Ask the expert: Holiday on sick leave?
Can an employee go on holiday when they are on sick leave, and if so, what are we supposed to pay them? Martin Brewer and Esther Smith advise. The question: Holiday on sick leave? An employee on long-term sick leave (work-related stress) obviously accrues his/her holiday entitlement during this absence. However, during this time if […]
Council pay freeze leads to thaw demands
Unions are urging local councils to reconsider a decision to impose a pay freeze on their 1.5 million workers, which they claim was made without negotiation. The year-long freeze, which is due to come into force from April, flies in the face of the 2.5% or £500 increase – whichever was greater – that Unison, […]
Ask the expert: Sacked after 10 months
A graduate has been sacked after ten months, seemingly unfairly. Is there anything which can be done? The question: A person has been employed for approximately 10 months and passed probation after three months with no adverse comment. This is their first job after graduating from University. Recently they received a letter […]
HR in 2010: ‘From partner to provocateur’ – CIPD
Stephanie Bird , Director of HR Capability at the CIPD, shares with us her vision of HR in 2010 and explains how the CIPD’s reach and research is extending far beyond British shores. When I was asked to write about my favourite topic within HR and what 2010 holds for it, I was initially thrilled […]
Ask the expert: Can they replace my holiday with childcare?
If an employer is making a contribution to childcare, can they remove some of my leave entitlement? And should I be able to avoid tax on the childcare? The question: I have a little boy aged two and my current employer has agreed to pay my £245 that I would get from […]
Engagement despite M&A – the impact on employer brand
Rebecca Clake examines the issues with a merger or acquisition and what HR can do to maintain engagement and keep key staff using recent research from CIPD. CIPD’s new report on mergers and acquisitions defines the employer brand as a ‘two way deal between an organisation and its people – the reason they choose to […]
Be aware of mental health in 2010, says Acas
Ed Sweeney, Acas Chair, considers the impact the recession has had on business and employees and what HR should focus on next year to avoid legal implications. 2009 has been a challenging year for businesses and employees. For many managers, this is the first time that they have encountered such challenging economic conditions. As a […]
BA strike ruled illegal
The planned strike by Unite which would have seen cabin crew striking over the Christmas period is now off after a high court judged it illegal. Unite invited workers who had already agreed to take voluntary redundancy to vote in the ballot. BA raised the issue and although they continued with negotiations, the court found […]
To party or not to party – that is the question
Christmas bash, bonus culture clash, employees getting smashed… the nightmare before Christmas has begun, and the warnings and advice have begun flooding in. Charlie Duff identifes the key themes and tips to take heed of this season… Don’t call off the Christmas partyIn our poll, most of you were going ahead with a Christmas celebration. […]
Colborn’s Corner: Mistletoe and whine – the office Christmas party
This month Quentin muses on personal responsibility when it comes to behaviour at the office Christmas party. Should HR even get involved? It’s that time of year again. For many it is a religious celebration of great significance, for others it’s an excuse for a series of parties and seemingly endless expenditure, which, like the […]
Ask the expert: Does a fixed contract negate redundancy?
Does an employee qualify for redundancy pay even if they’re on a fixed-term contract? Matthew Whelan and Esther Smith advise. The question: If a three-year fixed-term contract is not renewed and the employee dismissed in the absence of other work, do they qualify for a redundancy payment? Legal advice: Matthew Whelan, solicitor, Speechly Bircham The […]
Going postal – the role of HR in a strike
The industrial dispute which has engulfed Royal Mail in recent weeks has led many commentators to predict another 'winter of discontent'. Kevin Dougall explores the role of HR and how to avoid bitter disputes in the first place. Many younger HR workers will not remember the strikes which blighted the 1970s and 80s, but recently […]
Redundancy: sink or swim
Heidi Blakey finds that when undertaking redundancy, determining the correct selection pool is a key issue in avoiding legal challenges. Dismissal on grounds of redundancy has arguably become simpler to justify in view of the economic downturn. Not only is it easier in these recessionary times to demonstrate that a redundancy is genuine, but […]
HR tip: Making rules work
Learn HR is a leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications, and is experienced in advising on common HR and payroll problems. A wide selection of tips and guidance can be seen below. HRzone.co.uk recommends that any tips are taken as a starting point for guidance only. The question:Our […]
Does the Pereda ruling make you feel ill?
Alison Norris, an HR expert with Employment Law Specialists & Health and Safety Advisors mhl Support, suggests a remedy – and indulges in a little bird watching… In September we had (yet) another decision from Europe that shook us to the core. The ruling related to one Francesco Pereda, a council worker from Madrid, and […]
Disciplinary and grievances in the aftermath of redundancy
Dealing with redundancies for businesses can be tough, but staff who remain pose challenges of their own. Laura Livingstone and Christopher DelaMare examine the correct procedures for dealing with employees using the ACAS Code. For many employees, job security seems like a thing of the past. Staff may be demoralised or fearful of […]
Employment law round-up: Changes in October
HR professionals need to be aware of a few legislation changes coming into force today. Craig Havard explains what you need to know. There are only a few pieces of employment legislation coming into force on 1 October this year. These are summarised below. 1. National minimum wage: Tips The effect of tips (and other gratuities), […]
Tribunal report shows redundancy claims up
The report from the Employment Appeals Tribunal into claims made between 2008 and 2009 showed that a failure to inform and consult on redundancy led to a rise in those types of Tribunal claims, despite cases falling overall. Key findings from the EAT report into tribunals from 2008-2009 revealed an overall decrease in claims accepted […]
Ask the expert: Holiday during probation period
Can an employer, in a small business, prevent new employees taking annual leave during their probation period? Martin Brewer and Esther Smith advise. The question: We currently have a six-month probation period. We are a small firm and I have six new employees which makes up a third of the staff. Are […]
Colborn’s Corner: The end of civil service redundancy cheques?
There are plans to cut generous redundancy payments for the 500,000 civil servants in Britain. Quentin Colborn examines the issue and questions what employers are trying to achieve by such payments. If one topic has been on the lips of HR people over the last year then ‘redundancy’ has to be close to being top of […]