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Dismissal of ‘Covid Procedures Whistle-blower’ Automatically Unfair
An employment tribunal found that the dismissal of an employee for persistently raising concerns criticising her co-work...
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Mental Health Workplace Management
Anytime a Health and Safety Enforcement Officer (HSE) or the local Environmental Health Officer (EHO) from a local counc...
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Employer Falls Foul of the Law When Managing 73-Year-Old Employee
An employer who enquired on several occasions whether a 73-year-old employee with dementia wanted to retire was found to...
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Covid -19: Spotlight on Sick Pay and the ‘Unvaccinated’
A few employers have been hitting the headlines in relation to the approach they are taking when it comes to Covid-19 an...
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Employment Law Top Tips: Five Things to Think about in January
As we start the new year many people will be making headway with new years resolutions, including those relating to work...
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Changes to testing regimens regarding COVID-19
Coronavirus testing rules for people without symptoms are to be eased across the UK due to the large numbers of cases. ...
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Looking Ahead: Three Things Employers Need to Have on their Radar
With 2022 under way many employers will be trying to plan as best they can for developments that may affect their organi...
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Happy holidays…
If your organisation is one of those in which employees carried over holiday as they were prevented from taking it due t...
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Health and Safety Executives statistics 2020-21
A total of 142 workers were killed at work in Great Britain in 2020/21. This represents an increase of 29 fatalities fro...
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A year of planning for just one day…
Having got through the last tumultuous few years many employers will know that it’s not just Father Christmas that spe...
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The Use of Emery Cloth on Metalworking Lathes
Every year there are serious accidents involving the use of emery cloth on metalworking lathes, resulting in injuries su...
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Do you have a situation you want to get ‘all wrapped up’?
Do you wish to end an employment relationship but it’s unlikely a fair dismissal could be achieved? Are you dealing wi...
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(Home) Working in a Winter Wonderland
With many employees back to temporarily working from home again, one of the things managers are likely to be thinking ab...
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Bank holidays – an extra gift for 2022?
To mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee there will be an extra bank holiday in 2022 - the additional bank holiday will be...
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COVID-19 Plan B
Background In late September 2021 the Government formulated a “Plan B” as a contingency plan for an increase in Cov...
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The Most Wonderful Time of the Year…
Some employees may be planning bigger than usual festive celebrations this year to make up for the ‘Christmas that cov...
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HR Christmas Hamper
This year to spread a little cheer we have a ‘HR Christmas Hamper’ for employers to feast their eyes on. Throughout ...
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Proposed New Statutory Payment Rates Announced
The government has announced its proposal to increase statutory maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental pay and ...
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Carer’s Rights Day – Three Fast Facts for Employers
Carer’s Rights Day – Three Fast Facts for Employers This year Carer’s Rights Day is being held on 25th November...
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Are you Managing your Workplace Transport Risks?
Where workplace transport risks are not being correctly managed and an incident occurs the consequences for a driver or ...
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Spotlight On: Menopause and the Workplace
This year has seen an increasing focus on the menopause with more open discussions about the effects of the menopause an...
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Grievances: Three Things it’s Helpful for Every Manager to Know
It’s likely that many managers will find themselves needing to deal with an employee grievance at some point, so what ...
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Workplace Bullying: Five Things Employers Will Find it Helpful to Know
This week is anti-bullying week in England and Wales and it highlights a serious issue which can affect people at all st...
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Four Top Tips to Help Bonfire Night Go with A Bang
As it’s bonfire night we thought we’d take the opportunity to look at some top tips for tackling common HR issues to...
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Minimum Wage News
It has been announced that there will be an increase to national minimum wage rates, including that of the National Livi...
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Safety Notice is issued by HSE regarding the use of Wheeled Loading Shovels
In the last 4 years there have been 9 fatal vehicle / pedestrian collisions which involved wheeled loading shovels. Six ...
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Tackling Sexual Harassment in the Workplace: Three Things Employers Need to know
A new report published by the Fawcett Society, Tackling Sexual Harassment in the Workplace, shows that sexual harassment...
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Four Top Tips for Dealing with the ‘Great Resignation’
With many employees choosing to change jobs at the moment, employers are experiencing what has been dubbed ‘the great ...
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Manufacturers who Produce Wood Dust as a Part of their Operations, to be next Focus for Inspections
In an effort to reduce serious health effects to employees who are exposed to wood dust in the workplace, the Health and...
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National Work Life Week: Three Top Tips to Help with a Good Balance
National Work Life Week is taking place from 11 – 15 October 2021 and Working Families’ annual campaign aims to get ...
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Redundancy – Your Questions Answered
Many employers will be starting to assess the needs of their organisation as we move towards what for some, may be chall...
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HSE Issues Safety Alert re: Lubrication of Circuit Breakers
Due to a catastrophic failure of an HV circuit breaker which lead to an explosion/fire, and which was lucky not to resul...
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New Legislation Regarding Tips on the Way
Following a consultation, the government has announced that they will bring forward measures to ensure tips, gratuities ...
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New Right to Carer’s Leave Announced – Five Fast Facts
Following a consultation which took place last year, the government has now confirmed that a new right to carer’s leav...
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DUST in Construction is the next Focal Point for HSE Inspectors from 4th October
As a part of HSE’s longer term strategy to improve health within the construction industry, from Monday 4th October HS...
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Government Consultation on Flexible Working Launched
The government has commenced their much anticipated consultation on making flexible working the default. Whilst the prop...
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Metal Working Fluids (MWF) – Are you managing them properly?
Exposure to metalworking fluids can cause both irritation of the skin/dermatitis and lung diseases, such as occupational...
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Thinking of Having a ‘Cabinet Reshuffle’ of Your Own? Three Things Employers May Find it Helpful to Know
The Prime Minister’s Cabinet reshuffle has been hitting the headlines as some ministers such as Education Secretary Ga...
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Refusal of Flexible Working Request Costs Employer Nearly £185,000: Where Did They Go Wrong?
An employer who refused an employee’s request to return to work four days a week and to leave an hour earlier each day...
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Three Fast Facts for Disability Awareness Day
To mark Disability Awareness Day, which is taking place on 12th September, we take a look at three facts regarding disab...
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The End of Furlough: Five Questions Managers May Face
The government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (‘furlough’) has been credited with saving many jobs but is set ...
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Skin Cancer from Sun Exposure
Comedian Sean Lock sadly passed away last month from an, as-yet undisclosed, form of cancer. His first brush with the di...
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TUPE: Five Questions Answered
TUPE is the more common name for the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations. It can apply when ...
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What Does Your Organisation Think of the TUC’s Call for Extra Bank Holidays?
The TUC (Trades Union Congress) is calling for four new bank holidays to be created to give employees in England and Wal...
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“Moaning” Employee was Unfairly Dismissed – Three Things to Watch Out For
A short serving employee has won her employment tribunal case after a judge found that she had been automatically unfair...
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Back to School: Empower Your Managers with the Knowledge They Need
With the approach of a new school year, many peoples’ thoughts will be turning to knowledge and learning, employers in...
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Part-Time Workers – Five Fast Facts
Employers can sometimes be unsure of the rights part-time workers have which can make it difficult to tackle some common...
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HSE Issues Call to Farmers to Raise Safety Awareness after a Series of Farm Related Fatalities
HSE, supported by relevant industry partners is asking farmers to review their safe working practices and raise the awar...
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Government Names and Shames: Four Common Minimum Wage Mistakes
The government has released the latest list naming and shaming nearly 191 employers who underpaid the National Minimum W...
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Self-isolation requirements are to be removed for double vaccinated close contacts from 16th August
Adults and children will be free to return to work, attend school, and meet friends and family as the protection from va...
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Can Trespassers Gain Access to Your Site and in Doing So, Are They at Risk of Injury?
The HSE is not the only regulator which can bring its powers to bear on businesses that do not manage to ensure safety i...
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Employing Apprentices – Three Things You Need to Know
If you are taking on an apprentice for the first time it’s important to set your organisation up for success. Here’s...
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HR in the Hotseat: A Flexible Future?
Flexibility has become increasingly important to many employees since the start of the pandemic. For some, temporary cha...
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Four Top Tips for Avoiding Unfair Dismissals
It’s important for employers to get it right when it comes to dismissing employees, particularly as unfair dismissal i...
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MHRA warns of Inaccurate Infrared Thermometers
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued a warning to both the general public and healt...
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HR in the Hotseat: Where Will Your Employees Work in Future?
There has been a lot of media coverage lately about where employees will be working in future in organisations which are...
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Ventilation and Air Conditioning in the Workplace
Providing good ventilation in the workplace is considered to be a key factor in helping to reduce viral infection within...
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Health is Everyone’s Business: Government Response to Consultation
The government consultation ‘Health is Everyone’s Business’ put forward a number of proposals to minimise the risk...
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Sexual Harassment: Government Response to Consultation
In 2019 the government launched a consultation on sexual harassment in the workplace which looked at areas such as wheth...
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Burger Kings Whopper of a Resignation: Four Take-Aways for Employers
A Burger King franchise in Nebraska has been getting much attention after nine members of staff announced their resignat...
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Re-opening your Workplace with COVID in mind
Firstly, it is important that employers recognise that COVID-19 has not gone away and person-to-person contact is still ...
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HR in the Hot-Seat: A Return to the Workplace?
We continue our HR in the Hotseat series, by looking at some of the matters employers may find themselves thinking abou...
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Football Frenzy – Four Issues Employers May Need to Tackle
There was much celebration last night after England secured their place in Sundays Euro 2020 final. After a very long wa...
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Five Pandemic Related Claims Employers Need to Watch Out For
Employers have had a lot to deal with since the start of the pandemic and an employment tribunal claim is not something ...
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Five Take-aways for Employers from the Matt Hancock Situation
As many employers will be aware following all the recent publicity, Matt Hancock has resigned as Health Secretary after ...
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Does Your Organisation Have a Job Vacancy? Five Top Tips for Recruitment
The latest quarterly figures from the Office of National Statistics show that the number of job vacancies in March to Ma...
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Three Family Friendly Rights in the Spotlight for Father’s Day
As this Sunday is Father’s Day we thought we’d take a quick look at three family friendly rights that fathers in you...
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What do the Latest Employment Tribunal Statistics Show?
Quarterly employment tribunal statistics have been released for January to March 2021. They show that compared to the sa...
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Sick Employee Unfairly Dismissed for Going to the Pub: The Truth Behind the Headlines
An employment tribunal decision attracted a lot of attention last week when it was widely reported that an employee was ...
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EAT Finds Gender Critical Belief is Protected Under the Equality Act
In a decision which has generated a lot of interest the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has held that gender critical b...
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Ex-Brewdog Staff Bite Back – Does Your Organisation Need to Act on Workplace Culture?
Brewdog have found themselves in the spotlight after more than 60 former members of staff posted an open letter on Twitt...
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Do You Have Forklift Trucks in Your Workplace?
Recent prosecutions demonstrate that workplace transport accidents where forklift truck use is involved are still occurr...
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Is Bullying on the Rise in Your Organisation? Three Top Tips for Prevention
In a survey conducted by BUPA earlier this year 26 per cent of workers said they had experienced bullying in the last th...
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HR in the Hotseat: Is Your Organisation Ready to Manage Foreign Holiday Issues?
Foreign travel is hitting the headlines again following the government’s announcement yesterday that no new countries ...
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Feeling the Heat? Three Top Tips
As the sun has come out and temperatures are rising some employers may be thinking about whether there are any quick and...
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Dismissal for Defamation was Unfair
An employee who was dismissed for defaming his employer after making comments online about how he had been treated at wo...
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Is Your Organisation Prepared for Flexible Working Requests? Three Fast Facts
Many people will have been reflecting on their working and personal lives over the course of the pandemic and some emplo...
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Employment Law: Four Key Things Every Manager Needs to Know
1. There is a significant legal loophole you may be able to use to your advantage… Did you know employees need two ye...
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Mental Health in the Workplace
Last week was Mental Health week so we thought that this would be a good time for you to look at what you do as a compan...
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HR in the Hotseat: Five Practical Holiday Matters
If the thought of dealing with employee holiday rights has you yearning for a different kind of escape then this Legal U...
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The Cost of Workplace Conflict and Three Take-aways for Employers
According to a new report from ACAS the estimated cost of workplace conflict to UK organisations is £28.5 billion a yea...
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Mental Health Week – Five Top Tips for Good Mental Health in the Workplace
Mental Health Week Top Tip #5 – Help your employees to grow As part of creating a positive working environment in whi...
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Mental Health Week – Five Top Tips for Good Mental Health in the Workplace
Mental Health Week Top Tip #4 - Give employees their ‘moment in the sun’ A little recognition can go a long way in ...
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Mental Health Week – Five Top Tips for Good Mental Health in the Workplace
Mental Health Week Top Tip #3 – Create an environment where all employees can blossom Fear of discrimination and how ...
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Fee For Intervention (FFI) Increases to £160.00 per Hour
Since 2012 when the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) first instigated its Fee for Intervention Scheme (FFI) at £124....
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Mental Health Week – Five Top Tips for Good Mental Health in the Workplace
Mental Health Week Top Tip #2 – Support new employees to allow them to shine Starting a new job can be a daunting exp...
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Mental Health Week – Five Top Tips for Good Mental Health in the Workplace
This week is mental health week and to mark the occasion each day we will be looking at top tips that employers may wish...
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HR in the Hot-Seat: Key Issues for Employers in 2021
As we slowly emerge from lockdown there is going to be much for employers to think about. A lot of the talk at the momen...
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Three Steps Employers Can Take to Help Support Bereaved Employees
Next week is Dying Matters Awareness Week and is intended as an opportunity for organisations, individuals and others to...
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Would One of Your Employees be Able to Skip Work for Fifteen Years? Three Areas of Practice to Watch Out For
An Italian hospital employee has been in the news for allegedly skipping work for fifteen years – on full pay! The cas...
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World Day for Safety and Health at Work
April 28th 2021 This year’s World Day for Safety and Health at Work campaign focuses on strategies to stre...
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Plumbing Suppliers and Contractor Found Guilty After Building Collapse
The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) investigated after a building undergoing work collapsed, with debris falling int...
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Workplace Theft in the Spotlight after Post Office Convictions Overturned
The news that the Court of Appeal has quashed the convictions of 39 former Post Office workers who were found guilty of ...
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Footballs European Super League: Three Issues Highlighted for Employers
Football has been in the headlines with the announcement that some of the top UK clubs were breaking away to start a Eur...
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Employee Awarded over £12,000 in Claim that was Brought Six Months Out of Time
An employment tribunal found that it was just and equitable to extend the time limit in an employee’s direct race disc...
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Fire Safety
The fire at Grenfell Tower represented the greatest loss of life in a residential fire in the UK since the Second World ...
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Workers Exposed to Dermatitis Risk
An engineering company has been fined £20,000 incl of costs for failing to control the risk of its employees developing...
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You Must Be Joking!
A bit of fun in the workplace can contribute to a positive workplace culture, but what if it involves jokes that go wron...
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Whistleblowing in the Spotlight: Five Fast Facts
Following the publication of data by whistleblowing advice service Protect, that revealed one in four COVID-19 whistle-b...
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When Workplace Relationships Overstep the Boundaries…
Employers may find themselves needing to think about workplace relationships on occasion, usually this is when cupid’s...
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