Employee absence is a significant cost for many businesses, yet research suggests that only a minority of employers monitor that cost. Apart from annual holiday entitlement, an employee may need time off for the following reasons: Short term or long term sickness,...
Category:
Employment Law
All you need to know about Adoption, Surrogacy and Maternity leave
Sometimes it can all seem a bit of a minefield for employers when it comes to statutory rights to time off for parents. With a variety of “options” and certain rules regarding notice to be given; it is always wise to sense check the latest government regulations....
Mothering Sunday – 14th March 2021
What is Mother’s Day? Mother’s Day is a day for daughters and sons to celebrate their Mothers. In the UK traditionally, it is called Mothering Sunday, this is the religious name, the day is related to Easter, as Mothering Sunday always falls on the fourth Sunday...
Employment Law Changes 2021
There are several changes to UK Employment Law occurring in 2021, these include the following: End to the Furlough Scheme As announced prior to Christmas, the furlough scheme that was due to end on 31st March 2021, was extended for one month, so it is now expected to...
Unlawful Deduction of Wages
An unlawful deduction of wages occurs when an employee has either been unpaid or has been underpaid their wages by their employer for some reason. There must have been an actual deduction of wages, not just a threat or proposal to deduct money, for it to be classed as...
Job Support Scheme Update – October 2020
On the 22nd October 2020 the chancellor announced changes to the Job Support Scheme (JSS) which is replacing the furlough scheme in November 2020. The changes mean that employers will pay less and employees can work fewer hours to qualify for the scheme. Job Support...
Changes to Employment Tribunal Rules
The Government have amended the Employment Tribunal Rules of Procedure to increase the capacity of employment tribunals to hear claims. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there is a backlog in the administration of Employment Tribunal Claims leading to lengthy delays in...
The Online Right to Work Checking Service
The government has an easy to use system for checking someone’s eligibility to work in the UK which can be accessed via www.gov.uk/legal-right-work-uk. Employers can use this service to find out: Which type of documents give someone the right to work in the UK; What...
A Guide To Managing Redundancies
Have a redundancy plan Having a redundancy plan allows businesses to share information with their employees and help them to understand what is happening which makes it crucial to managing redundancies. The plan will help to manage each stage of the redundancy process...
Flexible Furlough Scheme Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
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...
Guidance on Shielding Employees
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...
Equal Opportunities
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,...
The Redundancy Process
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;...
Dismissing an Employee – What Employers Need to Know
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...
Disciplinary Procedure Steps – A Detailed Overview Of The Process
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...
Statutory Sick Pay Repayments
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...
Conducting a Disciplinary Hearing Remotely – Things to Consider.
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 To The Job Retention Scheme – 20th April 2020
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....
JOB RETENTION SCHEME UPDATE -15TH APRIL 2020
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...
Update – FAQ from Employers Relating to the Job Retention Scheme
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...
How Do I Protect My Workers?
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...
MP’s Question HMRC on Scope of Job Retention Scheme
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...
THE JOB RETENTION SCHEME IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 (UPDATED AS AT 4/4/20)
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...
Employment Law Changes – April 2020
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...
Absence Guidelines – COVID-19
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...
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for Businesses – Relating to COVID-19
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 Job Retention Scheme In Response T0 COVID-19
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...
Finding your way through Brexit as a HR Professional
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...
Statutory Parental Bereavement Leave
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,...
The Implications of The Harpur Trust vs Brazel Case on Term Time only Holiday Pay Calculations
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...
Gig Workers – A Case Law Update
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...
Equal Pay = Equal Value
Earlier this year the Court of appeal upheld a decision from the Employment Appeal Tribunal which will allow Asda store workers to compare themselves to warehouse workers in their on-going long running equal pay dispute. This will enable over 5,000 employees, both...
April Showers
As we approach the month of April, let’s give some reminders of employment law changes that are shortly to come into effect and might have an impact on your business, briefly; Be aware of second gender pay gap reporting deadlines that apply if you employ 250 or more...
Employment Legislation 2019 and beyond.
From gender pay gap reporting and the introduction of GDPR regulations, 2018 was a busy year in employment law. Amidst the domination of the uncertain Brexit, we have produced a brief summary of some of the changes that you need to be aware of and some to plan for...