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,…
[ READ MORE ] from DWP encourages ‘midlife MOTs’ for employees over 50
New duty on employers to prevent sexual harassment at work
Here are six things you need to know. 1 What will this new law do? The Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023, which does not apply to Northern Ireland, will place a new pre-emptive duty on employers to take ‘reasonable steps’ to prevent sexual harassment of employees in the course of their…
[ READ MORE ] from New duty on employers to prevent sexual harassment at work
When is a resignation, not a resignation?
When your employee didn’t mean it. In Omar v Epping Forest District Citizens Advice, the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) held that an employment tribunal erred in finding that an employee’s resignation in the heat of the moment was intended. Facts The employee (‘O’) resigned from Epping Forest District Citizens Advice (EFDCA) during an altercation with…
[ READ MORE ] from When is a resignation, not a resignation?
Largest increase in minimum wage
The government has announced substantial increases to the national living wage (NLW) and national minimum wage (NMW) from 1st April 2024, along with a key change for workers aged 21 and 22. What are the new rates? From 1st April 2024: The NLW rate will rise by 9.8% from £10.42 to £11.44 per hour –…
Fawcett Society publishes employer’s guide on supporting new mothers at work
The Fawcett Society has published an employer’s guide to supporting new mothers at work. It found that, owing to childcare pressures, 11% of working mothers resign, 41% decline a promotion, and only 31% have access to flexible working. The recommendations for employers include: Build a clear policy framework This should be shared with managers and…
[ READ MORE ] from Fawcett Society publishes employer’s guide on supporting new mothers at work
Should you ban personal relationships at work?
ITV has issued new guidelines to staff saying that sexual, romantic or close relationships or friendships with co-workers must be declared at the earliest opportunity. It is estimated that over a quarter of employees meet their long-term partner at work and that more than half have had a personal relationship or office romance with a…
[ READ MORE ] from Should you ban personal relationships at work?
The rate of employee sickness absence is rising
The CIPD has published the findings of its annual Health and Wellbeing at Work Survey 2023. It revealed that employee sickness absence is at the highest level reported for over a decade. Here are its key findings: Sickness absence The average sickness absence, at 7.8 days per employee, is at its highest for over a…
[ READ MORE ] from The rate of employee sickness absence is rising
Employee excluded from WhatsApp chat wins £130,000
A long-term sick employee who was excluded from his employer’s WhatsApp group chat has been awarded £130,000 compensation by the tribunal. Facts Back problems Mark Brosnan (B) began working for Coalo (C) as a plumber in 2016. In 2019, B started to have lower back problems which led to him taking 15 days’ sick leave…
[ READ MORE ] from Employee excluded from WhatsApp chat wins £130,000
Floodgates opened on historic holiday pay claims?
Unlawful deductions If a worker wishes to challenge their employer about potentially unlawful deductions from wages, they must bring a tribunal claim within three months of the underpayment. Where there has been a series of underpayments, the worker may bring a tribunal claim within three months of the last of those underpayments. Holiday pay Underpayments…
[ READ MORE ] from Floodgates opened on historic holiday pay claims?
What is environmental, social and governance (ESG) and why does it matter?
It is the range of environmental, social and governance factors against which the sustainability credentials of a company may be measured. Environmental refers to a company’s: Impact on the natural environment. Carbon footprint. Production of waste. Pollution. Social refers to how a company manages its: Relationship with its workforce. Customers. Suppliers. The wider community. Governance…
[ READ MORE ] from What is environmental, social and governance (ESG) and why does it matter?
