The Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act came into effect on 26th October 2024. Its intention is to create safer working environments for all Employees, by placing the onus on Employers to proactively prevent occurrences of sexual harassment at work. This marks a shift from the historical approach of responding to incidents and
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Ready For The Right To ‘Switch Off’?
The UK Labour Party’s ‘Right to Switch Off’ proposal was first introduced in King Charles’ speech in July 2024, and it will form part of the Employment Rights Bill. The plan is to adopt a similar system to our European counterparts, which prevents working from home from turning into a 24/7 operation. Alongside other initiatives,
Click here to read moreConsidering Bodycams At Work?
Businesses and retailers have seen many shifts since the COVID-19 pandemic, but one that stands out is an uptick in violent behaviour towards Employees. This is causing concern for some Employers, who see their Employees, customers and property being at greater risk. In August 2024, the coffee shop chain Pret a Manger announced that some
Click here to read moreWorkation: Blending Work With Rest?
Following the pandemic lockdowns of 2020 and 2021, and the curtailment of most international travel, many of us engaged in staycations when we wanted a break away from it all. We’re all familiar with the portmanteau ‘staycation’ (‘stay’ + ‘vacation’ – a stay in one’s own town or close to home), but have you heard
Click here to read moreA Labour Government – What Can Employers Expect?
The Labour Party saw a landslide victory in the 2024 UK General Election, assuming Government again after an absence of 14 years. ‘A New Deal for Working People’, the plan by the Labour Party that was released on 24 May 2024, outlined reforms and legislative changes it intended to bring about within its first 100
Click here to read moreUK General Election 2024 – Proposed Employment Law Reforms
The UK’s general election is due to take place on 4th July 2024. This month, we’ll look at the proposed Employment Law plans and reforms set out by the two leading political parties in the race for No. 10 – the Conservative Party and the Labour Party. Please note that this blog will not analyse
Click here to read moreEmployer, Heal Thyself: Managing Employer Stress
As an Employer, you know that you are responsible for the health, safety and well-being of your Employees. However, when you are busy running day-to-day operations and ensuring your Employees have all they need to be effective, it can be easy to forget about, and even neglect your own well-being. Excessive pressures and demands in
Click here to read moreDifficult Conversations At Work
Difficult conversations at work are inevitable. Most people prefer to avoid conflict. In the workplace, this type of avoidance can look like; failing to address someone’s inappropriate behaviour; refusing to discuss poor performance; or not drawing necessary boundaries with colleagues, for example. The longer a difficult conversation is avoided, the worse the matter often becomes.
Click here to read moreNew Flexible Working Laws – Considerations for Employers
‘Flexible Working’ is the term that refers to working patterns, arrangements, or hours. Examples include part-time, flexi-time, compressed hours, adjusted start and finish times, and alternative work locations such as working from home. Flexible working has historically been of particular benefit to Employees with caring responsibilities outside of work, or health issues. The UK Government
Click here to read moreSickness, Fit Notes And The Small Business
Levels of long-term sickness in the UK are at a record high. In May 2023, the Office of National Statistics (ONS) reported that for every 13 people currently working,1 person is on long-term sickness absence from the workforce. The ONS commented that the underlying causes for the record levels of sickness was a rise in
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