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Employment Law

Updates to Sexual Harassment Laws – is your business ready?

Updates to Sexual Harassment Laws – is your business ready?

As of 26 October 2024, every employer has a legal duty to take proactive measures to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. This change in the law comes at a time where sexual harassment claims against well-known TV presenters and businessmen are dominating the headlines.

Fire and Rehire Laws – a timely reminder

Fire and Rehire Laws – a timely reminder

A recent Supreme Court decision against Tesco serves as an important reminder of the risks of employers using ‘fire and rehire’ to impose changes to terms and conditions and how this should only be used as a last resort.

Navigating the recent changes in UK Employment Laws - April 2024

Navigating the recent changes in UK Employment Laws - April 2024

For HR managers and businesses alike, keeping abreast of Employment Law changes isn't just advisable—it's imperative. Here, Katie Ash, Head of Employment Law summarises some recent regulation changes which came into effect in April 2024.

Improved Redundancy Protection for Maternity Leave

Improved Redundancy Protection for Maternity Leave

New Regulations came into force on 6 April 2024 in England and Wales to give pregnant employees and those on maternity leave or family-related leave better protection from redundancy.

How to calculate holiday pay in 2024: an update on legislative changes

How to calculate holiday pay in 2024: an update on legislative changes

For many businesses, calculating holiday pay is a straight-forward process. Employers are, within the parameters of the law, able to dictate how many annual leave days or hours a staff member is entitled to.

What is Carer's Leave?

What is Carer's Leave?

Carer's Leave is where employees apply to be absent from work to provide or arrange care for a dependant with a long-term care need.

Changes to statutory Paternity Leave come into force

Changes to statutory Paternity Leave come into force

The Paternity Leave (Amendment) Regulations 2024 have now come into force, bringing with them changes which see fathers or partners of children born or adopted after 6th April 2024 being able to take their paternity leave entitlement in 2 blocks of one week within the first year of the birth or adoption of their child.

Positive Action not Positive Discrimination

Positive Action not Positive Discrimination

People often talk about how certain groups are under-represented within workforces, but what steps can an employer take to redress this? Head of Employment Law at Banner Jones Solicitors, Katie Ash, discusses how employers can use a Positive Action approach to eliminate or reduce discrimination and help these groups access employment or training as outlined in the Equality Act 2010.

An Office Romance – Should a relationship at work be disclosed?

An Office Romance – Should a relationship at work be disclosed?

Disclosing a relationship at work depends on various factors, including company policies, the working environment, and the nature of the relationship. Sara Patel, Employment Law Specialist at Banner Jones, explains some considerations to help employees and employers navigate what can sometimes be a complex situation.

Innocent banter or workplace discrimination?

Innocent banter or workplace discrimination?

Workplace banter is driving a surge in claims against employers with research showing that 66 claimes relating to banter were heard in employment tribunals in 2022.

Minimum wage changes – is your business ready?

Minimum wage changes – is your business ready?

In November 2023 the government announced a minimum wage increase which was focused on protecting low-paid workers’ living standards in light of the current economic climate and cost of living crisis. The changes came in to force on the 1st April 2024 - is your business ready?

Employment Law - Changes employers need to be aware of

Employment Law - Changes employers need to be aware of

As we enter 2024, we’ve been reflecting on some of the significant changes in employment law we have seen over the course of 2023 which employers need to be aware of. These include amendments to the flexible working regime, further deliberations about employment status by the Supreme Court and considerable changes to the calculation of holiday pay. 2024 looks set to be a big year for change in employment law, so here we have done a roundup of key developments in 2023 and have highlighted the ‘ones to watch’ in 2024.

Redundancy Consultation Processes – Advice for Employers

Redundancy Consultation Processes – Advice for Employers

Consultation is a key part of any fair redundancy process. It is therefore vital that employers considering redundancies plan how they will consult their employees about any proposed redundancies at an early stage.

Changes to Flexible Working regulations

Changes to Flexible Working regulations

New regulations extending flexible working rights were put before Parliament on 11th December 2023. From the 6th April 2024, these new regulations came into force and all employees will no longer need to have 26 weeks’ continuous employment in order to make a flexible working request.

Holiday Pay Claims – Supreme Court’s Landmark Ruling

Holiday Pay Claims – Supreme Court’s Landmark Ruling

The UK Supreme Court has ruled that employees can claim for a series of underpayments of holiday pay, even where there has been a gap of more than three months between different underpayment periods. This could lead to many UK workers being entitled to thousands of pounds in miscalculated holiday pay.

Business First Magazine - Autumn/Winter 2023

Business First Magazine - Autumn/Winter 2023

Our quarterly business magazine is packed full of features including creating a supportive workplace, sustainable buildings, legally compliant HR and EDI essentials.

Menopause for thought – what do employers need to know?

Menopause for thought – what do employers need to know?

Women make up a significant portion of the workforce, so it is hardly surprising that gender equality in the workplace has become an important topic in recent decades.

Workers to be given the statutory right to request more predictable working patterns

Workers to be given the statutory right to request more predictable working patterns

The Workers (Predictable Terms and Conditions) Bill received Royal Assent on 18 September 2023, becoming the Workers (Predictable Terms and Conditions) Act 2023. This new legislation will give workers the right to request more predictable working patterns relating to the number of hours, times and days of the week that they work.

Managing changes in equality, diversity and inclusion

Managing changes in equality, diversity and inclusion

Most companies work hard to create a safe and productive workplace, but how can businesses stay up to date on these policy and initiative changes, as well as mitigating risks?

Paternity Leave - Calendar News 15th June 2023

Paternity Leave - Calendar News 15th June 2023

Head of Employment Law at Banner Jones, Katie Ash, features in this recent Calendar News item about why people are campaigning for legal reform.

Can a UK employee work remotely in another country?

Can a UK employee work remotely in another country?

With the rise of remote work opportunities and the desire for more flexible lifestyles, many UK employees are considering the possibility of working remotely from another country, particularly during the summer months. In this article, we will explore whether a UK employee can work remotely in another country, examine relevant UK laws, and discuss important precautions to consider.

Paternity leave – what is it and why does it matter?

Paternity leave – what is it and why does it matter?

Here Katie Ash, Head of Employment Law, explains what Paternity Leave is, what fathers are entitled to and why businesses need to place as much importance on supporting men in the workplace, as they do women.

How will the teacher strikes affect you?

How will the teacher strikes affect you?

The news this week that teachers from the National Education Union had voted for more strike action in England and Wales will have left lots of working parents – and their employers – wondering how they are going to manage if the employee’s child’s school is closed.

Can a flexible working request be reversed?

Can a flexible working request be reversed?

For many, the Covid-19 crisis is starting to feel like a distant memory. However, there are still changes to the way we live and work today that were influenced by the restrictions that were put in place. The biggest example in employment law is the shift to working from home.