Following the New Year, employers are now thinking about the year ahead. As well as having to continue to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic on top of the usual concerns of running a business, there is the additional bank holiday to consider this year and we have already had questions...

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...

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...

There is some confusion both in the news, and amongst business owners about what the situation is concerning so called “self-employed” staff, and the minimum wage, and paid holidays. While the legal test is a little more complicated, (only a little) there is a simple scenario which will help employers...

We have already received enquiries from employers asking whether they can insist on employees being vaccinated against Covid-19 and either not employing or dismissing those who refuse. There is not currently any legal requirement for people to have the Covid-19 vaccination, and we would be surprised if it became mandatory....

England and Scotland have returned to lockdown today, with the instruction being given that those who can should work from home. Also those who are clinically extremely vulnerable should shield again. As a reminder, the furlough scheme is still available although if businesses are furloughing staff they must have this...