| Briefing: Pregnant Workers & their specific Health & Safety
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSW) include regulations that protect the health and safety of new and expectant mothers who work. This requirement goes beyond those who you know are pregnant to include workers who could become pregnant as well. The Sex Discrimination Act 1975 also provides that, if an employer fails to protect the health and safety of their pregnant workers, such an omission is automatically considered sex discrimination.
Published Jun 10, 2010 - 04:19 PM
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| Briefing: Statement of Firness for Work
The Government has announced that its new ‘fit note' system (the ‘Statement of Fitness for Work') will be up and running from 6 April this year. Fit notes are set to replace sick notes i.e. medical certificates. It appears that fit notes are coming despite much speculation that they would be quietly dropped. The Social Security (Medical Evidence) and the Statutory Sick Pay (Medical Evidence) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 are intended to come into force on 6 April 2010 despite concerns that this will not allow time for stakeholders such as employers and doctors to familiarise themselves with the new 'fit notes'. Doctors will be able to say a person 'may be fit for some work now' rather than that they are not ready to resume normal work. The new draft form is attached to this newsletter for your information.
Published Jun 10, 2010 - 04:12 PM
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| Briefing: Employment Law Update - February 2010
New Statutory Figures
The annual increase in compensation limits has been announced. The new limits are applicable where the event that gives rise to the award or payment occurs on or after 1st February 2010 and are:
- £380 - the maximum amount of a week's pay for calculating statutory redundancy pay and the basic award ( no change -it went up in October 2009);
- £10,500 - the maximum statutory redundancy payment or basic award i.e. 30 weeks (no change); and
- £65,300 - the maximum compensatory award which can be made for unfair dismissal (down from £66,200).
These increases mean that the maximum total unfair dismissal award is now £75,800 although uplifts can add a further 25%.
Published Jun 10, 2010 - 04:08 PM
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| Briefing: October 2009 Changes
Minimum Wage
The Government has confirmed increases to the National Minimum Wage (NMW) from 1st October 2009 and also amended the main regulations to ensure that tips (e.g. in restaurants) can no longer count towards the minimum wage as was previously sometimes possible.
Published Feb 24, 2010 - 11:50 AM
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| Briefing: Top 10 Tips for Handling the Redundancy Process
Below is an interesting article as it is true to say that I have been having quite a few discussions with clients this year about redundancy dismissals. Redundancies are not a quick and easy solution to reducing financial overheads but if planned properly, and with careful consideration to the reactions that all staff will have, it can be done efficiently. If you are seriously considering having to reduce your headcount please make sure you pick up the phone to me so that we can start to talk in detail on how to go about implementing such a process.
The saying “fail to plan, plan to fail” is really relevant when conducting redundancies, not only for those affected if they feel they have been unfairly selected or the consultation has just been going through the motions, but it can also seriously effect the morale of remaining staff if it is evident that people have been not been treated fairly and with dignity.
Publication Date: 29th May 2008
Source: People Management Magazine
Published Feb 24, 2010 - 11:14 AM
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| Briefing: Retirement Dates
Age discrimination legislation allows that an employer will not have discriminated against an employee by dismissing them for retirement at or over the age of 65. Providing the retirement procedure set out in legislation is followed then such a dismissal will be deemed fair. Where an employee is retired before reaching age 65, the lower retirement age must be objectively justified to avoid an age discrimination claim.
Published Feb 24, 2010 - 11:09 AM
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| Briefing: Health & Safety Issues around Driving at Work
adapted from the HSE website on Vehicles at Work
Recruitment of Drivers
It is worth reminding clients that drivers are not just the typical commercial lorry, van, forklift truck or delivery drivers, that are employed to drive for their living. The following applies to all workers who are employed by you that need to drive in order to carry out job duties. This can therefore typically include sales people, field based engineers, agricultural labourers who work on different fields everyday, managers, or indeed anyone who fairly regularly drives to other locations to attend meetings, exhibitions or even training courses. You do not, however, have to be concerned about driving activities from a worker's home to their normal work place as this is not classed as working time.
Published Feb 24, 2010 - 10:57 AM
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| Briefing: Tackling Work-Related Stress
ALL YOU EVER NEEDED TO KNOW ABOUT TACKLING WORK RELATED STRESS IN ONE EMAIL!
Stress is still a major cause of sickness absence so we have put together a useful summary of the key issues to be aware of on the subject based on HSE guidance. Can we also remind you that we are here to help with a range of our own attendance management and stress management tools and training courses.
Published Feb 24, 2010 - 10:50 AM
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| Briefing: Winter Weather, Vehicles & First Aid
The winter cold, vehicles and first aid are the topics for this first safety newsletter of 2010.
Published Feb 24, 2010 - 10:38 AM
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| Briefing: Safety Update - October 2009
Health and Safety Statistics 2008/09
The latest national statistics on work-related illness and injury in Great Britain, produced by the Health and Safety Executive, have just been released.
Published Feb 18, 2010 - 04:23 PM
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