As an employer, creating a balanced, non-discriminatory workplace should be your priority. Yet, maternity discrimination is a significant issue faced by many pregnant women and new mothers. In fact, a recent employment tribunal revealed that a pregnant worker discovered that her job was advertised before she was fired. The tribunal ruled that the business fired the worker to avoid paying her whilst on maternity leave. The worker received £17,500 in compensation. To avoid cases such as this, make sure you know the laws regarding maternity in the workplace. The Equality Act 2010 The cornerstone ..read more

The UK Government has released the Smarter Regulation policy paper outlining key changes to employment law in the post-Brexit era. These include limiting non-compete clauses to three months, allowing rolled-up holiday pay, and altering the requirement for Transfer of Undertakings – Protection of Employment (TUPE) transfers. So, what changes have been made and how could you be impacted as an employer? Three-month cap on non-compete clauses The Government intends to legislate a three-month cap on non-compete clauses in employment contracts. Designed to promote employee mobility and economic grow ..read more

As an employer, it is important to ensure you have good recruitment and retainment processes in place to support a smooth workflow and to help your employees feel supported. It is vital for you to consider and assess your approaches to ensure you are maximising your procedures. So, what can you do to improve? Are you doing all you can to stand out to potential candidates? Ever since the pandemic changed the way we work, employers are more often open to offering remote working in the UK. Recent statistics have found that there has been an increase by 274 per cent in remote working post pandemic ..read more

Valentine’s Day is a time when love is in the air. Flowers, chocolates and romance are the order of the day. But for employers and their HR departments, it is a time for potential headaches because of workplace romantic relationships. These can lead to conflicts of interest, favouritism, lack of transparency and embarrassment to staff. Romantic relationships within the workplace are not illegal, but because they can blur the lines of professionalism at work, some employers may be concerned about the effect that these relationships can have on the workplace. Should they be b ..read more

Many workers have previously been prevented from taking a second job or having outside income by their employment contract, which usually seeks to protect an employer’s business interests. This might include clauses that protect confidential information or knowledge of customer and supplier contracts. Now, the Government plans to remove exclusivity clauses in contracts for low-income workers following the publication of its responses to an earlier consultation. Under the exclusivity terms for workers legislation, which will be introduced “in due course”, employers will no longer be able to enf ..read more

Discrimination and harassment in the workplace can be difficult and complex issues for employers to navigate. It is important to understand the legal implications of discrimination and harassment claims and the steps that should be taken to address these issues. Types of discrimination and harassment First, it is important to understand the different types of discrimination and harassment that are prohibited by law. Discrimination can occur on the basis of: Disability Gender reassignment Marriage and civil partnership Pregnancy and maternity Race Religion or belief Sex Sexual orientation Pre ..read more

If you are thinking about buying a new build house, there are several aspects of the conveyancing process you should consider. While there are many advantages to purchasing a new build, there are also some drawbacks you should be aware of before going through with the decision. You can choose an independent solicitor You don’t have to use a solicitor that the builder recommends and are free to choose your own. House builders will often suggest a certain company of solicitors to carry out the conveyancing process, but you are free to choose an independent solicitor which will ensure there is no ..read more

We recognise the challenges posed by the cost-of-living crisis to you as an employer, and to your employees. The cost-of-living crisis is still dominating many conversations in the workplace with many employees looking for another source of income, opportunities to work from home to save on travel costs or a pay rise. As an employer, what can you do to ensure you are paying fairly and supporting your employees? How can you support your staff? You have a responsibility to review your employees’ wages in line with National Minimum Wage. When setting salaries, you may also want to take into consi ..read more

An employment contract serves as the foundation of the working relationship between employers and employees, outlining each party’s rights, responsibilities, and expectations. A well-drafted contract helps prevent misunderstandings, protects your business interests and reduces the likelihood of employment disputes. Clear job description and duties A comprehensive job description sets expectations and helps to establish the boundaries of an employee’s role. This ensures both parties understand the responsibilities and duties associated with the position. It should include specific tasks, report ..read more

Wednesday 8 March is International Women’s Day. This year’s theme is ‘Embrace Equity’. We’re taking a closer look at what this means and how you can play a part in creating change. What does ‘Embrace Equity’ mean for the workplace? Employers should strive to provide equal opportunities for all employees by creating a culture free from discrimination and bias. You can implement diversity and inclusion policies, flexible work arrangements, and pay equity audits to achieve this. The Equality Act makes non-discrimination a legal requirement. You must offer leadership opportunities to women and ena ..read more