Category: Employer Resources

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Employer Resources

Key changes for employers to note in the new tax year 2021/2022

Following the Budget in March and in the lead up to the end of the 2020-21 financial year, businesses have been kept busy with all that has been going on in preparation for opening and covid restrictions so may not have had time to consider some of the other important changes…

An example payslip depicting typical salary deductions
Best practice for employers

Do sleep-in shifts qualify for National Minimum Wage?

The Supreme Court recently ruled in the case of Royal Mencap Society v Tomlinson Blake (“the Mencap case”) that “sleep-in” shifts do not count as work for the purposes of the National Minimum Wage Regulations 2015. This case spells the end of a long running dispute about pay rates…

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Best practice for employers

Updated Shielding Advice – What it means for Employees and Employers?

The guidance states that those who are classed as clinically vulnerable, will no longer be required to shield from 1 April 2021, however, the guidance states that you should continue to follow the guidance, in place at that time, and ensure you maintain social distancing..

A pair of bare feet with "I am on holidays" written on the bottom
Best practice for employers

Can we make staff take annual leave?

We have had a number of enquiries from employees regarding requests from their employers to take annual leave and have had some questions from employers looking for guidance on what to do with employees who have accrued large amounts of holiday.

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Best practice for employers

Employment references

Reference or Confirmation of Employment? I recently received an enquiry relating to an employer providing a bad reference, in respect of a former employee and I was a little shocked, as usually employers only provide a standard reference, which is the dates the employee worked and their job title.

Holding a placard with the word "Contract" written on it
Best practice for employers

What should we include in our employment contracts?

Do your employment contracts adequately cover your legal obligations? In April 2020 some changes were introduced to Section 1 of the Employment Rights Act 1996 meaning that employees (including workers) are to be given a written statement as to the terms and conditions of their employment.

The word furlough stamped on a brown envelope
Best practice for employers

How to return staff from furlough

How to return staff from furlough. As we begin to prepare for exiting lockdown many businesses will be starting to think about re-opening and/or bringing more staff back from furlough. For some industries, their employees may have been furloughed for a considerable period of time…

Paper work, syringe and vial of covid vaccine
Best practice for employers

What should I do if an employee refuses to have the Covid vaccine?

Naturally, employers want their business to return to normal as soon as possible, and we have been receiving several enquiries from employers, asking if they can require employees to have the vaccine. What can employers do if an employee refuses to have the vaccine?

Newspaper with headline mass vaccinations begin
Best practice for employers

How should I approach staff about vaccinations in the workplace?

There are a number of reasons why you should think carefully about how you approach your staff about the Covid-19 vaccinations. One of the main reasons why is because of the potential risk of discrimination arising if there are conflicting views held by employees on the vaccine.