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If you are self-employed, you may be aware of the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) grant. Applications for the fifth (and final) grant are currently open but will close on 30 September 2021. If you are eligible to receive the grant and have not...
In this month's mini-series we look at what should and should not be done by an employer when it comes to the disciplinary process. It is important to be aware that if matters become contested and a claim is made to the Employment Tribunal, any...
In this month's mini-series we look at what should and should not be done by an employer when it comes to the disciplinary process. It is important to be aware that if matters become contested and a claim is made to the Employment Tribunal, any...
The illness of Long Covid (officially known as 'post-covid syndrome') is becoming the next big issue for some employers. There is significant uncertainty about the illness itself, which presents a real concern for Employers who will have to...
While lockdown restrictions have been in place, many people have had more time to try their hand at something new. Perhaps you have set up a new business to share your latest passion, or maybe this is something you have been considering for a while. Either...
Government confirms most people working in care homes will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Following consultation, the UK government have confirmed that vaccinations will become mandatory for most care home workers. Amendments...
It is easy to see how workplace conflicts can have a significant and long-lasting impact on both employers and the employees. However, a recent publication by impartial employment conciliation and arbitration service ACAS, attempts to show the...
As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the way we work and live has been forever changed. Many people have enjoyed the flexibility of working from home, including avoiding a commute, setting their own hours and taking care of their children. Employers can...
Having staff working remotely has presented significant challenges for many businesses, but one of the most difficult to address is the increased cybersecurity risk. As many companies did not have sufficient opportunity to prepare for the transition to...
When bullying or racism is involved, seniority and titles do not confer special protection... Recent headlines in the media have shown that bullying or racism can affect anyone at any level, including royalty and high-flying civil servants. ...
The last 12 months has seen the country plunged into lockdowns of varying degrees. Many employees were forced, with very little notice, to pick up their desks in the office and move them to their dining rooms! The Office of National Statistics...
In the recent case of Allay (UK) Ltd v Gehlen, it was held that even where employees have been trained in the past, this does not mean that the statutory defence to vicarious liability can be satisfied if that training has become stale and ineffective. What...
Record numbers signed up to ditch meat during January for the Veganuary Challenge, but even when burgers are back on the menu, employers need to keep an eye on safeguarding ethical beliefs for vegans who make it a lifestyle. The interest in...
The Government has announced that both the National Living Wage (NLW) and National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates are due to increase in April 2021. The Government has also decided to lower the age bracket for those entitled to National Living Wage from 25 to...
A landmark High Court decision has been handed down in The Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain v The Secretary of State for Work & Pensions and others confirming that the UK has failed to properly transpose EU law and in doing so has failed...
Many employers are using software solutions to track employee activity, particularly where home working is taking place during the Covid-19 pandemic, but using such software can take companies into dangerous territory which may result in breaches of data...
On 24 September 2020, Rishi Sunak announced the Government plans to create the Coronavirus Job Support Scheme which will replace the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme which began in March 2020 to help businesses which had been impacted by the COVID-19...
Saturday 10th October marks World Mental Health Day for 2020, and this year in particular has been a difficult one for many reasons. The months of lockdown and the changes that have followed have had a huge impact on both employers and employees,...
In the run-up to this year’s Anti-Bullying Week, which runs from 16th to 20th November 2020, employers are being encouraged to look at how new styles of working may be affecting employees. Employers are being encouraged to focus on how they manage and...
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (furlough) is due to come to an end on 31 October 2020. At the peak of the scheme, in May 2020, over 8.9 million workers were placed on furlough. The scheme has been a lifeline to help those businesses which...
The COVID-19 pandemic has had huge financial implications on many businesses in the UK. Whilst the government implemented the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme in March 2020, unfortunately many people find themselves facing redundancy. It was announced on 12...
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy announced last week that they will be implementing a new law which means that all furloughed employees will receive a redundancy payment based on their normal wages – not the furlough...
With lockdown starting to ease and businesses starting up again after many weeks of closure, the issue of Director's Duties will begin to raise its head as directors find ways for their business to succeed in the "new normal". Director's...
Many employers throughout the UK have had to work hard to keep their businesses afloat throughout the Coronavirus pandemic. If their business has been affected or they have had to close during lockdown in accordance with Government guidelines, then...
The case of Ferguson & Ors v Astrea Asset Management Limited shows that an attempt to change contractual terms because of a transfer under TUPE will be rendered void, whether they are to the advantage or disadvantage of the employee. The directors...
Companies looking to protect their business by relying on non-compete clauses for key employees should check that any post-termination restrictions are reasonable. To be enforceable, they should go no further than protecting an employer’s...
Click here to download the Flexible Furlough Guidance....
The legal system has had to quickly adapt to the challenges faced as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, and one example of this is the Employment Appeal Tribunal's (EAT) need to take steps to modernise the way their hearings take place. The...
Over the last few months we have seen significant changes across all industries in an attempt to effectively deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. The Tribunals have not been any different. A large number of Employment Tribunal Hearings were postponed...
On Friday, 29 May 2020 Rishi Sunak announced updates to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. The main points announced at the Chancellor's press conference include: The 10 June 2020 will be the last day that employers can place their employees...
The Employment Team have successfully defended an appeal heard in the High Court on a legal point never before determined with binding precedence. The case, led by Grant Shackleston, concerned whether an express confidentiality term in an ACAS COT3...
Since the creation of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme on 19 March 2020, the Government has contributed towards the wages of 7.5 million workers and it is estimated that it has cost over £14 billion to date. On 12 May 2020, The Chancellor,...
FURLOUGH LEAVE: EMPLOYEE'S FAQs Download here ...
On 6 th April 2020, the Agency Worker (Amendment) Regulations 2019 came into force which had the effect of abolishing the Swedish Derogation. What is the Swedish Derogation? Before 6 th April this year, Regulations 10 and 11 of the Agency Worker...
Significant changes will be made to the way employers in the UK recruit citizens from around the world following the introduction of a new points-based immigration system from 1 st January 2021, which will mean an end to free movement. The key aim of the...
April 6 is usually an important date in any Employment Lawyer 's calendar as it is one of the two dates each year when legislative changes are implemented. This year has been exceptional, with many focussed on the employment implication of the...
The Supreme Court has just issued an important judgment on the scope of vicarious liability, the principle that an Employer can be legally responsible for wrongs committed by its employees . Although the principle has existed for nearly 200 years, cases...
Yesterday the government issued further guidance for employers and employees on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, to include details of who is eligible and what they could be entitled to. Our Employment Law Team have put together a useful booklet...
Away from Coronavirus, The Employment Tribunals have today updated the so-called Vento bands for damages payable to a Claimant who has been found to have suffered injury to feelings as a result of unlawful discrimination . The bands, which take their...
Employers are on countdown for new requirements on employment contracts. From April, the statutory requirements around statements of particulars are changing and being extended to include all workers, not just employees. It means that anyone...
COVID-19 CLIENT NOTICE Chattertons are open and we are working hard to provide our usual high standard of service to our clients. We are now able to see clients for essential meetings, by appointment only. Most of our advisors are working...
The Employment Law Team at Chattertons have been busy advising our clients in order to prepare for the impact that the coronavirus pandemic may have on the business and their workforce. We have put together a short guidance booklet to help answer...
Chattertons Solicitors are open for business. However we are following government recommendations and would encourage you not to visit any of our offices except by prior arrangement. We are closely monitoring the developments of COVID-19 and are...
The Employment Rights (Increase of Limits) Order 2020 has been laid before Parliament. From 06 April 2020 , the Order will implement a number of changes to compensation limits, such as: - The limit on a 'week's pay' will be increased from...
IR35 and the off-payroll working reform initially came into force in 2017 for public sector organisations. However, on 6th April 2020 the new IR35 rules will come into force, affecting medium/large private sector organisations. Although often...
1. As an employee, am I entitled to pay if I self-isolate? If the employee chooses to self-isolate but are not instructed to do so by a medical professional: Strictly speaking, no. There is no statutory right to receive pay for time away from work...
Last year the Court of Appeal in the case of Chief Constable of Leicestershire v Hextall held that it is not discriminatory to pay men on shared parental leave less than the enhanced rate of maternity pay paid to women on maternity leave. The Supreme Court...
A Sky engineer who was dismissed following failure to follow health and safety rules is successful in claim of unfair dismissal and disability discrimination . Mr Plowright was employed by Sky-in-Home Services Limited as a Field Engineer from March 2007...
A philosophical belief is a "protected characteristic" under the Equality Act 2010. It is unlawful to discriminate against an individual because of their philosophical belief. There is a five-point criteria to be met in order to...
What is TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings)? The purpose of TUPE is to protect employees in the event that the business they work for transfers over to someone else. It means that the employees' terms, entitlements and rights remain the same with the new...
