New rules, known as Plan B come into effect on this coming Monday. That is, work from home where you can. Wear face masks except where it is impractical to do so. It’s easy to complain that we are once again left to interpret ambiguous rules but we probably all...

In the week that we have National Shred Day, we’re receiving reports of the Information Commissioner’s Office upholding a complaint against an employer who failed to dispose of sensitive data securely where an employee was working from home. This is a reminder to all employers who now allow homeworking to...

BOUNCE BACK LOANS FOR SEX WORKERS AND INDIRECT SEX DISCRIMINATION This matter is being highlighted to remind businesses that sex discrimination can arise in many ways, without it ever being the intention. We will try to avoid the puerile humour which can place “bounce back” and “sex worker” in the same...

Covid unlocking. How do employers handle this when its recommendations rather than rules? This week we see an end to the general restrictions which have been gradually melting away over the past months. However you personally feel about it, the approach of using recommendations rather than rules leaves a certain...

Employers should be aware that the contributions they are required to make under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (commonly known as furlough) change from next month. This change in contributions was part of the Chancellor’s announcement in March when the furlough scheme was extended. From 1 July, employers will be...

The BBC have reported that the government has deliberately left vague whether staff can be placed on furlough during self-isolation. We offer no opinion on whether this is deliberate, but confirm it is vague. In order to try to offer clarity, we believe the situation is as follows: It is...

Being an employment lawyer, one realizes that occasionally we are in a privileged position, sharing in times of crisis, as well as times of great stress for business owners and employees alike. To this end we experience the best and worst of human behaviour. Downright low-down cruelty, and sometimes the...

The IR35 regulations have been around for some time but until this year only applied to the public sector. From 6 April 2021 the IR35 off payroll working rules have been extended into the private sector and we have seen an increase in clients seeking advice over the last few...

A brief reminder of forthcoming increases to the National Minimum Wage and other employment rates From 1 April 2021, the National Minimum Wage increases as follows: Rates 2020 2021 National Living Wage (now age 23+) £8.72 £8.91 Adult rate (now age 21-22) £8.20 £8.36 Development rate (age 18-20) £6.45 £6.56...

As of 1stApril the clinically extremely vulnerable are not required to shield and are no longer entitled to SSP for doing so. The letter being sent out by the Department of Health and Social Care advises that the rules of lockdown continue to apply, and that employers are obliged to...