As the clock ticks down to the office Christmas party, companies need to avoid the event becoming the wrong sort of cracker. Any company-organised office christmas party, whether in or out of working hours and on or off site, is an extension of the workplace which can test a business across the board on its…
Holiday pay for those who work only part of the year and have no contractually set hours should not be calculated on a pro rata basis, under a judgement that will affect many in the education sector. The Court of Appeal has ruled in The Harper Trust v Brazel that part-year workers are entitled to have statutory…
Restaurateurs and other hospitality sector businesses should not bank on Brexit delaying the Government’s plans for legislation designed to deal with tipping protocols. In December last year the Government said it would introduce legislation as soon as possible to stop employers making deductions from tips and gratuities, including any so-called ‘administration’ charges which are often…
We all see things at work that we think, “Maybe that’s not the best way to do things.” However, it’s quite a leap from that point to becoming a full-on whistleblower. When things go past the ‘that’s not right’ stage and verge on the illegal, immoral, or just downright inept, then who steps up to…
Employers are being advised to review their support for women experiencing problems in the workplace because of the menopause or risk compensation claims, following an employment tribunal ruling. Menopause in the workplace Mandy Davies had an unblemished 20 year service record, but was sacked by the Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service (SCTS) following an incident that…
If you work full time in the UK, you are entitled to at least 28 days of paid annual leave, including the eight bank holidays. However, for parents of school-age children, the numbers don’t quite add up. First of all, there are all of those weeks at half-term. Next, there are the Easter and Christmas…
June is Pride month, when the LGBTQ+ community celebrates with a series of events. It’s a joyful and fun time, but it’s also a protest – there are still battles to be fought, especially when it comes to discrimination in the workplace. Nobody should be made to feel uncomfortable because of their sexual orientation whether…
Two recent tribunal claims highlight the challenge for employers in safely navigating personal expression by employees in the workplace. A hospital nurse who discussed her Christian views with patients, offering a bible to one and advising another that his survival prospects would be improved if he prayed to God, was fairly dismissed for improper proselytising,…
For the shareholding directors of many privately-owned companies, the end-game is focused on selling the company before moving on to new ventures or sometimes retirement. But many owners under-estimate the time involved in making a business market-ready, or do not seek advice on the different options before they start, nor the route-map to follow to…