Boots has decided to end its hybrid working policy and require all office employees to work full-time in the office. Previously, employees were allowed to work remotely two days a week but starting on 1st September 2024 they will be expected to be in the office daily. Boots UK’s Managing Director, Seb James, believes this…
New Equality laws?
The Labour Party has announced that it will propose significant changes to discrimination laws if it wins the next general election. While the exact wording of the proposed legislation has not been published, several press publications have indicated what it may include. Extend equal pay Extend equal pay protections under the Equality Act 2010 to…
Seven ways to create a neuroinclusive business
On 20th February 2024, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) published a guide on neuroinclusion at work. Here are its key principles: Principle one: Understand where you are now and commit to a long-term action plan. Regardless of your organisation’s commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), there may be some way to…
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Will Employment Tribunal fees return before Christmas?
On 29th January 2024, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) launched a consultation on re-introducing fees for employment tribunal claims and appeals to the EAT. What happened last time? Employment Tribunal (ET) fees were introduced in July 2013. Type A claims (simpler disputes such as unpaid holiday pay) attracted a total cost of £390, and Type…
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£340,000 for being called ‘a pensioner’
A tribunal has awarded £340,000 to an employee who was labelled ‘a pensioner’ because of his age and placed ‘in the relegation zone’. What happened? Mr Gregory (G) began working for PetroTrace Ltd (P) as a project geophysicist in September 2017. He was in his late 50s. P is owned by Mr Baranksy (Ba) and…
Menopause guidance for employers
On 22nd February 2024, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) published employer guidance on menopause in the workplace. The guidance explains: Menopause and perimenopause Menopause is when a woman’s periods stop owing to lower hormone levels. It usually happens between the ages of 45 and 55, but can be earlier or later. It can…
New employment legislation to come into effect on 6th April 2024
Paternity leave changes The main changes to statutory paternity leave are: New flexibility is being introduced, allowing employees to take two separate one-week blocks of leave rather than having to take a single period of one or two weeks’ paternity leave. Employees will be entitled to take paternity leave at any time in the first…
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£470,000 awarded to employee sacked for using the ‘N-word’
An employment tribunal (‘ET’) decided at a liability hearing that a manager, Mr Borg-Neal, who used an offensive racial term in a race awareness training session, was unfairly dismissed and subjected to discrimination because of something arising from his disability (dyslexia). We discussed the reasons for the decision and what we can learn from it…
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How is holiday pay changing?
The way holiday pay is calculated changed in England, Wales and Scotland on 1st January 2024 under the draft Employment Rights (Amendment Revocation and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2023 (the Regulations). So, what is changing? Unlawful deductions from wages claims Workers will continue to receive four weeks of holiday at ‘normal’ pay (referred to as Annual Leave)…
Flexible working: a day-one right
Currently, an employee needs 26 weeks’ service to make a flexible working request; however, under new regulations laid before parliament, this will become a day one right from 6th April 2024. This new right will apply to all flexible working requests made on or after 6th April 2024, so you may get more requests to work flexibly…
Laddish culture costs Lidl £50,000
In Hunter v Lidl Great Britain Limited, the employer had to compensate a woman whom her manager sexually harassed and other members of staff who thought their behaviour was normal ‘workplace banter’. What happened? When Miss Hunter started working for Lidl as a teenager, she was almost immediately subjected to unwanted advances and comments by…
DWP encourages ‘midlife MOTs’ for employees over 50
Tech company Multiverse found that around 5.3 million workers over 50 are considering early retirement owing to perceived skill gaps. So, the government is encouraging employers, particularly small and medium-sized businesses, to offer midlife MOTs to retain and support employees aged 50 and above. The idea involves individuals reflecting on their wealth, well-being and careers,…
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