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What is flexible furlough? Flexible furlough allows employers to have flexibility in how and when they furlough employees. This means they can vary the times and days that employees work during a week. With flexible furlough there are no minimum hours that need to be...
On 8th June 2020, the government enforced a two-week quarantine period for anyone arriving in the UK. This included people who were traveling broad on holiday or for other purposes. Upon return to the UK people were required to self-isolate for 14 days and should:...
With the Black Lives Matter movement surging across the globe, businesses should take the impetus to look within at how they deal with inclusion within the work environment. To ensure full employee satisfaction and increases in performance any barriers around...
Unless employees are confident enough to speak out, issues like sexual harassment, discrimination, health and safety failings and unethical behaviour can be hidden in a business. Employee voice is about the people being able to communicate their views to their...
A contract of employment is a legally binding agreement between an employer and employee. In the UK, the term ‘employee’ is defined by the Employment Rights Act 1996 as an individual who has entered into or works under a contract of service or apprenticeship. In the...
The chancellor has said there will be no extension to the furlough scheme that has been in place since March 2020. He has confirmed that there will be further financial support for businesses in the form of a bonus for employers who can bring employees back to work....
Since the outbreak of coronavirus earlier this year and subsequent lockdown that was enforced in March, many companies moved overnight to homeworking. The government is now starting to ease the restrictions and are allowing more businesses to reopen, some will be...
Employee engagement is the degree to which an employee’s positive or negative feelings about their job, colleagues and company influence their willingness to learn and perform at work. Leaders play a vital role in employee engagement and their leadership style must...
The coronavirus outbreak has caused huge changes to the way we work, and left many of us without our usual support systems. Therefore, it’s more important than ever before to reflect on what keeps us well and identify how we can look after our wellbeing during this...
When was flexible furlough introduced? From 1st July the furlough scheme changed to become more flexible since it commenced in March. From 1st July employees can work part-time and be furloughed for the remaining hours of their working week. Hours of work need to be...
Do employees have the right to work from home? The current government advice is if people can work from home then they should do, however, there is no legal right for an employee to work from home, but it is advisable that any employee who can effectively work from...
Millions of people shielding from coronavirus will be advised that they can spend more time outside their homes from Monday 6th July. People who have been shielding for the last 3 months remain vulnerable and are advised to still take precautions. However, the...
In an increasingly online world, many people ask: `Do I still need a CV?’ Clover HR believe the answer is `Yes.’ A CV is not only helpful but necessary. CV is an abbreviation for the Latin for ‘course of life’, i.e. experience. Which is what a potential employer is...
Unfortunately, due to the coronavirus pandemic and the shrunken economy, redundancies are likely to happen across the UK. Under UK law if an employer is dismissing 20 or more people due to redundancy then they must consult with representatives of affected employees in...
Flexibility is being able to adjust to short term change quickly and calmly so that unexpected problems or tasks can be dealt with effectively. Companies who allow flexible working and have a positive approach to flexibility can be more versatile, resilient, and...
Father’s day is a day of honouring fatherhood and paternal bonds, as well as the influence of fathers in society. Father’s day is celebrated this year on Sunday 21st June. Fathers as a whole are much more involved in raising their children than they have historically...
Creating an Effective CV In this changing world and during these unprecedented times, it is more important than ever to have a strong CV, highlighting your skills and experience to maximum effect. So Clover HR have put together a few ideas as to how to create an...
The NHS test and trace service is part of the government’s coronavirus recovery plan. The service provides: Testing for those with symptoms; The ability to get in touch with anyone who has a positive result to help share information on any close contact they have had...
The UK strives to promote equality in the workplace. Organisations have a responsibility to ensure that no person is treated differently because of their race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity status,...
Men’s Health Week raises awareness of health issues and getting men to become more aware of these health issues. This year Men’s Health Week runs from 15th-21st June 2020. How can work affect health? Good employee health is good for business; many hours are spent...
WHAT IS FLEXIBLE FURLOUGH? The new flexible furlough scheme starts on 1st July 2020. Under this scheme employees no longer need to avoid doing any work for the employer and they can work for part of the week and be furloughed for the rest of the week, in...
A 2-week quarantine period for anyone arriving in the UK was enforced from 8th June 2020. This includes people who travel abroad on holiday or for business travel. Upon their return to the UK people will be required to self-isolate for 14 days. When returning to the...
For many, working from home has become the new norm and the change in working habits can be a lot to take in. Over the last few months’ video calling has rocketed both from a professional and personal perspective, but how do you prepare for a professional virtual...
It is expected that at least a quarter of UK employers will make some form of redundancies as a result of the current pandemic. The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) was implemented to avoid businesses making redundancies as a result of the current pandemic,...
What is Redundancy? Redundancy is a special form of dismissal which happens when an employer needs to reduce the size of its workforce. In the UK, an employee is dismissed for redundancy if: The employer has ceased (or intends to cease) continuing the business, or;...
Employers have a duty of care to take steps to ensure the health and safety and welfare of all their employees. Businesses that employ more than five people are legally obliged to have a written health and safety policy or statement which is circulated and available...
As a small business owner, you will wear many hats, balancing varying responsibilities and demands. Managing health and safety arrangements does not have to be complicated, but should always be a priority, as the cost of breaching health and safety could be severe....
What is Dismissal? Dismissal is the termination of employment by an employer against the will of the employee. Any dismissal that occurs must be shown to have followed a fair procedure. When to dismiss an employee? Dismissal is normally deemed fair only if you...
Why have a disciplinary policy and procedure? However great a workforce you may have, no business is immune to unexpected issues around conduct arising which can lead to a disciplinary procedure needing to be enacted. There is a requirement for a statutory minimum...
What you need to consider before setting up your business You have a great idea for a business but don’t know where to start? Firstly, solidify your business idea by creating a business plan. Your aim with this business plan should be that anyone could pick it up and...
The government have confirmed that the UK furlough scheme will finish at the end of October 2020. They are slowly withdrawing the expensive support programme trying not to crash the economy. The government are hoping that the withdrawal process with be mirrored by...
Under the UK’s current guidance for getting employees back into the workplace following the coronavirus outbreak, one of the measures is for businesses to introduce staggered hours. The idea is this would reduce the number of people travelling at any one time,...
Statutory Sick Pay Repayments Employers may be able to use the Coronavirus Statutory Rebate Scheme to claim back employee’s coronavirus related Statutory Sick Pay (SSP). This rebate scheme will repay employers SSP that has been paid to current or former employees. Who...
Please find the latest furlough update below for you. A summary of the main points: 10 June 2020 will be the last day that employers can place employees on furlough. from 1 July, 'flexible furlough' is being introduced, meaning employees will be able to work part-time...
With homeworking likely to continue for many people over the coming months, what are the implications for businesses with employees working from home over a sustained period of time? Outlined below are some contractual and legal considerations; Review homeworking...
Coping with Anxiety The government are now encouraging employers and employees to agree working arrangements for employees to return to work. More than two-fifths of UK workers are anxious about the prospect of returning to work following the outbreak of coronavirus,...
The coronavirus outbreak is having a devastating impact on the construction industry. Most businesses in the industry are doing their best to keep sites operational wherever it is practical and safe to do so. The construction industry has played a key role during...
To help limit the spread of the coronavirus within the UK, and as part of easing lockdown measures, millions of people will soon be asked to track their movements via an app on their smartphone. What is contact tracing? Contact Tracing aims to identify and alert...
The Government today published guidance on returning safely to work from Wednesday this week Work from home, if you can All reasonable steps should be taken by employers to help people work from home. But for those who cannot you should go to work. Staff should speak...
Research by People Management has found that half of employees working from home during the current lockdown situation are unhappy with their work-life balance, with the majority of those surveyed putting in longer and more irregular hours than they would under normal...
With the UK still in lockdown due to COVID-19, many businesses and employees are settling into a routine of working from home. To keep in touch with employees, customers and suppliers, many businesses and individuals have moved to online video platforms to engage,...
The government has drafted an initial guidance on how UK companies may be able to reopen their workplaces and gradually exit lockdown. The draft document includes a range of guidelines for businesses to follow, covering additional health and safety and wellbeing...
Two out of three employers believe that return-to-work interviews have cut employee absence rates, so are you doing yours right? What is a return to work interview and why is it important? A return to work interview is generally a short, informal meeting held with an...
The speed, by necessity, of the introduction of Job Retention Scheme continues to leave many questions unanswered. However one area that was clarified by a press release and posted on the daily update from Gov.UK on the 24th April was regarding pay for employees...
At present we do not know how long the current “stay at home” instruction will last. However, the longer the current situation remains, the more likely it is that employers will have to adapt normal working practices and workplace procedures to embrace a more virtual...
Further updates containing more detail regarding this scheme continue to be published on a regular basis. Please note some of the following headline points that are addressed, with more detail on the following points than previously communicated, within these updates....
The Care Home Sector is experiencing its own unique set of circumstances as the country manages through the COVID-19 outbreak. In response to this we have put together some specific details a Care Home should consider to ensure protection of both its staff and...
When the government first launched the furlough scheme eligible employees had to be on the employer’s PAYE payroll on 28 February 2020. This payroll date has now been extended to 19 March 2020. As a result we have tried to answer some questions that you may have...
So, as we start another week, that looks so very different to our lives just a couple of weeks ago, the purpose of this guide is to provide a roundup of furloughing and all the associated questions that arise. Whilst it is a non-exhaustive list we hope that it will...
We understand that the Claims for Furlough mechanism will be open from 20 April 2020 but you need to be ready! The government’s initial announcement implied that the claim mechanism would be a simple online form. This may still be the case. However, the form can...
Although many employees have now been placed on furlough, many remain working in these difficult times. It is not always possible, given the diverse nature of roles and businesses for many employees to work from home. Therefore, we have collated a few key points to...
The Treasury Select Committee met remotely on Wednesday 8 April to take evidence from HMRC on the economic impact of coronavirus. The witnesses were Jim Harra, First Permanent Secretary and Chief Executive of HMRC, and Cerys McDonald, Director of HMRC’s COVID-19...
As we approach the Easter weekend and a further two bank holidays in May, all during the period of the job retention scheme, we have collated a few points for you to consider. Does Holiday continue to accrue during furlough? Yes, as employees remain employed during...
The Chancellor announced that “a new Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme” would be set up to help pay people’s wages. Employers will be able to contact HMRC for a grant to cover most of the wages of their workforce who are on the payroll but temporarily not working due...
The coronavirus outbreak is having an impact on all of our daily lives, as the government take necessary steps to manage the outbreak. To date government guidelines include social distancing and staying at home for all but essential travel. In addition to measures...
Unsurprisingly, changes caused to employment law and the employment relationship as a result of Coronavirus have dominated the news this month. However, there are also other changes due to take place in April. We have summarised below some of the key issues that...
During these unprecedented times Clover HR want to provide you with as much support and advice as we possibly can. This is an ever evolving situation for employers. Therefore please ensure that you keep up to date with Government Guidelines or seek direct advice from...
During these unprecedented times Clover HR want to provide you with as much support and advice as we possibly can. As such we have put together a Frequently Asked Questions and Answers sheet, which we will be adding to on a regular basis. Rest assured we are here to...
The Chancellor announced that “a new Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme” would be set up to help pay people’s wages. Employers will be able to contact HMRC for a grant to cover most of the wages of their workforce who are on the payroll but temporarily not working due...
Emergency Leave Employees are allowed to take time off work to deal with an emergency involving a dependant. A dependant could be a spouse, partner, child, grandchild, parent, or someone who depends on you for care. Employers should grant a reasonable amount of time...
Everyone chooses to celebrate Mother's Day in their own way, from son’s or daughter’s preparing their mum a much-deserved breakfast in bed, to older children treating their mum to special gift or event. The origins of this event are stooped in different historical...
Introduction Where a business does not have formal home working arrangements in place for employees but is now faced with the need to put such arrangements in place quickly and expediently, they will need to consider a range of issues to allow this to happen...
Short-time Working The impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is placing businesses of all sizes under unprecedented strain and pressure. The rapid and drastic reduction in demand or lost business is forcing employers to consider drastic action to reduce...
As of 1st February 2020 the UK is no longer a member of the European Union (EU), and is now in an implementation period (also referred to as a transitional period) as part of the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement. What does this mean? During the implementation period the UK...
Wettest ever February and more flood warnings remain – Advice for Employers The Stats A total of 75 flood warnings are still in place for England and Wales. The Met Office confirmed last month was the wettest February on record. The UK averaged 209.1mm of rain last...
Statutory Parental Bereavement Leave will come into force on 6 April 2020 - are you ready for the change? Losing a baby or child is a devastating experience, therefore in order to provide parents and primary carers with greater support during these difficult period,...
Coronavirus is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. The government advise the risk to individuals in the UK remains low. To date (18th February), nine patients in England have tested positive for coronavirus. Worldwide the coronavirus has infected...
There is no doubt that flexible working is on the rise, and therefore it is increasingly important for line managers to be comfortable in managing employees in various locations. With advances in technology making remote working more accessible, and Gallup reporting...
Employees are often reluctant to changes within the workplace, especially those with considerable service where they only see one way of doing a job and no variation will ever be good enough to the original method of operation. However, to be a business that can...
Whether it something you realise or not, all companies have an employer brand – it’s essentially the company’s reputation and what people think of you as an employer. The CIPD define employer brand as; ‘a set of attributes and qualities, often intangible, that makes...
If you want to succeed, you need to set goals. Without goals you lack focus and direction. Goal setting…provides you a benchmark for determining whether you are actually succeeding. (source: Mind Tools) Setting goals for employees Setting goals helps employees to stay...
From time to time people become ill and invariably need time off to recover from illnesses. Understanding the reason and the causes of the absence is key to ensuring that the employer acts in a reasonable and fair manner, and uses the appropriate procedure to manage...
New to interviewing? Need a refresher? Here are some tips that just might help……. The purpose of an interview is to find the most suitable candidate for a particular job vacancy. In preparing the job advertisement, the job description/role profile will have been...
With the festive season fast approaching and Christmas parties already planned as a celebration to reward the hard work of your employees, now is a good time for employers to think about the problems that might arise at these events and the provisions that should be...
Millennials are individuals born between 1981 to 1996. They are also known as Generation Y. Millennials are the current workforce. They are responsible for driving your organisation’s agenda. 43% of Millennials expect and are more likely to change their current job in...
The Court of Appeal recently ruled in the Brazel v The Harpur Trust case that holiday pay for ‘term time’ workers should be calculated using their average earnings over a 12 week period and not-pro-rated. Mrs Brazel was a visiting music teacher employed by The Harpur...
What is Movember? Originating in Australia in 2003, Movember has become a huge fundraising initiative for men’s health. Movember aims to raise awareness for men’s health issues such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health. Each November men grow...
Raising productivity through employee engagement Employee engagement looks at the way organisations interact with employees to improve employee happiness in the workplace. This can include things such as; how employees work with others; their behaviour in the...
Lifestyle Benefits; creating an employee benefits package that attracts and retains talent Through the development of technology the working week is no longer your typical 9am to 5pm. Research by YouGov highlights only 6% of employees are working these traditional...
21st October is Apple Day in the United Kingdom. Apple day is an opportunity to remind us of the benefits of eating healthily. With that in mind here are some tips to help you eat a healthier diet and make healthier choices. Eat lots of fruit and vegetables Data from...
Tips for Attracting and Recruiting Top Talent in a Candidate-Driven Market With reports in August from the CIPD and the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showing that the employment market is remaining steady as a candidate-driven market, what does this mean for...
70 million workdays are lost each year to mental health problems in the UK, costing employers an estimated £2.4 billion annually [1]. Mental health problems can interfere with employees’ well-being and their job performance. Mental Health problems include anxiety,...
Understanding the benefits of wellbeing in the workplace may help your company flourish. Improving wellbeing in the workplace can help your employees feel more comfortable, healthier, happier and overall less stressed. Enhanced wellbeing can increase employee...
What is a probationary period? A probationary period is a contractual period of time at the start of an employment contract between a new employee and an organisation. During the probationary period the employee can be exempt from some contractual rights, e.g....
Neurodiversity In The Workplace Neurodiversity refers to the different ways the brain can work and interpret information. It is estimated that around 1 in 7 people are neurodivergent; they function, learn and process information differently to the way society...
How will Brexit affect employment now and in the future? It is not now clear if the UK will leave the European Union on 31st October 2019 or what will follow thereafter. This is an uncertain time for us all, including employers in UK, their EU National employees and...
Gig Workers – a case law update We recently had another instalment in the 8 year legal drama of Pimlico Plumbers Ltd and Another v Smith. This case began in 2011 and the arguments brought were over whether Gary Smith, a “self employed” plumber, was entitled to the...
DISABILITY IN THE WORKPLACE Under the Equalities Act 2010 the definition of a disability in relation to employment law is defined as: “a physical or mental impairment that has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ negative effect on your ability to do normal daily...
Many organisations have made huge strides in supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) employees and creating an inclusive workplace. However, many LGBT people in the UK still choose not to disclose their sexuality at work. The fear of homophobia,...
Aggravated Breach Compensation Rises to a Maximum of £20,000 from £5,000 section 16 of the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013, introducing section 12A into the Employment Tribunals Act 1996. What is an Aggravated Breach? An Aggravated breach is a legal term...
Last week our HR Director Sara Hope had the pleasure of judging an 'art competition' that was kindly sponsored by Heartbeat Manufacturing Ltd in Redditch for a local school. The children were asked to produce a World War II portrait and Katie Butler (P.A to the MD)...
Investigations: The Role of the Investigation Officer is Key All Employers have situations where an Employee misbehaves or becomes comfortable and complacent in their employment or the role that they do. On these occasions things may occur that require addressing via...
What is presenteeism? Presenteeism is working: when you are ill excessive hours with a reluctance to take time off. Presenteeism is an accelerating trend in the U.K. The CIPD/Simplyhealth Health and Well-being at Work survey states that Presenteeism more than tripled...
Since 2017, any business with over 250 employees must report on the difference in average earnings between men and women. The reporting deadline for this year was 4th April 2019 and we now have data to allow a comparison on last years’ figures. The news is not what...
The success of an office move requires good planning, co-ordination and a strong project team to drive it through. Never underestimate the amount of time you need to plan and execute the relocation. The first step is to engage with your stakeholders and form your...
Resilience is a word frequently used in the workplace today. But what does it really mean and how can it be effectively harnessed? Resilience means to be robust and to be able to recover from difficult situations. How can HR teams better equip themselves to be more...
Father’s Day is celebrated internationally to recognise fathers’ and father figures’ contributions to their children’s lives. It provides an opportunity to honour our fathers and it also allows us a moment to reflect on the role of today’s working fathers and their...
Decide what type of care you can give. Are you a Nursing or Residential establishment? Staff your establishment accordingly for safe practice. Recruit Staff that meet your ethos: staff that want to give Client Centred Care, which means running the home and client care...
The end of May 2019 marks a year since the EU General Data Protection Regulations came into force. This legislation was due to have a significant impact on businesses that process data. When talking about ‘processing data’, and ‘collecting’ data – this is something...
This past week the BBC has had the spotlight on that difficult subject of the Menopause, this prompted me to think about my own experience in going through what everybody commonly called “The Change”. At a time in your life as a woman you are supposed to be “in your...
