need for employers to ensure that their employees are being paid ther National Minimum Wage, and that their time working is adequately reflected to ensure this. Our ...
On 31 October, it was announced that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme would be extended until the end of March 2021. You can find out more about the extension in our latest Updated Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Guidance article. ...
Employment status continues to be an important topic for employers, as demonstrated by the latest ruling for foster carers in Glasgow. Our Employment Law team here reviews the case, the ruling and what this means for employers. Two foster carers,...
The relationship between employers and employees is highly important and it is understandable that you will be concerned about the repercussions if an employee is accused of a crime. When faced with this, employers must be careful of the accused...
Mental health is an incredibly important subject amongst our employees and it is vital that employers manage this with sensitivity, understanding and ensuring managers are able to spot the signs. Our Employment Law team here review the case of...
If your business has to make the difficult decision to make redundancies , there is a set process you are required to follow. This will be a challenging time for both you and your employees as you face an uncertain future, but following this procedure...
There has been much in the news recently about the support available from the Government for businesses in an attempt to save the high street and the economy, but little has been said about the effect on commercial landlords. Jenny Colvin in our ...
On 23 March 2020, the Government announced a lockdown for the United Kingdom in order to fight the outbreak of coronavirus. This meant that hundreds of thousands of businesses, large and small, were forced to close their doors to both their staff and the...
Determining employment status is a tricky area of employment law and even more so with regards to agency workers. Our Employment Law team reviews the case of Angard Staffing Solutions and Royal Mail v Mr D Kocur and others, which illustrates...
In amongst all the drama of 2020, it may have been easy to overlook the biggest overhaul of the planning system since the 1940s. Huge changes came into effect on 1 September 2020 and Jenny Colvin , Partner in our Commercial Property team, answers some of...
Garden leave (sometimes called gardening leave) is one strategy companies may use to protect their business when an employee leaves, and are regularly used alongside restrictive covenants . With many businesses facing changes in the current climate,...
When you buy residential leasehold property, such as a flat, you buy a term of years which has a finite, known end date. Whilst this term is unlikely to expire in your lifetime, mortgage lenders have recently become more and more unwilling to loan money...
With several updates and changes in recent months, it’s understandable that residential landlords may be feeling slightly confused about where they stand regarding their possession proceedings or the notice periods. The good news is that the 3 months...
Suspending an employee may be an open and shut case as far as you're concerned, but you should always ensure you follow a correct procedure and don't make any hasty decisions. Our Employment Law team here reviews the case of Strothard v...
While many businesses are still focused on the current global health crisis, some employers may be looking ahead to 2021 when the transition period for Brexit is scheduled to end. When this happens, free movement between the UK and the EU will also end so...
Every employer knows that should they wish to dismiss an employee, they must follow a fair procedure otherwise they could be faced with an unfair dismissal claim in tribunal; but are there exceptions to the rule? Our Employment Law team reviews the...
A loved one losing the capacity to manage their property and affairs is a distressing time when you will not only have to adapt to a new way of living, but also perhaps step in to assist in the running of their lives. If they don’t have a ...
With more people unfortunately facing redundancies this year, there is a concern from certain groups that pregnant women and mothers on maternity leave could face discrimination when it comes to the redundancy process. In light of this, the Pregnancy...
Is your workforce a diverse one? Are you confident that your managers and team members are not discriminatory? These are two key factors to consider when running a business; our Employment Law team here reviews a case in which diversity was at the...
As the end of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme approaches, many employers will be considering new measures to protect the future of their business. These could include reducing employee benefits, having employees work part-time, or making homeworking...
Employment status has been a hot topic in recent years, and it has continued this year with the recent case of J Varnish v British Cycling Federation t/a British Cycling . Our Employment Law team reviews the case and explains the importance of...
Further to The Civil Procedure (Amendment No.2) (Coronavirus) Rules 2020, that were introduced in June 2020, possession proceedings were stayed again up to 23 August 2020. With this deadline soon approaching and the coronavirus restrictions continuing...
The last few months have made employers consider many situations regarding their policies and how they manage and support their employees during difficult times, including during bereavement. Bereavement leave is one way employers can support an...
The coming months are likely to bring many changes to businesses including possible redundancies or restructuring to keep roles where possible. It is important that employers follow the right procedure when doing so making the wrong decisions or taking...
Redundancies are always a stressful time for all parties involved; employees are worried about their future and employers will want to look after those employees as best they can, as well as ensure they follow a fair and proper procedure to avoid tribunal...
A new online digital fingerprinting service has been launched to help protect designs and innovations from copycat misuse. Torion Bowles , Partner and Solicitor in our Litigation and Dispute Resolution department, explains more as to why this...
Knowing how to manage a pregnant employee and being aware of their Employment Law rights from the outset is vital in order to avoid a potential Tribunal claim against you for discrimination. Our Employment Law team today review the case of Jallow v...
In these difficult economic times many employees may find themselves facing redundancy. If you are offered a settlement agreement due to redundancy, it is important you understand your rights and the rights you could be waiving should you sign the...
Landlords are breathing a sigh of relief over the news that a Court has allowed an eviction notice despite a copy of the gas safety certificate not being provided before the tenancy started. Mollie Leak , Litigation and Dispute Resolution ...
As an employer, if you have any concerns about the performance of an employee, it is vital that a thorough and fair investigation is carried out, and that there are no incidents of victimisation during the course of your actions. Our Employment Law ...
In our current climate, businesses are having to make the difficult decisions to make their employees redundant in light of having to reduce their size, restructure, close or as the furlough scheme comes to an end. As an employee, it is important that...
Adjusting to the challenges caused by coronavirus has been difficult for all of us. However, for those dealing with the death of a loved one, the onerous obligations placed on Executors may seem overwhelming. In recent years there has been an...
We spend the majority of our lives at work and so it can only be natural that we form close relationships with our colleagues, occasionally even romantic ones. As an employer, you may wish to implement a policy regarding relationships at work; our ...
The last few months have certainly seen many changes in the world of Employment Law, particularly with the introduction of furlough leave. Many questions arose following its implementation regarding timeframes, holiday leave, maternity and paternity...
