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Redundancy Consultation There are several stages to a redundancy dismissal to ensure that it is fair. If collective consultation rules apply because more than 20 or 100 employees are affected, then the consultation process must begin at least 30 days or 45 days before the first dismissal takes place. However, many SME’s are unlikely to [...]
Payroll errors frequently occur no matter how careful you or your agents are. Where this happens you need to be aware of the law in this area as you cannot simply deduct the overpayment on your next payroll run as this may be unlawful. The Law The recovery of overpayments to an employee need to [...]
Following my interview with ITV News Meridian on weight discrimination, I set out below my interview questions together with my full response to those questions. Please contact me if you would like further guidance or need help managing an obese worker. How easy is it at the moment for people to take legal action against [...]
Personal relationships at work can damage an employer's reputation In May 2023 Phillip Scofield was forced to leave ITV after he admitted that he had lied to his bosses and work colleagues about his relationship with a junior member of staff previously employed by the television broadcaster. This was a high-profile incident which led to [...]
What’s the current position on flexible working rights? On 5 December 2022, the Government announced that the right to request flexible working will be extended to all employees from day one of employment eliminating the requirement to have 26 week’s service. This is part of a package of measures under the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) [...]
Taking equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) seriously in the workplace has huge benefits for both staff and businesses. It allows staff to reach their full potential and in turn to be rewarded for their contribution and achievements. It gives businesses a better opportunity to attract and retain the best talent leading to greater innovation, creativity, [...]
Managing conflicting beliefs in the workplace All employees have protection from discrimination because of their religious or philosophical beliefs as this is one of the nine “protected characteristics” under the Equality Act 2010. Employers may find that they are faced with employees who hold conflicting and protected beliefs. This clash of rights is not a [...]
Managing Employees with Long Covid - Is it the next great unknown? You may have heard my interview last week on BBC Radio Kent about how to handle employees with Long Covid. It’s certainly a hot topic at the moment and is likely to have a significant impact on workforce management. Here are a few [...]
Flexible working requests The post-pandemic workplace is of course very different, and we are all still learning to handle the ‘new normal’. One of the key developments has been the significant increase in flexible, hybrid and homeworking. These changes are very likely to lead to a corresponding increase in indirect sex discrimination claims from women [...]
Employers Beware - Voluntary Redundancy Is Still A Dismissal The Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has recently held that a dismissal still arises when an employee volunteers for redundancy and therefore may form part of an unfair dismissal claim. Case Facts The facts of this EAT case of White v HC-One Oval Ltd. [2022] EAT 56 [...]
