HR tip: New recruit fails to arrive
These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Question:"We recruited a man and waited for him to serve his notice with his current employer. However he has failed to turn up to work. What can we do?" HR tip:Contact him and […]
HR tip: Employing husband and wife in same unit – sex discrimination?
These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Question:"A woman has applied for a job in the same small section as her husband. We are not comfortable with this. Can we do anything?" HR tip:No, it would be a breach of […]
HR tip: Does raising standards require new contract?
These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Question:"We recruited a supervisor who left after six months' service. We now discover that the standards of both behaviour and productivity dropped during the period he ran his section. We need to bring […]
Resigned or dismissed? How the law sees it
When there is confusion as to whether an employee has resigned or been dismissed, how is it seen in the eyes of the law? Barrister Charles Price explains. It is often not clear whether an employee has resigned or was dismissed, and it has been held in law that where an employee is told […]
Laying down the law: Legislation roundup
The April legislation amendments are upon us again. Matt Henkes takes a look at the changes you need to know about. As the 6 April regulatory implementation date approaches, it's time for HR to make a last quick check that it's not going to trip over some hidden snag. With a number of easily […]
Sexual harassment laws introduced with just three weeks’ notice
New anti-sexual harassment rules are to come into force on 6 April, despite only being laid down in Parliament two weeks ago. HRZone.co.uk has learnt that on 14 March, women and equalities minister Harriet Harman used a statutory instrument, that does not require a debate in Parliament, to introduce the rules which impose on employers […]
Ask the expert: Aggressive behaviour during disciplinary hearing
An employee was asked to attend a disciplinary meeting after threatening to kill another colleague; yet during the meeting he became aggressive and was escorted out. Esther Smith, partner at Thomas Eggar, and Martin Brewer, partner at Mills & Reeve, advise on what should be done next. The question: Following being suspended from work, […]
Employer-induced sickness: Is dismissal still fair?
Can it ever be fair to dismiss an employee for sickness incapacity when the employer has caused, or at least contributed to, that ill health? The Court of Appeal says 'yes', as employers everywhere breathe a sigh of relief. Junaid Haroon explains. The case This is a rather sad case. Suzanne McAdie had worked […]
HR tip: Changing terms and conditions of employment
These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Question: "If I change someone's terms and conditions of employment, do I have to issue a new contract?" HR Tip:There is no need to do this, though you must confirm the change in […]
HR tip: Modest pay increase
These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Question:"An employee, along with several others, received only a modest pay increase this year because his section performed badly. He complained at the time but was given a clear and full explanation. Now, […]
HR tip: Disabled employee and sickness benefit
These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Question:"One of my employees is a disabled person who has been off sick for several months and has now exhausted his contractual sick pay entitlement. Because he is disabled do I have to […]
HR tip: Age discrimination
These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Question:"We are uncomfortable with age discrimination constraints. How can we ensure that a candidate has the appropriate length of experience for the job if we cannot ask for minimum periods of experience in […]
HR Tip: Transfer of undertakings
These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Question: "We are transferring a function out to a contractor but one of the employees affected does not wish to transfer. We have no job we can offer him. How do we stand?" HR […]
HR tip: Restrictive covenants
These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Question: "How can I make an employee accept a restrictive covenant?" HR Tip: This could be difficult. If there is a really sound business reason for wanting the covenant, and the employee refuses it unreasonably […]
Sidelined? The disappointing maternity return. By Annie Hayes
Undermined, excluded and sidelined – these are just some of the situations working mums complain of when they return to work following a period of maternity leave. Annie Hayes reports on the emotional and legal battle. In 2006 just over half of women (55 per cent) with children under five were in the labour force. […]
HR tip: Compromise agreement
These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Question:"What exactly is a compromise agreement?" HR Tip: A compromise agreement is a legally binding agreement between an employer and an employee, made usually – though not necessarily – on termination of the latter's […]
Ministers promise to cut red tape
A programme of reforms aimed at slashing the red tape blighting UK businesses was unveiled yesterday by the government. Business and enterprise secretary John Hutton said the new measures are aimed at “tackling regulation and creating a dynamic business environment”. Ministers, he revealed, will put greater pressure on regulators to review and reduce the number […]
HR tip: Resignation in face of discipline
These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Question: Our managing director is more than happy if people who are summoned to a formal disciplinary meeting choose instead to resign. He does not want to jeopardise their chances of getting another […]
Ask the expert: Annual leave request refused
This week, Esther Smith, partner at Thomas Eggar, and Martin Brewer, partner and employment law specialist at Mills & Reeve, advise on what to do when an employee has used up all their annual leave entitlement, so has the holiday request refused, and then makes it known they plan to take the week off sick […]
HR tip: Companion in disciplinary hearings
These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Question: "Our disciplinary procedure states that a shop steward is provided to attend any formal disciplinary hearing. An employee who has been asked to attend a disciplinary hearing has objected to this and […]
