Ask the Expert: Can an employee claim for relocation 5 years on?

The question We have an employee who was relocated in 2007 to a different work venue.   He was entitled to claim a reorganisation allowance for a period of three years after the move and failed to claim at the time, but has now asked whether it can be paid in retrospect.   Our policy […]

News: Employers ‘routinely discriminate against women from ethnic minorities’

A group of MPs and peers has urged the government to take steps to improve equality in employment procedures after it was revealed that many employers routinely discriminate against women from ethnic minorities. A report produced by the Runnymede Trust for the all-party parliamentary group on race and community found that females belonging to ethnic […]

Blog: New Year’s resolution #1: Become a charity trustee

In his Autumn Statement this week, Chancellor George Osborne announced that the UK economy is set to shrink by a worse than expected 0.1% this year. So with an uncertain business climate ahead, businesses will need to work more smartly than ever to ensure that their employees are productive and engaged during 2013.   One […]

Seasonal workers – How to ensure many happy returns

Many organisations look forward to the festive season as a time of generating major revenues – and, despite the difficult economic climate, it appears that business was brisker for many in November than had been expected. To ensure that things run smoothly during this busy time, however, most rely on temporary labour to help them […]

2012 – The year in full

HRZone editor, Cath Everett, picks out the key events from what has, once again, been a challenging year for the HR community:       January   The PM’s views on popular capitalism: Employee-ownership, Living Wages etc Increasingly fragile UK jobs market was set to get worse More strikes and legal action threatened over public […]

Legal Insight: Would you hire a reservist?

A recent government announcement that the Territorial Army and other UK reserve forces are to grow to around 35,000 by 2020 will inevitably have an impact on both private and public sector employers as most reservists also have civilian jobs. A consultation entitled ‘Future Reserves 2020: Delivering the Nation’s Security Together’ proposes measures to create […]

News: Chancellor’s Autumn Budget Statement for HR at-a-glance

Here are the key HR-related announcements of Chancellor George Osborne’s Autumn Budget Statement:  Civil service spending/job cuts   Whitehall departments will be required to shave 1% off their running costs during the financial year 2013/14 and a further 2% the following year in order to save £3.4 billion on top of existing cuts.   Another […]

News: Govt pursues shares-for-rights scheme despite lack of support

 The government has decided to press ahead with its plans for ‘employee-owner’ contracts despite a lack of support among either employers or employees. A consultation by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills revealed that most organisations would choose not to take up the new rights, which were announced by Chancellor George Osborne in his […]

Talking Point: Will shared parental leave work?

"Shared Parenting Matters." And the author of this statement? Not a parenting charity, but the government in a consultation paper.   And indeed, the concept took a step closer to reality last month after the government unveiled its proposals on the practical implementation of shared parenting leave.   But the plans, which are designed to […]

News: Starbucks’ move to cut staff benefits sparks fresh concern

Starbucks’ decision to cut paid lunch breaks, sick leave and maternity benefits has sparked concern among staff that they are being forced to help subsidise the coffee chain’s potential tax bill increase. According to the Guardian, on the same day last week that the House of Commons’ public accounts committee branded the firm’s tax avoidance […]

Ask the Expert: How can I keep my job with an undiagnosed disability?

The question I have developed a disability that requires a few reasonable adjustments in the workplace.   Access to Work has agreed to fund an assistant for me, which would be the most expensive.   But at the end of April, I was sent home from work after several meetings between my union and employer, […]

Legal Insight: The compulsory retirement age issue

At first glance, the retirement situation of Hungarian judges might not seem to be the most pertinent of cases for UK employers.  But a recent decision made by the European Court of Justice provides interesting guidance on compulsory retirement ages and age discrimination issues.   Previously in Hungary, judges, prosecutors and notaries were required to […]

News: Industry publishes code of conduct over workplace pension charges

The workplace pensions industry has bowed to political pressure and published a code of conduct relating to the disclosure of schemes’ fees and investment costs, which will come into force next year. The voluntary code, which was launched today, is intended to ensure that such disclosure is consistent in an attempt to make it easier […]

News: Coulson wins legal costs appeal against News Group

Former News of the World editor Andy Coulson has won his appeal against a High Court ruling that News Group Newspapers does not have to pay his legal costs. Coulson, who is facing trial next year on charges related to his alleged involvement in phone hacking while at the now defunct Sunday paper, sued NGN […]

Blog: Shared parenting leave – Is it really a win-win?

The latest government proposals in respect to encouraging a ‘family-friendly’ workplace seem to have met with general approval both from business and employee groups. Under the proposals, unveiled last week by the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, from 2015, after the first two weeks of a mother’s maternity leave, the remaining 50 weeks can be […]

News: Suspended civil servant sues Dept for Transport

A civil servant who was suspended following the West Coast mainline rail franchise fiasco is to take legal action against the Department for Transport over the way that she was treated. Kate Mingay, the DfT’s director of commercial and technical services, was one of three officials suspended in early October, after the government changed its […]

Blog: How to deal with the pregnancy issue – legally

I have recently been contacted by several women who feel they have been unfairly treated by their employers because of pregnancy and maternity issues.  It seems that this is an area of employment law that many employers fall foul of, possibly unintentionally.    Pregnant employees or those on maternity leave have many key rights in […]

News: Employers flout discrimination law for migraine sufferers

Employers may be flouting disability discrimination legislation by failing to make reasonable workplace adjustments for employees who suffer from migraines, a charity has warned. According to a survey conducted by the Migraine Trust, a worrying three out of sufferers who work said that their employer had not made any changes to try and ease their […]

Ask the Expert: What benefits are included under a TUPE transfer?

The question  I am currently working on a TUPE project and need some help on issues relating to terms and conditions of employment.   Under TUPE law, I understand that an employee transfers under the terms and conditions of their employment. But my question is how do you determine what is contractual or not if, […]

News: MPs call for action over recruiters’ worker expenses schemes

A group of MPs stepped up pressure on the government today to crack down on the travel and subsistence expense schemes being imposed on temporary workers by some recruitment agencies in order to cut their tax bill. To this end, the five, who were led by Labour MP Michael Connarty, introduced an Early Day Motion […]