The government has confirmed, following a consultation last year, that it will give employees who are also unpaid carers the right to one week’s unpaid leave per year from their first day of employment. The leave will be available to take flexibly, from half a day to a whole week. The notice period for taking…
A bungled flexible working request cost £184,961
Before consultation started on enhancing the ability to ask to work flexibly, we were reminded of the importance of correctly following the current regime. In Mrs A Thompson v Scancrown Ltd T/a Manors , a sales manager at a London estate agent was on maternity leave from October 2018 to October 2019. In August 2019,…
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Preventing sexual harassment
The government has finally responded to the consultation that it began in February 2019. It has ended where it started and plans to stand by its original proposals following the #MeToo campaign. The plan has four pillars It will introduce a new duty for employers to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace ‘as soon as…
Changes to self-isolation rules
From 16th August 2021, individuals in England no longer need to self-isolate if they are notified by NHS Test and Trace that they’ve had close contact with someone with Covid-19 and any of the following apply: They have been vaccinated with an approved Covid-19 vaccine in the UK, and at least 14 days have passed…
Dismissed worker loses coronavirus case
An employee who skipped work owing to coronavirus fears has lost his claim forunfair dismissal. Facts Leeds Laser Cutting Limited employed Mr Rodgers (R). He worked in a spacious warehouse-style room with four colleagues. On 16th March 2020 one of these colleagues displayed symptoms of coronavirus and was sent home to self-isolate. The first national…
Racism following the Euro 2020 final
England’s men’s football team making it to the Euro 2020 final was tainted by the racism exhibited by a minority, particularly online. We have seen examples in the media of people being named and shamed for posting online racist comments. This has even gone as far as finding a LinkedIn profile and then contacting the…
Covid-19: new vaccination guidance for employers
The government has published new guidance for employers on Covid-19 vaccination, which includes information and resources to help support staff and promote the programme. So, what should you do? You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar, so adopt an open and conciliatory approach. Share Share the facts about vaccination. Direct people to trusted…
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Mandatory vaccinations in care homes: 16 weeks and counting
We mentioned in our last newsletter that, subject to certain exemptions, the government planned to require all care home workers to be vaccinated against Covid-19. That regulation was still in draft form and subject to parliamentary approval. We can now report that the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2021,…
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Government to commence consultation on flexible working
The government will consult on flexible working but there is no plan to introduce a legal right to work from home. The government has confirmed it plans to commence a consultation which would consider whether flexible working would become the default option unless there are good reasons not to do so. According to The Guardian,…
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Covid-19: adjusted right to work check measures extended to 31st August 2021
You can be sent to jail for 5 years and have to pay an unlimited fine if you’re found guilty of employing someone who you knew or had ‘reasonable cause to believe’ did not have the right to work in the UK. You might have to pay a civil penalty of up to £20,000 if…
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Will vaccinations become mandatory for care home workers?
Yes, subject to certain exemptions, vaccination will become mandatory for care home staff, volunteers, and anyone else entering the care home for work. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has published its response to the government consultation on making Covid-19 vaccination a condition of deployment for workers in care homes in England. The…
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A new online tool to help working families
Hands up those who understand shared parental leave. Even if you do, can you explain simply who is eligible and what they can claim? You’re forgiven for waiting for an easier question. The complexity and bureaucracy of the rules prevent employees taking the leave. Help is at hand. The government has launched a new online…
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