Support now available until 31st March 2021 The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, announced today that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (more commonly known as the furlough scheme) is be extended again until the 31st March 2021.  This mean that from the 1st November the UK Government will fund 80% of a furloughed worker's pay up to £2500 per month, which makes it more generous than the furlough scheme in September and October when the employer had to contribute 10% and 20% of the pay. The employer will only have to cover the Employer National Insurance and Employer Pension contributions.&nbs ..read more

Employees to receive 100% of pay not reduced furlough rate Employees must have 2 or more years' service to be eligible for redundancy pay.  When calculating redundancy pay this is based on an employee's 'normal pay'.  For salaried employees and those who have fixed hours and pay each month this is straightforward, and for those who's hours and pay fluctuate, an average pay over their last 12 weeks' pay is calculated.  On the 31st July 2020 legislation was introduced to address the issue around some employers treating the furlough rate of pay as 'normal pay', thereby reducing em ..read more

For business open but trading negatively affected by COVID  Today’s announcement significantly reduces the employer contribution to those unworked hours to just 5%, and reduces the minimum hours requirements to 20%, so those working five days a week will only need to work one day to be eligible.  Open businesses which are experiencing considerable difficulty will be given extra help to keep staff on as government increases contribution to wage costs under the Job Support Scheme (JSS), and business contributions drop to 5%. The JSS starts to operate from 1 November and covers all o ..read more

More support available when furlough scheme ends A new Job Support Scheme will be introduced from 1 November to help protect jobs in businesses who are facing lower demand over the winter months due to coronavirus. The scheme will run for six months and help keep employees in the workforce.  The government will contribute towards the wages of employees who are working fewer than normal hours due to decreased demand. Employers will continue to pay the wages of employees for the hours they work - but for the hours not worked, the government and the employer will each pay one third of th ..read more

What you need to know about changes to current procedures To reduce pressure on doctors, particularly GPs, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) have proposed that nurses, occupational therapists, pharmacists and physiotherapists should be able to certify and issue fit notes. For anyone who has been off work with illness for more than seven days, a fit note provides evidence to their employer about the absence and any relevant advice on how to support the employee to remain in or return to work. The new rules came into force from 1 Ju ..read more

Make sure that the HR1 Form is completed When making redundancies of more than 20, the HR1 Form must be completed and returned to the Redundancy Payments Service (RPS) which then distributes the information to various government departments so that support can be provided to individuals facing redundancy.   Advance notification of potential redundancies is required from employers. The timings relate to the collective consultation periods, therefore if you are making between 20 and 99 redundancies the employer must submit the HR1 Form at least 30 days prior to the first dismissal b ..read more

Find out why it is important to formalise job roles in family-run businesses. Recent cases have highlighted the importance of clearly identifying the role of company directors in family-run businesses. In instances where employees have wanted to make claims against businesses, the first step by the judge is to determine the person’s employment status. If there is a lack of documentation supporting the employee’s role in the company, no matter what their role or relationship with others in the organisation, this leaves them vulnerable and often unable to make claims against the business. The ..read more

What to do when employees have been furloughed without completing probationary periods There will be some employees that will not have completed their probationary periods before going onto furlough, meaning employers need to decide if employees’ probationary periods should be paused, or if they have passed the period whilst on furlough. Probationary periods are an opportunity for both employer and employee to consider if the employee is a good fit for the role and organisation.  If a large portion of that time has been on furlough it is going to be difficult for both the employer and e ..read more

Here we look at the risk assessments needed, and what is expected of an employer if significant risk is identified, whilst looking at the considerations needed relating to COVID.  It is important to take into consideration workplace conditions and ever-changing working environments and pregnancy stages for pregnant workers. Here we look at the risk assessments needed, and what is expected of an employer if significant risk is identified, whilst looking at the considerations needed relating to COVID.   Risk assessments for pregnant workers less than 26 weeks pregnant All pregnant worke ..read more

Your role as a line manager is vital to the working environment of your organisation. Read our latest blog to find out how to be an effective line manager. Line managers have the biggest influence upon work morale and employees experience’s within the work place. Improving the wellbeing of their own and of their employees aids to benefitting the whole organisation and higher achievements for the company. This is what makes a line manager’s role so important. Here are some key factors to consider if wanting to be an effective line manager for your organisation: Positive approach. It is a lin ..read more