You discover that an employee has a criminal record. Can you dismiss them? Job applicants must declare ‘unspent’ criminal convictions on request, but they don’t have to volunteer this information if you don’t ask for it. You should only be asking for criminal record information during the recruitment process where it has a direct bearing…
How can you effectively implement a whistleblowing procedure?
Reporting Whistleblowing is critical to quality control, risk management and good governance. Encourage workers to report wrongdoing internally rather than externally so you can deal with the matter before it escalates and damages your reputation. Having effective arrangements for reporting concerns about wrongdoing will help. Openness Create a culture where disclosers feel confident you will…
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A driver was fairly dismissed for an online Covid safety rant
In Lynch v Middlesbrough DP Ltd ET/2500981/20, an employment tribunal held that a pizza delivery driver was fairly dismissed for making serious threats to a colleague via Facebook messages. Facts Mr Lynch was a delivery driver for Domino’s Pizza (although his employer was franchisee Middlesbrough DP Ltd). At the start of the pandemic, Mr Lynch…
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The National Living Wage will rise from £8.91 to £9.50
This is an increase of 6.6%, nearly double the current cost of living increase. The national minimum wage will rise: from £8.36 an hour to £9.18 an hour for those aged 21 to 22; from £6.56 to £6.83 for those aged 18 to 20; from £4.62 to £4.81 for under 18s; and from £4.30 to…
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Amazon drivers are seeking employment rights
Leigh Day is looking for drivers, hired by third-party delivery companies, to join a potential group action against Amazon seeking employment rights. The drivers currently classed as self-employed are not entitled to the national minimum wage, holiday pay or a contract of employment. Leigh Day has begun legal action on behalf of two drivers and…
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World Menopause Day
World Menopause Day is held every year on the 18th of October. The purpose of the day is to raise awareness of menopause and the support options available for improving health and wellbeing. How can you support employees experiencing menopause? Support and encourage Promote a supportive environment so your employees feel able to talk openly…
Making flexible working the default
The government is consulting whether employees should have the statutory right to request flexible working from day one. Currently at least 26 weeks’ continuous employment is required to ask to work flexibly. The government believes this causes employers and employees to view working flexibly as a ‘perk’. It will also consider: Whether the existing eight…
Carers’ unpaid leave
The government has confirmed, following a consultation last year, that it will give employees who are also unpaid carers the right to one week’s unpaid leave per year from their first day of employment. The leave will be available to take flexibly, from half a day to a whole week. The notice period for taking…
A bungled flexible working request cost £184,961
Before consultation started on enhancing the ability to ask to work flexibly, we were reminded of the importance of correctly following the current regime. In Mrs A Thompson v Scancrown Ltd T/a Manors , a sales manager at a London estate agent was on maternity leave from October 2018 to October 2019. In August 2019,…
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Preventing sexual harassment
The government has finally responded to the consultation that it began in February 2019. It has ended where it started and plans to stand by its original proposals following the #MeToo campaign. The plan has four pillars It will introduce a new duty for employers to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace ‘as soon as…
Changes to self-isolation rules
From 16th August 2021, individuals in England no longer need to self-isolate if they are notified by NHS Test and Trace that they’ve had close contact with someone with Covid-19 and any of the following apply: They have been vaccinated with an approved Covid-19 vaccine in the UK, and at least 14 days have passed…
Dismissed worker loses coronavirus case
An employee who skipped work owing to coronavirus fears has lost his claim forunfair dismissal. Facts Leeds Laser Cutting Limited employed Mr Rodgers (R). He worked in a spacious warehouse-style room with four colleagues. On 16th March 2020 one of these colleagues displayed symptoms of coronavirus and was sent home to self-isolate. The first national…
