A month-by-month guide to key new legislation for 2013

Here is a list of the key new legislation that we can expect to see over the weeks and months ahead (source – law firm, Bond Pearce):   1 February: Employment tribunal compensation limits will increase under the Employment Rights (Increase of Limits) Order 2012.    February: Rounding up of increases to statutory redundancy payments […]

News: Older workers valued least in the workplace, reveals study

Even though older staff are considered to have a better work ethic and attitude towards working hard than other generations, they are still being subjected to age discrimination when trying to get a job. According to a survey conducted by cognitive neuroscientist and age diversity specialist, Dr Lynda Shaw, respondents believed that people over 60 […]

Ask the Expert: How does the DRA’s removal hit employment contracts?

The question  I’m aware of the Default Retirement Age having been removed under the Employment Equality Regulations 2011, but I would like guidance on how this situation affects contracts of employment.   The wording of our contracts is currently as below and, while I suspect it will need to be removed, I’d like to find […]

Analysis: Stringfellows wins unfair dismissal appeal against dancer

Former Stringfellows lap dancer Nadine Quashie lost her claim for unfair dismissal after the Court of Appeal found in the nightclub’s favour last month. For almost two years, the case has been making waves in the tabloid press and in HR, legal and accounting circles because of its implications for other employment status situations, including […]

Is it time to rework your social media policy?

Let’s face it, social media and employment don’t mix very well.  Every week, another embarrassing tweet by an employee or an employer’s (over-)reaction to Facebook seems to make the headlines, adding weight to the argument that the two should be kept as far apart as possible.   But while this proposition may sound ideal, it […]

News: Female solicitor warned off having relationship or babies, tribunal hears

A female solicitor has accused a former “bullying” boss of sacking her unfairly due to her gender after she began a relationship against his wishes. Kate Baker, who qualified as a solicitor in 2004 and had been earning £45,000 per year, attested that she had been warned both against having a relationship or having babies. […]

Talking Point: Lembit Opik – Do you know how to manage a maverick?

I suppose you could say that I was a ‘maverick.’  Of course, it all depends on the definition.   Personally, I’d define a maverick as someone who follows their conscience and imagination rather than following the ‘norm’.    But other people might define such people in a different way: for example, as an unpredictable, uncontrollable […]

HRD Insight: GGHT’s Gary Cookson on hiring the long-term unemployed

As a housing provider with a social mission, we recruit lots of staff who are long-term unemployed.  This means that many of our employees – particularly our plasterers, joiners, electricians, plumbers and housing management officers – have often had little experience of the workplace.   A large proportion of our workers are also our tenants, […]

Blog: Dealing with the thorny legal issue of vicarious liability

Employers should not turn a blind eye to allegations of harassment.  They should be investigated fully as quickly as possible and dealt with appropriately and fairly.       In cases of sexual or racial harassment that are taken to an employment tribunal, an employer may have to defend an allegation of vicarious liability.     […]

News: Christians cannot refuse to work on Sundays, rules judge

Individual Christians do not have any protection in law against being fired if they refuse to work on Sundays, a High Court judge has ruled. The judgement by Mr Justice Langstaff, president of the Employment Appeal Tribunal, upholds an earlier decision by a London tribunal that taking Sunday as a day of rest was not […]

Ask the Expert: Should we allow a sick employee to return to work?

The question One of our sales staff has recently returned to work after an operation on their ankle. Pins were removed and they were told that they could drive after one week.   Three weeks later, however, they were still unable to do so as it was too painful. We advised them to go back […]

News: Bribery Act awareness suffers north-south divide

Just under half of UK employers have not heard of the Bribery Act, with manufacturing and automotive firms in the north of England being particularly unaware. A survey conducted among 50 procurement managers by the Fraud, Investigations and Disputes Services team at management consultancy Ernst & Young revealed that a mere 56% had heard of […]

In a Nutshell: Four considerations when holding a tricky conversation

As an HR pro, being able to talk about sensitive and emotive issues is an important part of the job, but it’s also one of the toughest. If handled badly, such conversations, ranging from performance and conduct to personal matters, can damage team dynamics, lower morale and have a negative impact on attendance and performance […]

Legal Insight: The potential impact of employee shareholder schemes

At the Conservative Party conference last year, the Chancellor George Osborne unveiled plans to create a new employment status – the ‘employee-owner’.  The government promoted these proposals as part of its drive for growth and to give business more flexibility to hire and fire staff.    Some commentators were quick to dismiss them as political […]

Legal Insight: When the (Christmas) party’s over…

As the festive season takes hold, workplaces around the country have been hanging up the tinsel, sending out corporate Christmas cards and thinking about the end of year knees-up. But both HR departments and the wider workforce should be aware that, just because a Christmas party takes place outside of work hours and in rented […]

News: Men who wear pink shirts earn more and are better qualified

Men who wear pink cotton shirts earn more and are better qualified than those who prefer traditional colours such as white or blue, according to a study.   On average, pink-loving males earn £1,000 more a year than those who prefer blue shirts and are twice as likely to have a Masters degree than those […]

News: Investment manager loses £1.7m bonus over poaching lunch

An investment manager lost a £1.7 million bonus claim today after the High Court found that he had breached the terms of his employment contract by trying to poaching another employee over lunch. Fahim Imam-Sadeque had been head of sales for the UK, Middle East and Australia at Royal Bank of Canada’s Bluebay Asset Management […]

Blog: Four tips to help stressed out HR pros relax

Stress is common in the workplace and it negatively impacts the performance of employees. HR managers of small businesses often wear many hats and are placed in the position of recruiter, benefits administrator, payroll processor and more.   Stress in the workplace makes a big impact. In fact, stress was the most common cause of […]

Blog: How to avoid a Christmas bust-up

It’s official now, the Christmas season has started. The city is decorated, sparkling and illuminated.   It is chilly, people have started sipping mulled wine, and pulling and wearing paper hats at Christmas parties. One of my colleagues is even planning her Christmas-tree decoration using a new app on her iPad. So, what’s the spirit […]

Conflict resolution: Learning from the lessons of the Anglican Church

The concept of mediation has been splashed across the headlines lately due to a suitably high-profile conflict: the Anglican Church has been divided in two by the issue of women bishops. But the Church is facing the same question as any conflict-stricken organisation does: what is the best approach to bring about a sustainable, long-term […]