Figures recently released by the Office for National Statistics show that, musculoskeletal problems (including back pain, neck and upper limb problems etc) were responsible for 28.2 million days lost to sickness in 2017. The figures were higher for men at 28% of days lost compared to 18.4% for women. Musculoskeletal problems can often be a result of poor manual handling … Read More

The National Minimum Wage has been the focus of many legal cases recently, with everything from sleep-in shifts and whistleblowing, to national naming and shaming for firms failing to pay the NMW. With so much going on, it can be easy to lose track of what you need to be aware of, and what the latest ruling is. So, here … Read More

A recent report by the TUC found that over half of UK workers believe they are being monitored by a senior member of staff at work. What form does surveillance take? Technology can now be deployed for monitoring in a variety of different ways. Digital monitoring includes techniques such as location tracking, CCTV, facial recognition, social media monitoring, and keyboard … Read More

A designer whose role was changed after her employer became concerned about her anxiety disorder, has won claims for disability discrimination and failure to make reasonable adjustment at her place of work. Jenna Frost, who had suffered from anxiety throughout her life, worked as a senior designer at Colchester-based Retail Design Solutions from April 2014. The tribunal heard that her … Read More

Last year we reported how the Sentencing Council for England and Wales had launched a consultation on proposals on how offenders convicted of manslaughter should be sentenced in England and Wales. New guidelines, to be used from 1st November 2018, have now been launched. The guidelines cover different types of manslaughter, (manslaughter by unlawful act, gross negligence, loss of control, … Read More

July saw the second round of NMW (National Minimum Wage) naming and shaming. With it came another 22,400 employees receiving back pay, as well as a further £8.4 million in fines to pay to the Government, with some firms not having paid minimum wage correctly for over 6 years! The fact we have seen a second round of ‘naming and … Read More

It is essential to have a medical report for an employee if you’re considering dismissing for capability reasons or looking at whether an employee has a disability and therefore requires reasonable adjustments at work. Medical reports can be obtained from a doctor, or from Occupational Health, but it’s sensitive information and GDPR provides extra protections for sensitive data. Obtaining a … Read More

October 2018: Childcare Voucher Scheme From 4th October 2018, childcare voucher salary-sacrifice schemes will close to all new applicants. Existing users will still be able to receive vouchers providing: You stay with the same employer and they continue to run the scheme You do not take an unpaid career break of longer than a year The new tax-free childcare scheme … Read More

Many employers that fund training insist on reimbursement if the employee leaves within a certain period. With the right agreement this is perfectly legal, but what must you not do if the employee then goes on maternity leave? Protecting your assets Whilst external training and qualifications can benefit your business, a down side is that the employee leaves soon after … Read More