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The Office for National Statistics has reported the highest rate of sickness absence in over a decade. Expect to receive more fit notes from employees. The process for issuing fit notes will be streamlined to free up GP appointments so they can focus on dealing with sick patients and those with complex medical needs. From…
There is currently a very limited legal restriction on employers moving staff or taking on new staff during industrial action. However, legislation prevents an employment business from supplying an employer with temporary workers to perform duties normally performed by a worker who is on strike or taking industrial action, or the duties normally performed by…
Last month, we reported that the law firm, Irwin Mitchell, had decided to pay most of its staff a one-off bonus of £900 to assist them with the cost of living crisis. Now, Sainsbury’s has announced that it is increasing the wages for some workers for the second time in four months, as it will…
[ READ MORE ] from The cost of living crisis: five ways employers can help their workforce
Sexual harassment can damage your business’s reputation, harm your employees’ well-being and lead to expensive litigation. How can you stop it? The Equality and Human Rights Commission has published a helpful checklist and action plan. It was developed for the hospitality industry, but you can adapt it for your workplace. What does it say? Here…
Data from the Office of National Statistics show that in May nearly a quarter of workers are hybrid working (24%), a rise of 11% from February 2022. 78% said that working from home either exclusively or in a hybrid way had improved their work-life balance. Over half said that they were less distracted (53%) and…
In Baker v House of Commons Commission, an employment tribunal held that the employer had breached its duty to make reasonable adjustments when it failed to prevent the use of a disabled employee’s modified workstation as a hot desk during her one-day absence. What happened? Ms Baker’s musculoskeletal symptoms made her disabled. Following an occupational…
[ READ MORE ] from Stopping hotdesking for a short time is a reasonable adjustment
1 Allow more time at home Your policy may require full-time employees to spend, say, two days a week in the office. Be flexible. That may not work for everyone. Disabilities may make commuting difficult for some, they may need to be close to their home bathroom or they have specialist equipment at home. Consider…
[ READ MORE ] from Five potential reasonable adjustments for hybrid workers
In April 2022, the law firm, Irwin Mitchell, decided to pay most of its staff a one-off bonus of £900 to assist them with the cost of living crisis. If you’re considering paying a bonus, this is what you should consider Reason What, when and why. Explain why you are paying the bonus. Is it…
[ READ MORE ] from A one-off bonus to help with the cost of living
The Information Commissioner’s Office has issued new guidance in light of the relaxation of government measures reminding organisations to review their approach to collecting any information to ensure that ‘it is still reasonable, fair and proportionate to the current circumstances, taking the latest government guidance into account’. You should securely dispose of any additional information…
The Government’s Living with Covid Strategy has significantly deregulated Covid-19 measures in the workplace, but employees can still bring claims connected with its risks. How can you protect your business? 1 Stay away! Be clear that employees should not attend work for at least five days if they have tested positive for Covid-19. Government public…
[ READ MORE ] from Ten practical steps to reduce work-related Covid-19 claims
No. Even if you do not follow your full formal grievance procedure, you should do something. In Base Childrenswear Ltd v Otshudi, the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) upheld a decision to award a 25% compensation uplift to reflect the employer’s unreasonable failure to comply with the code when a grievance was submitted after dismissal. So,…
[ READ MORE ] from Should you ignore a grievance from a former employee?
Yes, in certain circumstances. In Harding V Oldham College an employee who was sacked after her employer searched her bag and found illegal drugs inside has lost her claim for unfair dismissal. What happened? Zero tolerance Oldham College (O) operates a zero tolerance policy in respect of illegal drugs on its premises. Amy Harding (H)…
